ROBERT E SIMMONS ALTON 1917-1885, Majorville Cemetery Hancock County Illinois

 

Page content last modified: March 18, 2008, added Ethel Leir Robinson's full name; removed the nickname Shorty; corrected the number of children born to A. P. and Ethel.
January 11, 2008, expanded text.

MAJORVILLE   CEMETERY
HANCOCK  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS

 

 ROBERT ELLIS SIMMONS ALTON  
1917-1985

 

 

Author - Marcia Farina

Robert Ellis Simmons was born in Illinois, probably Hancock County, the son of Albert P. Simmons and Alta Ellen Alton.  Alta Ellen died two days after Robert's birth, leaving Albert with six young children, the eldest being just past his 12th birthday.

Albert soon married Ethel Leir Robinson and seven babies quickly arrived before Ethel died late in 1926, yet another catastrophic blow to the family.

In the meantime, Robert had been taken in by Amy Burton Worrell, second wife and widow of Robert E. Worrell.  According to family lore Amy and/or Robert Worrell were "Alton relatives" who raised Robert in Nebraska.  We have yet to substantiate that familial relationship, but indeed, after living in Chili Township, Hancock County, Amy, her adult children and Robert were living in Falls City, Richardson County, Nebraska, in 1930.

In the 1920 Federal Census Robert was named as Robert E. Alton, grandson to Amy; in 1930, Robert E. Alton, lodger & ward.  So for a reason unknown to us and long before he was old enough to have made the decision for himself, Robert E. Simmons was called Robert E. Alton, and that is the name that appears on Social Security records.

Other than the evidence of his military service, we do not know the course of Robert's life over the next almost 60 years.  Nevertheless, it seems he was sent "home" when his remains were returned for burial at Majorville Cemetery.

Robert Alton

FALLS CITY, Neb. - Robert Alton, 68, of Falls City, Neb., a former Fountain Green native, died Saturday in Falls City Community Hospital here.

Graveside services were conducted today in Majorville Cemetery near Fountain Green.  The Rev. Miles Alton officiated.  Fecht Funeral Home, Carthage, was in charge of arrangements.

He was born Jan. 13, 1917, in Fountain Green.  Surviving are three daughters and two sons.

1920 Illinois Census, Hancock County, Chili Township, Bowen, page 73B
enumerated January 28-29, 1920, dwelling #39, Worrell Street

Worrell, Amy A, head, owner, paying on a mortgage, female, white, 60, widow, could read and write, born IL, both parents born CT, spoken English

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Worrell, Mary H, daughter, female, white, 23, single, could read and write, born IL, father born PA, mother born IL, spoke English, bookkeeper, bank, working for wages

Nathan B, son, male, white, 19, single, could read and write, born IL, father born PA, mother born IL, spoke English

Alton, Robert E, grandson, male, white 2 11/12, single, born IL, both parents born IL

1930 Nebraska, Richardson County, Falls City ED 7, page 66B
enumerated April 10-11, 1930, dwelling #256, 1422 Harlan

Worrell, Mary H, head, renter, monthly rental 30, did not own a radio, female, white, 32, single, could read and write, born IL, father born PA, mother born IL, spoke English, stenographer, steam railroad

Amy C, mother, female, white, 70, widow, could read and write, born IL, both parents born CT, spoke English

Nathan B, brother, male, white, 29, single, could read and write, born IL, father born PA, mother born IL, spoke English, occupation - none, whether a veteran of the U.S. military or naval forces mobilized for any war or expedition - yes, WW

Alton, Robert E, lodger - ward, male, white, 13, single, attended school after Sept. 1, 1929, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English

 

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