Frank Wesley Simison
Frank Wesley Simison, a farmer of Spring Valley township and operating his mother's farm on which he lives, was born on that farm, as was his father, and has lived there all his life. He was born on October 25, 1855, son of Milo D. and Mary (Kelly) Simison, the latter of whom is still living, now a resident of the village of Spring Valley. She was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1835, and was thirteen years of age when she came to America. She came to the United States with her aunt, Mrs. Mary Gibbons, and thus became a resident of Greene county, where she grew to womanhood and married Mr. Simison.
The late Milo D. Simison, who died at his home in Spring Valley on January 20, 1907, was born on the farm in Spring Valley township now operated by his son, Frank, November 19, 1830, son of John and Nancy (Knight) Simison. the former of whom was born on March 9, 1798, and the latter, May 8, 1807. John Simison was born in Pennsylvania, a son of Robert Simison, a native of Ireland, who had located in the Keystone state upon his arrival in this country, and was a well grown lad when he came with his father and the other members of the family to Greene county, Robert Simison here buying the farm upon which his great-grandson, Frank W. Simison, is now living, paying five dollars an acre for the same, later Robert Simison bought the farm which long afterward came to be known as the Scarff farm and after the marriage of his son John turned over to the latter his original purchase and moved to the second farm, where he spent the rest of his life. On January 1, 1828, John Simison married Nancy Knight, who was born in this county, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Caine) Knight, North Carolinians and pioneers of this county. After their marriage John Simison and his wife established their home on the place on which the former's father had settled on coming to this county and there they spent the remainder of their lives, the latter dying on March 29, 1847, and the former, February 2, 1853, and their son, Milo D. Simison, succeeded to the property by buying out the other heirs.
On January 28. 1855, about two years after the death of his father, Milo D. Simison was united in marriage to Mary Kelly, of Spring Valley township, who, as noted above, was born in Ireland, a daughter of Michael and Ann (Hennegan) Kelly, and after his marriage continued to make his home on the place on which he was born, remaining there until his retirement from the farm in 1888 and removal to Spring Valley, where he spent the rest of his life and where his widow is still living. He was a Democrat and served one term as a member of the village council. To him and his wife were born three children, the subject of this sketch having had two sisters, Nancy Caroline, born on May 13, 1858, who is now living at Spring Valley, widow of Joshua Barnett, and Mary Catherine, who died in infancy.
Frank W. Simison grew to manhood on the farm on which he was born, and on which his father had been born, and received his schooling in the local schools. After his marriage his parents retired from the farm and its management was turned over to him. He established his home there and has since made that his place of residence. He has a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres where he and his sons are carrying on their farming operations. Mr. Simison is a Democrat and has served as director of schools in his home district.
On December 27, 1887, Frank W. Simison was united in marriage to Emma Babb, a member of one of the old families in Spring Valley township, daughter of Smith and Amanda Babb, and to this union three children have been born, Earl M., Imogene and Ormond K., all of whom attended high school and all still at home. Mrs. Simison is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Spring Valley.
From History of Greene County Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, vol. 2. M.A.Broadstone, editor. B.F.Bowen & Co., Indianapolis. 1918