Kentucky:  A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 3rd ed., 
1886. Monroe County.

WILLIAM A. SIMMONS was born May 10, 1843, in Hawkins County, Tenn. At 
the age of nine years he removed with his parents to Monroe County, Ky., 
where he now resides.  At the beginning of the war he enlisted in 
Company G, Ninth Kentucky Infantry.  After serving with this regiment 
for a short time he was, on account of sickness, discharged from 
service, and in 1863 re-enlisted, this time in Company C, Thirty-seventh 
Kentucky Mounted Infantry, first as a private, and was afterward 
promoted sergeant, and later served on detailed duty as hospital 
steward.  He was in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Mt. Sterling and 
Winchester, besides numerous smaller battles and skirmishes.  His 
father, James G. Simmons, was born May 13, 1801, and came to Kentucky in 
1852, where he purchased 500 acres of land and settled with his family.  
He was a farmer, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 
politics a strong Republican.  He was a son of James Simmons, of North 
Carolina, one of the brave and unselfish men who fought to free this 
country from British tyranny, for which he afterward received a pension 
from the Government he assisted in establishing.  James G. Simmons (the 
father of our subject), married Sallie Gillenwaters. From this union 
sprang five sons and five daughters.  William A. Simmons married, 
September 7, 1871, Melissa E., daughter of Samuel and Hannah Yokley. To 
them have been born Laura F., James S., William J. K., Thomas M. K., 
John T. C. and Sallie L.  Mr. Simmons' early advantages for obtaining an 
education were limited, but by close application to study and some 
little assistance received in school, he has obtained a fair English 
education.  He is the owner of a fine farm of 122 acres in good 
condition.  He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., also of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in politics a Republican.

Gillenwaters Simmons Yokley
=
Hawkins-TN NC

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/monroe/simmons.wa.txt