Simon Yount, a farmer of Bois Brule Bottom, was born in Bollinger County, Mo., in 1854, and is the son of Catherine Yount, who at that day was the property of John S. Yount.

During the war, and immediately after the proclamation of emancipation, Catherine Yount and her son went to Cape Girardeau where they secured employment. Simon became a waiter for Captain R. Butler of the Second Missouri Cavalry, with whom he remained until 1866. He then sought out his mother, who had removed to Sparta, Ill., and remained with her until his marriage, securing work in different capacities.

On September 29, 1870, he married Ellen Thompson, who was born in Cape Girardeau County on June 21, 1855. She is the daughter of George and Lucinda Thompson, both of whom at her birth were the property of James Davis. After his marriage, he was engaged in farming in Illinois until 1882, when he came to Perry County and resumed his former occupation.

His first crop was washed away by the high waters of the Mississippi River, but the next year he succeeded better and he has persevered until now, he is accounted one of the successful farmers of the Bottom. They have a family of five children: Anna, Mary, Allie, Snowie and Samuel.

The Goodspeed Publishing Company compiled a series of histories of various counties in the U.S. in the late 19th century. The information in the History of Southeast Missouri, published in 1888, was provided by the contemporary residents of Perry County and her neighboring counties. The biographies are a valuable source of genealogical information, despite a few minor inaccuracies. We are glad to present the transcribed biographies here for anyone researching Perry County's history.