Elery Simmons  was born February 19, 1848 in Lobo Twp., Middlesex Co., Ontario, Canada, son of Erastus Simmons and Elizabeth Millard. He accompanied his parents and siblings to DeKalb Co., Missouri, in 1867. In that year, the family farmed and made one crop, then moved t o a farm near Sweet Springs in Saline County. Elery appears to have remained in DeKalb County where he is found in 1870 with his wife and her parents. He had married Nancy Howe. Nancy was born September 13, 1844, in Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas and Louisa Howe. Thomas was a blacksmith from Connecticut. 

Elery died December 13, 1892. In 1900, Nancy was living in Elmwood Township in Saline County. Her son Milton was living with her. He was the only surviving child out of seven. Nancy died March 28, 1911, in Elmwood Twp., Saline Co., Missouri. She was buried the following day in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

Elery Simmons and Nancy Howe had the following known children:

        1. Milton Simmons, born August 1874 in Missouri.

        2. Orvil Simmons, born 1877 in Missouri.

1851 Census, Canada
1861 Census, Canada
1870 Census, Washington Twp., DeKalb Co., Missouri, p. 537
1880 Census, Salt Springs Twp., Saline Co., Missouri, e. d. 61, p. 23 [395C]
1900 Census, Elmwood Twp., Saline Co., Missouri, e. d. 125, sheet 7B, p. 128.
1910 Census
1920 Census
1930 Census
Missouri State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death, Registration District 793, File S6555 [Nancy]