2004-10-30/2019-11-23 - From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North American Organbuilders, by David H. Fox (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1991). — Born February 10, 1846 in Oriskany, New York; son of Alfred A. Simmons; with his father's firm of Simmons & Clough (reed organs) of Detroit, Michigan, 1867-1874; (briefly partner with Louis Van Dinter in Simmons & Van Dinter of Detroit, Michigan, 1875?); briefly partner with Granville Wood in Wood & Simmons of Detroit, Michigan, 1880; grain dealer; died April 2, 1926 in Orlando, Florida. Source: Michael Friesen, "Frederick J. Simmons, Detroit Organbuilder", The Tracker 33:3 (1989), 18.
2019-11-24/2019-11-24 - From Organ Database Builders editor Stephen Hall, November 23, 2019. — Excerpts from Michael Friesen, "Frederick J. Simmons, Detroit Organbuilder", The Tracker 33:3: The Simmons family was one of the early names identified with the musical trade in Detroit, primarily in the manufacture of reed organs, and has been linked with Louis Van Dinter. Alfred A. Simmons (1808-1894), the founder, moved to Detroit in the 1850s (sources do not agree on the date) and began making reed organs under a variety of successive partnerships: Simmons & Blakeman, Simmons & Whitney, and Simmons & Clough [predecessor of Warren & Clough —Ed.]. Frederick Julian Simmons, son of Alfred, was born in Oriskany, Oneida County, New York, on February 10, 1846. He first appears in the 1865-66 Detroit city directory working as a watchmaker and jeweler for Samuel Hittel, a jewelry store owner. By 1867 Frederick is listed as an "organ maker" with Simmons & Clough, on through the 1874-75 edition, the last time that Simmons & Clough is listed. Frederick is further shown in directories as being a partner of the enterprise beginning in 1868-69 through the 1874-75 edition, while the 1871-72 directory is the last to list Alfred as a partner, indicating that he probably retired in 1872 at age 64. The 1875-76 directory lists Frederick now as an "organbuilder" with no indication of an employer and at a new home address. The timing and revision of occupation in this entry lend credence to his likely association with Louis Van Dinter in 1875. In 1876-77 he worked for W. O. Lumsden & Co., commission merchants, and then in the 1877 and 1878 editions is not listed. Of importance, however, is the definite partnership of Frederick and Granville Wood as "church organ builders" listed in the 1879 directory. Frederick and Granville's firm was newly styled as "Wood & Simmons." However, no details have been discovered about the partnership or any organs built under that name. The partnership existed only about one year (into 1880), and the 1880 directory again shows Granville as working independently. Frederick joined William F. Habbin in 1880 in a commercial merchant partnership titled Habbin & Simmons, and thereafter permanently left the organbuilding profession. He became wealthy and well-known as a grain trader, and later became President of the Detroit Board of Trade. He died in Orlando, Florida, on April 2, 1926 at age 80. Source: Michael Friesen, "Frederick J. Simmons, Detroit Organbuilder", The Tracker 33:3 (1989), 18.
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