JOHN W. SIMONS, treasurer of the investment house of William C. Simons, Inc., of Springfield, Massachusetts, is well known in the business and social spheres of Springfield. He is the son of William C. and Mary E. (Gunn) Simons, the father the president and senior member of the afore-mentioned concern. (See Simons, William C. biography.)
John W. Simons was born in Springfield, in June, 1886. His education was received in the public schools of Springfield, in Groton School, from which he graduated in 1905, and in Harvard University, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1909. Immediately after leaving college he entered the security department of Stone & Webster, in Boston, holding this position for about two years. He then became associated with his father as Springfield correspondent and representative of Lee, Higginson & Company, Bankers and Brokers, of Boston. Although maintaining connections with the Boston firm, the Springfield business has always been a private enterprise, owing its substantial growth and prosperity to the initiative and sound business judgment of its local officials, and in 1921 it was incorporated under the name of William C. Simons, Inc., the elder Mr. Simons becoming president and his son treasurer of the reorganized concern.
During the World War Mr. Simons interrupted his business career to enlist in the Ordnance Department of the United States Army. He was commissioned first lieutenant in July, 1917, and sailed overseas in November of that same year. After being in France for a year of service, with headquarters at A. P. O. 702, Paris, he received a captain’s commission in November, 1918, about the time of the armistice. In April, 1918, he received his honorable discharge, having made a record of which he may well be proud and gained a broad experience in the service. Mr. Simons is a popular member of a number of social clubs, including the Springfield. Country Club, the Longmeadow Country Club, the Nayasset Club of Springfield, the Springfield University Club, and the Harvard Club of Boston. His religious affiliations are with the Episcopal Church. Mr. Simons has one child, Mary Elizabeth Simons, born in Springfield, on January 24, 1917.