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Andrew came to McHenry County in 1848 with his parents, Platt & Lucinda Simons, and numerous other family members. The Simons family is shown living in Algonquin Township, McHenry County, Illinois in the 1850 census with son, "Jackson" Simons, age 21, listed with an occupation of "Stone Mason".
Andrew Jackson Simons married Charlotte Chittenden on November 4, 1856.** Charlotte came to McHenry County in 1852 with her parents, Linus & Julia Chittenden. Charlotte Chittenden was born June 16, 1838 in Buffalo (Erie County) New York. The couple had four daughters: Emma, Jennie, Aggie, and (unknown). Emma and Aggie lived to adulthood.
During the Civil War, Private Andrew Simons served in the 36th Illinois Infantry, Company H. He served from 1861 to 1865. The 36th Illinois Infantry fought in the battles of Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge (to name a few). After returning from the War, he would always suffer greatly from a rheumatism that would cause him to walk with a cane.
Before he left for the war, Simons purchased property and enough bricks to build a home for his family. But while he was away at battle, the bricks were stolen. Although there was a small portion of cobblestone on the east side of the house, it seems ironic that this expert stone mason lived in a wood, frame house. The home stood on the corner of Virginia Street (Route 14) and Crystal Lake Avenue for nearly 140 years before it was demolished.
Andrew Jackson Simons is credited with building four cobblestone houses in/near Crystal Lake: Wallace House, Walkup House, Pierson House (demolished) and Pingry House (demolished). He also built several brick homes which boast cobblestone foundations: Palmer House, Crystal Lake Academy-Gates House, McMillan House (demolished) and Ellsworth House. The structures listed were all built in the 1850s.
It is assumed Simons learned his trade in Western New York State and brought his skills to McHenry County. The cobblestones used to build the Crystal Lake structures were collected and transported from the shores of Lake Michigan. The stones used in building were about fist-sized and smooth, varying in color. The McHenry County Historical Society has possession of numerous items relating to the Simons family, including: A.J. Simons' trowel, Simons' war trunk, knapsack, canteen, lantern and double-bladed bayonet used during the Civil War.
*A variety of birth years have appeared in various articles. His granddaughter, Virginia Haligus Knutson, provides a written statement saying it was 1829.
**Marriage date provided in both Andrew and Charlotte's obituaries. There is no record of said marriage in McHenry County, Illinois for this couple. Their oldest child, Emma, was born in New York; so it is possible the marriage took place in New York.
Crystal Lake Historical Society, Diana Kenney email 10/17/2020.
Biography of Andrew J. Simons by granddaughter, Mrs. Virginia Haligus Knutson, written in her hand (transcribed). Courtesy McHenry Historical Society, Grace Moline, Historic Sites Chairperson..
SimonsAndrew.jpg ¹ | Simons House-1908.jpg ¹ | Simonds House-ca1908.jpg ¹ | Simonds House-1914.jpg ¹ |
¹ Image courtesy Crystal Lake Historical Society, Diana Kenney email 10/17/2020.