What little we know about Lawyer Eugene Simmons we've collected from various documents that span a period of years. Each new document brings something new to life. So let's start at the beginning.
Lawyer Eugene Simmons married Alice Blanche Stuart before 1894, which was the year their first child, Margaret Irene Simmons, was born. Mary Alice Talbott, Margaret's only daughter, was told that this was a shotgun wedding - and the dates back it up. Alice, you see, was born April 19, 1879, which would have made her 14 when Margaret was born on March 14, 1894. But Latah County, Idaho, records show that L.E. Simmons married Alice B. Stewart (sic) on March 13, 1894. Very suspicious...
They had three children: Margaret Irene, Mary Winefred (Dec. 15, 1896) and Henry Arthur (Aug. 20, 1899). Judith Perkins, Mary Alice's daughter, remembers Mary Winefred as Aunt Polly and Henry Arthur as Uncle Hank.
Lawyer Eugene worked for the railroad, which brought him to Riparia, Wash., the home of Alice Blanche's family, in the first place. That also could explain why he wasn't listed in the 1900 federal census for Riparia. Alice is listed as living in the same household as her father, William H. Stuart; her mother, Mary J.; her two sisters, Minnie W. and Laura V.; her brother, Io; and her three children. (Laura Valeda is actually younger than her nieces Margaret (Maggie) and Mary W. The census says Laura was born in 1887, but she was actually born in 1897.)
Another theory for why he wasn't on the census is he may have been dead. Mary Alice Talbott remembers being told he died of tuberculosis when her mother was 6. That would have been 1900. The census was conducted in June 1900 (Henry A. Simmons was born in August 1899 and the census says he was 10 months old.)
We know he died after Oct. 29, 1899, because that is the date he sent a telegram to his daughter from Spokane.
We have a couple of clues.
First, Margaret Irene Simmons had to file for a delayed certificate of birth in 1957 (the original, in Dayton, Wash., was likely destroyed at some point). On that document she lists Pennsylvania as the birthplace of her father. A supporting affidavit signed by her mother lists his town of birth as Oil City.
Other documents add a twist to his story, however, and show us he did not come straight from Pennsylvania to Riparia.
I have a certificate from the Oregon National Guard, dated July 10, 1890, that appoints "L.E. Simmons Captain Commanding "D" Company 1st Regiment of Infantry." It is signed by Secretary of State Geo. McBride, Adjutant-General J.C. Shofner and Governor Sylvestor Pennoyer.
In the 1889 biennial report of the Adjutant-General to the governor, L. Eugene Simmons is listed as first lieutenant of "D" Company 1st Regiment of Infantry. The company was based in Albina, Col. Chas. F. Beebe commanding the regiment.
Also, the 1890 Portland City Directory, published by R.L. Polk and Co., lists Eugene L Simmons as living in Albina. He worked for the OR&N Co. (railroad) as a telegraph operator, and roomed with J.H. Furlong.
The next step is to look for a death certificate, circa 1900. Spokane County, Wash., is a good first step, followed by Whitman and Columbia counties.
After that, research documents regarding the Oregon National Guard from circa 1890.
I'll keep you posted as to my progress...