383:, but the market had not yet developed for spring beds. Instead, Simmons manufactured brass beds that were sold domestically and internationally. The Northwestern Wire Mattress Company was incorporated in 1884 and in 1889 the name was changed to Simmons Manufacturing Company. In 1925, Simmons produced the Beautyrest mattress, for which the company is best known. It was sold at three to four times the cost of wire mattresses at the time for $ 39.50 (equivalent to $ 686 in 2023) and four years later had sold more than $ 9 million (equivalent to $ 159,697,674 in 2023) of the mattresses. The company introduced the pull-out bed, Hide-a-Bed, in 1940. By 1941, the company made springs, mattresses, steel beds and furniture and employed about 2,500 men. During
284:
33:
443:
Simmons married Emma E. Robeson from Lake County, Illinois on April 20, 1850, in
Kenosha, Wisconsin. Emma was the daughter of Captain Morris Robeson. Their children were Minnie, Emma, Gilbert, Zalmon and two sons who died during their childhood, Nelson who died at three years of age and Ezra who died
378:
One of his general store customers paid for merchandise with a patent for a woven wire bedspring. At that time, mattresses were made of cotton or horsehair. Simmons took the ideas from the patent and found a way to make the cost of manufacturing affordable. In 1870, Simmons founded what would become
351:
Beginning at the age of 21, Simmons worked as a general store clerk for pioneer Seth Doan for $ 200 (equivalent to $ 7,325 in 2023) per year. Due to Mr. Doan's ill health, Simmons ran the store after six months employment. He bought the store after working there 16 or 18 months. He ran the store
403:
in
Colorado. He was instrumental in stringing telegraph lines alongside railroads and had earlier purchased a fifty percent interest in a telegraph company. After a miserable two-day trip to the top of the mountain on a mule, he thought that there should be a more comfortable and "civilized" way to
360:
Simmons acquired half interest in the
Wisconsin State Telegraph Company in 1856, became a director, and in December 1858 became its secretary and treasurer. In 1864, he was made president. The company became the North-West Telegraphy company when it merged with the Minnesota State Telegraph Company
342:
Among his pursuits, Simmons was the president of the First
National Bank of Kenosha, Northwest Telegraphy Company, and the Rock Island Railway Company. In 1859, he was the president of the Kenosha and Rockford Railway Company, while also working at the Wisconsin State Telegraph Company.
904:
The
National Cyclopædia of American Biography: Being the History of the United States as Illustrated in the Lives of the Founders, Builders, and Defenders of the Republic, and of the Men and Women who are Doing the Work and Moulding the Thought of the Present
365:
Telegraph
Company. At the time that Simmons invested in the company, it was almost worthless and had service only between Milwaukee and Madison. Simmons extended service into remote areas, with lines established through nearly impenetrable swamps and forests.
327:, where Zalmon attended common schools during the winter months. On June 12, 1843, the family moved to Southport (now Kenosha), Wisconsin. Simmons came to Kenosha with US$ 3 (equivalent to $ 110 in 2023) when he was 15 or 21 years of age. His brother was
369:
Simmons was on the board of directors of the
Western Union Telegraph Company. Simmons designed a wooden telegraph insulator and on April 16, 1871, purchased a cheesebox factory that became the Simmons Manufacturing Company to manufacture the insulators.
952:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of Prominent and Representative Men of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin: Containing Biographical Sketches of Business and Professional Men and of Many of the Early Settled
585:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of Prominent and Representative Men of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin: Containing Biographical Sketches of Business and Professional Men and of Many of the Early Settled
1087:
1082:
1102:
462:
Emma died on
October 11, 1899. Simmons died on February 11, 1910, in Kenosha, and his son, Zalmon Simmons, Jr. took over the Simmons Manufacturing Company.
1107:
1097:
283:
1072:
324:
1077:
758:
731:
471:
456:
455:
and donated it to the city of Kenosha in memory of his son who had died in 1890. The building, dedicated on May 30, 1900, is listed on the
425:
328:
44:
452:
405:
361:
in 1865. Simmons was elected president of the new company. He remained president until 1881, when the company leased its lines to the
404:
make the trip. He got the idea of a train from the owner of a hotel where he was staying. Simmons then financed the building of the
658:
331:
who also served in the Wisconsin State Assembly for Kenosha. Rouse was a member of the Republican party and served in 1875.
299:(September 10, 1828 – February 11, 1910) was a businessman, manufacturer, Wisconsin legislator, and mayor of
626:
The Columbian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of the Representative Men of the United States: Wisconsin Volume
408:
in 1889. The railway itself was built by Italian laborers and was operational by 1891. It can still be ridden to the top.
993:
435:, from 1884 to 1886, during which time he refunded its debt of $ 1.75 million (equivalent to $ 59,344,444 in 2023).
316:
161:
417:
242:
94:
421:
88:
676:
Commemorative Biographical Record of Prominent and Representative men of Racine and Kenosha County, Wisconsin
499:
380:
320:
445:
801:
512:
334:
Simmons completed his schooling in Kenosha and then worked as a teacher between 18 and 21 years of age.
1067:
1062:
971:
118:
1092:
879:
720:
Writers' Program of the Work Projects Administration in the State of Wisconsin (January 1, 1973).
1035:
432:
300:
177:
48:
957:
902:
754:
748:
727:
721:
654:
624:
590:
796:
Wayne Heilman (February 1, 2019). "Engines, cars, rail ordered for cog". The Gazette: A1, A4.
396:
998:
814:
495:
850:
950:
583:
1056:
692:
362:
384:
884:
Journal of the Third-Eighth National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic
648:
1002:. Kenosha, Wisconsin (published February 13, 1910). February 12, 1910. p. 7
828:
922:
400:
560:
304:
32:
774:
387:, it produced 2,700 different products needed to support the war effort.
315:
Born September 10, 1828, to Ezra and Mary Gilbert Simmons in Euphrates,
678:. Kenosha, Wisconsin: L.H. Beers & Company. 1906. pp. 554–555.
886:. Chicago, Illinois: M. Umbdenstock & Company. pp. 258–259.
650:
The Telegraph in America: Its Founders, Promoters, and Noted Men
492:
The Telegraph in America: Its Founders, Promoters, and Noted Men
352:
successfully for 12 years, until he sought other interests.
16:
19th century American businessman and politician (1828-1910)
323:, and established a farm. After 1839, the family moved to
698:. State of Wisconsin Legislative Bureau. September 1999
563:. Archives Center, National Museum of American History
511:
Nelke states that Zalmon completed his education in
278:
270:
253:
210:
193:
183:
167:
143:
138:
124:
112:
85:
75:
65:
43:
23:
319:, Soon after Zalmon was born, the family moved to
897:
895:
893:
416:In 1865, Simmons served as the representative of
873:
871:
687:
685:
944:
942:
940:
726:. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 201.
629:. Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 505–510.
561:"Simmons Company Records: 1892–2000. History"
8:
674:"Biographical Sketch of Samuel S. Simmons".
753:. Pikes Peak Library District. p. 58.
653:. Ayer Company Pub. pp. 282–284, 533.
618:
616:
614:
612:
610:
608:
606:
604:
602:
600:
1017:
642:
640:
638:
636:
108:January 1, 1865 – January 1, 1866
31:
20:
880:"Zalmon G. Simmons: The Soldier's Friend"
750:Film & Photography on the Front Range
693:"Wisconsin Legislature members 1849–1999"
554:
552:
550:
548:
546:
544:
542:
540:
538:
536:
534:
532:
1088:People from Montgomery County, New York
1083:Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
917:
915:
528:
483:
810:
799:
723:Wisconsin, a Guide to the Badger State
325:Benton Township, Lake County, Illinois
923:"Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library"
715:
713:
444:when he was 13. Emma and Zalmon were
7:
1103:19th-century American businesspeople
956:. J.H. Beers & Company. p.
589:. J.H. Beers & Company. p.
472:List of mayors of Kenosha, Wisconsin
457:National Register of Historic Places
878:Grand Army of the Republic (1904).
831:. Manitou & Pike's Peak Railway
777:. Manitou & Pike's Peak Railway
453:Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library
1108:19th-century Wisconsin politicians
972:"Gilbert Simmons Memorial Library"
14:
1098:19th-century American legislators
908:. J. T. White. 1916. p. 137.
559:Jennifer Snyder (June 18, 2003).
494:states that he was born and from
925:. The Historical Marker Database
282:
263:Maria (Gilbert) Simmons (mother)
260:Ezra Link Marie Simmons (father)
61:April 1884 – April 1886
747:Tim Blevins (January 1, 2012).
406:Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway
391:Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway
1:
1073:Businesspeople from Wisconsin
424:, serving as a member of the
1078:Mayors of Kenosha, Wisconsin
949:J.H. Beers & Co (1906).
582:J.H. Beers & Co (1906).
431:He later served as mayor of
390:
1041:1884 – 1886
1010:– via Newspapers.com.
994:"Zalmon G. Simmons is Dead"
851:"Kenosha, Wisconsin mayors"
317:Montgomery County, New York
162:Montgomery County, New York
1124:
623:David Inman Nelke (1895).
297:Zalmon Gilbert Simmons Sr.
1043:
1031:
1025:
1020:
290:
243:Zalmon Gilbert Simmons II
134:
101:
54:
39:
30:
422:Wisconsin State Assembly
89:Wisconsin State Assembly
500:Oneida County, New York
399:for telegraph lines to
381:Simmons Bedding Company
374:Simmons Bedding Company
321:Oneida County, New York
274:Businessman, politician
217:Gilbert Maurice Simmons
809:Cite journal requires
647:James D. Reid (1879).
148:Zalmon Gilbert Simmons
513:Lake County, Illinois
395:Simmons surveyed the
222:Nelson Landon Simmons
187:Green Ridge Cemetery
426:National Union Party
119:A. Constantine Barry
855:Political Graveyard
775:"About Pike's Peak"
1036:Kenosha, Wisconsin
1021:Political offices
433:Kenosha, Wisconsin
232:Emma Belle (Lance)
189:Kenosha, Wisconsin
178:Kenosha, Wisconsin
158:September 10, 1828
49:Kenosha, Wisconsin
1051:
1050:
1044:Succeeded by
974:. Landmark Hunter
829:"Along the Route"
760:978-1-56735-297-9
733:978-0-403-02198-7
515:at the age of 18.
490:His biography in
294:
293:
237:Ezra John Simmons
227:Minnie J. (Towne)
171:February 11, 1910
25:Zalmon G. Simmons
1115:
1038:
1026:Preceded by
1018:
1012:
1011:
1009:
1007:
990:
984:
983:
981:
979:
968:
962:
961:
946:
935:
934:
932:
930:
919:
910:
909:
899:
888:
887:
875:
866:
865:
863:
861:
847:
841:
840:
838:
836:
825:
819:
818:
812:
807:
805:
797:
793:
787:
786:
784:
782:
771:
765:
764:
744:
738:
737:
717:
708:
707:
705:
703:
697:
689:
680:
679:
671:
665:
664:
644:
631:
630:
620:
595:
594:
579:
573:
572:
570:
568:
556:
516:
509:
503:
488:
412:Political career
397:Englemann Canyon
286:
174:
157:
155:
139:Personal details
127:
115:
106:
91:
78:
68:
59:
35:
21:
1123:
1122:
1118:
1117:
1116:
1114:
1113:
1112:
1053:
1052:
1047:
1040:
1033:
1029:
1016:
1015:
1005:
1003:
999:Chicago Tribune
992:
991:
987:
977:
975:
970:
969:
965:
948:
947:
938:
928:
926:
921:
920:
913:
901:
900:
891:
877:
876:
869:
859:
857:
849:
848:
844:
834:
832:
827:
826:
822:
808:
798:
795:
794:
790:
780:
778:
773:
772:
768:
761:
746:
745:
741:
734:
719:
718:
711:
701:
699:
695:
691:
690:
683:
673:
672:
668:
661:
646:
645:
634:
622:
621:
598:
581:
580:
576:
566:
564:
558:
557:
530:
525:
520:
519:
510:
506:
489:
485:
480:
468:
441:
414:
393:
376:
358:
349:
340:
338:Business career
313:
266:
249:
206:
200:Emma E. Robeson
188:
176:
172:
159:
153:
151:
150:
149:
130:Franklin Newell
125:
113:
107:
102:
92:
87:
76:
66:
60:
55:
26:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1121:
1119:
1111:
1110:
1105:
1100:
1095:
1090:
1085:
1080:
1075:
1070:
1065:
1055:
1054:
1049:
1048:
1046:Emory L. Grant
1045:
1042:
1030:
1027:
1023:
1022:
1014:
1013:
985:
963:
936:
911:
889:
867:
842:
820:
811:|journal=
788:
766:
759:
739:
732:
709:
681:
666:
659:
632:
596:
574:
527:
526:
524:
521:
518:
517:
504:
482:
481:
479:
476:
475:
474:
467:
464:
440:
437:
418:Kenosha County
413:
410:
392:
389:
375:
372:
357:
354:
348:
345:
339:
336:
312:
309:
292:
291:
288:
287:
280:
276:
275:
272:
268:
267:
265:
264:
261:
257:
255:
251:
250:
248:
247:
245:
240:
238:
235:
233:
230:
228:
225:
223:
220:
218:
214:
212:
208:
207:
205:
204:
201:
197:
195:
191:
190:
185:
181:
180:
175:(aged 81)
169:
165:
164:
147:
145:
141:
140:
136:
135:
132:
131:
128:
122:
121:
116:
110:
109:
99:
98:
86:Member of the
83:
82:
81:Emory L. Grant
79:
73:
72:
69:
63:
62:
52:
51:
47: Mayor of
41:
40:
37:
36:
28:
27:
24:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1120:
1109:
1106:
1104:
1101:
1099:
1096:
1094:
1091:
1089:
1086:
1084:
1081:
1079:
1076:
1074:
1071:
1069:
1066:
1064:
1061:
1060:
1058:
1039:
1037:
1024:
1019:
1006:September 18,
1001:
1000:
995:
989:
986:
973:
967:
964:
959:
955:
954:
945:
943:
941:
937:
924:
918:
916:
912:
907:
906:
898:
896:
894:
890:
885:
881:
874:
872:
868:
856:
852:
846:
843:
830:
824:
821:
816:
803:
792:
789:
776:
770:
767:
762:
756:
752:
751:
743:
740:
735:
729:
725:
724:
716:
714:
710:
694:
688:
686:
682:
677:
670:
667:
662:
660:9780405060564
656:
652:
651:
643:
641:
639:
637:
633:
628:
627:
619:
617:
615:
613:
611:
609:
607:
605:
603:
601:
597:
592:
588:
587:
578:
575:
562:
555:
553:
551:
549:
547:
545:
543:
541:
539:
537:
535:
533:
529:
522:
514:
508:
505:
501:
497:
493:
487:
484:
477:
473:
470:
469:
465:
463:
460:
458:
454:
451:He built the
449:
447:
439:Personal life
438:
436:
434:
429:
427:
423:
419:
411:
409:
407:
402:
398:
388:
386:
382:
373:
371:
367:
364:
363:Western Union
355:
353:
346:
344:
337:
335:
332:
330:
329:Rouse Simmons
326:
322:
318:
310:
308:
306:
302:
298:
289:
285:
281:
277:
273:
269:
262:
259:
258:
256:
252:
246:
244:
241:
239:
236:
234:
231:
229:
226:
224:
221:
219:
216:
215:
213:
209:
202:
199:
198:
196:
192:
186:
184:Resting place
182:
179:
170:
166:
163:
146:
142:
137:
133:
129:
123:
120:
117:
111:
105:
100:
96:
90:
84:
80:
74:
70:
64:
58:
53:
50:
46:
42:
38:
34:
29:
22:
19:
1032:
1028:O. S. Newell
1004:. Retrieved
997:
988:
976:. Retrieved
966:
951:
927:. Retrieved
903:
883:
858:. Retrieved
854:
845:
833:. Retrieved
823:
802:cite journal
791:
779:. Retrieved
769:
749:
742:
722:
700:. Retrieved
675:
669:
649:
625:
584:
577:
565:. Retrieved
507:
491:
486:
461:
450:
442:
430:
415:
394:
385:World War II
377:
368:
359:
350:
341:
333:
314:
296:
295:
173:(1910-02-11)
126:Succeeded by
103:
77:Succeeded by
71:O. S. Newell
56:
18:
1068:1910 deaths
1063:1828 births
978:January 17,
929:January 17,
860:January 17,
835:January 17,
781:January 17,
702:January 17,
567:January 17,
203:(died 1893)
160:Euphrates,
114:Preceded by
67:Preceded by
1093:Pikes Peak
1057:Categories
523:References
446:Unitarians
401:Pikes Peak
311:Early life
271:Occupation
154:1828-09-10
1034:Mayor of
356:Telegraph
305:Wisconsin
279:Signature
104:In office
93:from the
57:In office
953:Families
586:Families
466:See also
347:Merchant
211:Children
97:district
420:in the
301:Kenosha
254:Parents
194:Spouses
95:Kenosha
757:
730:
657:
696:(PDF)
496:Marcy
478:Notes
1008:2024
980:2015
931:2015
905:Time
862:2015
837:2015
815:help
783:2015
755:ISBN
728:ISBN
704:2015
655:ISBN
593:, 7.
569:2015
379:the
168:Died
144:Born
45:26th
1059::
996:.
958:20
939:^
914:^
892:^
882:.
870:^
853:.
806::
804:}}
800:{{
712:^
684:^
635:^
599:^
531:^
498:,
459:.
448:.
428:.
307:.
303:,
982:.
960:.
933:.
864:.
839:.
817:)
813:(
785:.
763:.
736:.
706:.
663:.
591:6
571:.
502:.
156:)
152:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
