James Sylvester Sims came to Palo Pinto County in 1878 with his parents, brothers and sisters, when he was 10 years old and lived around the present town of Gordon until his death, March 30, 1956.  The family left Fredricktown, Missouri, coming all the way in a covered wagon and settling in this county, suffering the hardships of the time and enjoying the pleasures, also Mr. Sims' brother was the first person to be buried in the old Gordon Cemetery.

Mr. Sims was a Methodist and lived to worship in three churches in his town.  He sang in the choirs of each and also singing on other such occasions as he was needed for.