CLYDE SHAPEL SIMMONDS

Sacramento County

Biographies

CLYDE SHAPEL SIMMONDS

CLYDE SHAPEL SIMMONDS.--An expert painter who is called upon to do extensive contracting for work in his line, is Clyde Shapel Simmonds, of 2726 Twenty-sixth Street,

Sacramento, whose discriminating taste has influenced to a considerable degree the popular demand for artistic house-painting and interior decorating in his city and community. A native son, he was born at Benicia, on January 11, 1891. His father, William Shapel Simmonds, was born and reared in Moline, Ill., and there lived until his mother came to California with her family, when he was fifteen years of age. W. S. Simmonds' mother was a second cousin of Cecil Rhodes. She brought her family to Sacramento, where she made her own way and raised and educated her children. She was a wonderful woman, of strong character and dominant, wholesome spirit, and had a wide influence for good. During the last three years of her life she was blind. She lived to the age of eighty years, passing away on February 20, 1920.

William S. Simmonds worked in various positions and studied privately; and then he found employment in the plow-works at Benicia. While there he married Miss Kate Demorest, who was born in Michigan. Later he learned painting, and in 1892 he came to Sacramento. Here he worked for a couple of years for others, and then engaged in business for himself. In 1895 Mr. Simmonds began to take an interest in politics, and he became the "big man" in the fifth ward. He was twice a candidate for the city commission, but was defeated. He always took a very active part in local affairs, and made many friends. He died on January 20, 1920, from the effects of a pistol-shot, fired by unknown hold-up men, and his murderers were never apprehended. W. S. Simmonds was a very successful business man and accumulated considerable property. He built the Del Paso Hotel on Twelfth Street, between I and J, back of the Masonic Temple. It was built as a hotel for workingmen. He ran a good, clean house; and the reputation he won has been continued by his estate since his death, and there has never been an arrest in the house. It is now owned by his heirs, four sons, namely: Clyde S., Albert W., Harry and Harold, the last two being twins. The father also owned a flat building at Twentieth and L Streets. He was a Knight Templar and a Scottish Rite Mason, as well as a Shriner.

Clyde Shapel Simmonds was educated in the public schools of Sacramento and at the age of sixteen went to work at electrical work on the capital building. Eighteen months later he took up paper-hanging and decorating with Schneider, Chappel & Jones, then the foremost decorators in Sacramento, and continued there for three years, learning decorative painting in all of its branches; and then assisted his father in his business. When twenty-one years of age he enlisted in the United States navy, serving on the Cheyenne, Colorado and Philadelphia and in the submarine navy until 1914, when he purchased the balance of his time and received an honorable discharge. This he did for the purpose of taking over the business of his father, who had retired. He continued the business and has enlarged it from time to time. Of late, he has done the painting of the East Sacramento School and the Chamber of Commerce building; and he does much work for the Sacramento Northern Railroad. His business has so increased that he is able to give profitable employment to about ten well-trained men.

In Stockton, on January 20, 1916, Mr. Simmonds was married to Miss Doris Irene Pugh. She was born at Perkins, a suburb of Sacramento, and is a daughter of Charles L. and Minnie P. (Robison) Pugh, natives of California. Her father served as justice of the peace of Brighton Township for twelve years. He installed the first incandescent electric lights ever put in in Sacramento city. He is now engaged in well-boring, accomplishing much and lasting good for the irrigation of lands, and for increasing the yield of the soil. He is a Master Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Simmonds have three children, Ellen Maurine, Irene Olive, and William Carleton. Mr. Simmonds is fond of boxing, hunting and fishing. In politics he favors the platforms of the Republican party.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 857. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.