Pictorial and Genealogical Record
of Greene County, Missouri • 1893

Together with Bibliographies of Prominent Men of Other Portions of the State, Both Living and Dead


HUGH M. SIMCOX. The intelligence and ability shown by Mr. Simcox, as a progressive tiller of the soil, and the interest he has taken in the advancement of measures for the good of Greene County, Mo., caused him long since to be classed as one of the leading citizens of his section. All that he has achieved or gained has come as the result of his own efforts, and he deserves much credit for the determined way in which he faced and overcame many difficulties. His ancestors came from Ireland and his great grandfather settled in Washington County, Maryland, where they resided for several generations. There William Simcox, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born June 14, 1794. and from there he enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1820 he was married to Jane Marshall of Venango County, Penn., who was born on the 14th of February, 1804. Her father, Hugh Marshall, was a Scotchman and in Hugh M. Simcox is imbued many of the sterling qualities of the Scotch and Irish. To William and Mrs. Simcox the following children were born: Ellen, born November 6, 1821; Nancy, born February 23, 1826; Martha, born March 11, 1823; Mary, born October 28, 1824; William, born March 14, 1830; James, born February 29, 1832; Jane, born June 26,1834; Philetus, born February 18, 1836; John L., born October 12,1838; Hugh M., born May 22, 1841; and Lester, born December 23, 1844. Mr. Simcox was a substantial and wealthy farmer, and lived in Venango County from the time of his marriage until his death. He was an old time landlord and kept an old-fashioned tavern where accommodations were furnished to man and beast in the old fashioned style, and "mine host" and his inn became known for 100 miles around and were decidedly popular with the traveling public of that time. The cattle drovers made it their stopping place on their way from Ohio with their great herds of cattle, and the early Western emigrant here rested on his journey. Mr. Simcox was a Democrat in politics, and was all his life an honored and respected citizen. He assisted his children a great deal and at his death owned 300 acres of good land. He had two sons in the Civil War; John, who served throughout the war, and Hugh M., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Simcox died September 5, 1850, his wife, Jane, dying June 12, 1860. Hugh M. Simcox first saw the light in Venango County, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1841, and there he received a common school education and learned the calling of a farmer when young. At the age of twenty, on the 17th of July, 1861, he enlisted in Company, K., Sixth Regiment of Cavalry of the United States Army, with which he served for three years, being honorably discharged at Cold Harbor, Va., July 17, 1864, with "excellent" written in the blank for character on his discharge. He was in the battles of Williamsburg, Va., May 4-5, 1862; Slaterville, Va., May 9, 1862; Mechanicsville, Va., May 23, 1862; Hanover Court House, Va., May 27, 1862; Black Creek, Va., June 29, 1862; Malvern Hill, Va., August 6, 1862; Fall's Church, Va., September 5, 1862; Sugar Loaf Mountain, September 13, 1862; Charleston, Va., October 7, 1862; Hillsboro, Va., October 27, 1862; Philomont, November 1, 1862; Uniontown, November 2, 1862; Upperville, November 3, l862; Barbour's Cross Roads, November 5, 1862; Amosville, November 7, 1862; Sulphur Springs, Nov. 15, 1862; Fredericks, December 13,1862; Stoneman's Raid, April, 1863; Beverly Ford, June 9, Middlebury, June 18, Upperville, June 21, Fairfield, Pa., July 3, Williamsport, Md., July 6, Funkstown, Md., July 7, Boonsboro, Md., July 8, Antietam, Md., July 9, and Brandy Station, Va., Oct. 11, 1863. Here the record of this patriotic and faithful soldier ceases for he has no record of the other many engagements in which he participated. He was then under Gen. Grant and was in the famous Wilderness campaign. During his career as a votary of Mars Mr. Simcox served under Gens. Stoneman, Pleasanton and under Gen. Sheridan from the time the time he took command of the cavalry until his term of service expired. He was an Orderly on Gen. Sheridan's staff for one year and saw that famous cavalryman almost every day. Although he was in numerous engagements he was never wounded, but on numerous occasions men were mowed down around him. He was always ready for active duty and did not receive a furlough or pass during the three years that he was in the service of his country and was never ill enough to go to the hospital. After his discharge he went to Kentucky, in 1864, as an oil prospector where he remained until 1866, the following year being spent as a farmer of rented land in Iowa. He then came to Springfield, Mo., and soon after settled on 240 acres of land in East Center Township, which adjoined his present farm on the north. During the fifteen years that he resided on this place he made many valuable improvements in the way of farm buildings, fences, etc., and then disposed of it to a good advantage and in 1890 purchased the farm of 160 acres on which he is now living. By industry and thrift he had prospered and he now has an abundance of this world's goods, in the accumulation of which his amiable and intelligent wife has lent no inconsiderable aid. He has always been a hard worker, the life of the farmer has always been congenial to his tastes, and he found it no hardship after the close of the war, to take up the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. He has always been a Democrat in politics, and his wife, whom be married October 15, 1868, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her maiden name was Sarah A. Dale and she was born in Clarion County, Pa., on her father's farm, October 23, 1848, and has borne her husband one daughter, Ada L., who is the wife of Dr. Greenberry Dorrell, a successful physician of Republic, Mo. Mrs. Simcox is a daughter of Solomon and Catherine (Zink) Dale, the former of whom is descended from Dutch ancestors who settled in Clarion County, Pa., where they became wealthy farmers. Solomon Dale and his wife were the parents of ten children: Margaret E., Isaiah K., Mary M., Sarah A., Edith, Harris K., Emma L., Katy L., Cora C. and Monroe W. Mr._____ removed to Greene County, Mo., in 1867 and there he was called from life, his widow, who still survives him, being of Welsh descent. They were earnest members of the Methodist Church and Mr. Dale was highly honored by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

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