People - 2 - Boston Mill Society

Home Vision Concept People Mills Houses Sacks Links News Contact Join Us

William "Uncle Billy" Simmons came to America from London, England in 1856. He was a miller by trade. He worked in Springfield, met and married Mary there. He bought-out the interest of Brandon and Crawford in Boston Mills in 1866 and with other members of the family, operated Boston Mills until Thompson bought out Finley in 1891.

Mary Simmons was born in Scotland and came to America with her family when she was one year old. She married Simmons in Springfield in 1859 bringing several children by previous marriage.

William Simmons, Jr.

1836 -- 1909

Mary Simmons

1825 -- 1903

Both Simmons photos Courtesy Karl Arnold

At various times the following members of the Simmons family were at Boston Mills: William Simmons, Sr. [1806-1881] and his wife, Sarah Simmons [1813-1889]. These are the parents of William Simmons, Jr. and his two brothers: Alfred A. Simmons and Edwin James Simmons, both of whom were part owners of Boston Mills for a time. All these family members were from London, England. Photos are not currently available.

Sophia Thompson, 1853 - 1928

Martin Thompson, 1846 - 1910

Martin Thompson came to America from Schleswig-Holstein in 1870. He was a miller and millwright by training.

Sophia came to America from Mecklenburg in 1870. She met and married Martin in Iowa.

In 1891, Martin Thompson bought R.C. Finley’s share. In 1897 he completed payment to Simmons and became sole owner of Boston Mills. Martin converted the mill to use roller milling machinery and operated the business until his death in 1910.

Photo Courtesy Martin E. Thompson, Sr