Shedrick Simcox and Elmira Jane "Jennie" Sutton

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Husband Shedrick Simcox

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            AKA: Shadrach Simcox 1 2
           Born: 14 Jan 1831 - Franklin, Venango Co, PA 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 27 Feb 1901 - Bullion, Clinton Twp, Venango Co, PA 4
         Buried:  - McKee Cemetery, Clintonville, Venango Co, PA 5

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         Father: John Simcox (1803-1837) 3
         Mother: Lydia Adams (1808-1884) 3 6

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       Marriage: 1887 - ? Venango Co, PA

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   Other Spouse: Sarah Lowrie Anderson (1831-1893) 1 2 - 21 Mar 1854 - Venango Co, PA

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Wife Elmira Jane "Jennie" Sutton ⁷

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            AKA: Almira J. [Unk]
           Born: Nov 1851 - Venango Co, PA
     Christened: 
           Died: 1932
         Buried:  - Pleasantview M. E. Cemetery, Irwin Twp, Venango Co, PA 8

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         Father: Reuben Sutton, Jr. (Cir 1819-1892) 9
         Mother: Mary Smith (Abt 1822-Abt 1862) 9

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   Other Spouse: Wesley G. Dewoody (1852-1882) 4 10 - 23 Dec 1873 4

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   Other Spouse: William H. Balliett (1844-1927) - 1920 - ? Venango Co, PA

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Children

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1 F Anna Dorothy Simcox ⁴

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           Born: 10 Jul 1890 - Venango Co, PA
     Christened: 
           Died: Nov 1982
         Buried:  - Pleasantview M. E. Cemetery, Irwin Twp, Venango Co, PA 11

         Spouse: Joseph Harper McMillin (1884-1962)
           Marr: 4 Apr 1942 - Erie, Erie Co, PA 12

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General Notes: Husband - Shedrick Simcox

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In his day, he was one of the best known oil operators in the Pennsylvania fields, where he was a pioneer prospector and a leading figure in the development which made the region known for its riches. He typified in his own career the fluctuations of fortune which attended many of the most noted exploiters, but his initiative, confidence, undaunted ambition and faith in the possibilities of the locality afforded incentive to so many investors that much of the capital used in the opening of oil lands here was attracted through the success of his activities. His breadth of vision enabled him to comprehend the greatness of the promise held by the new industry, and he had the courage to undertake its realization, and he was ready to meet trials and shoulder responsibilities in order to attain his goal. Honest in business and in all other relations of life, he maintained the strictest integrity through all the vicissitudes of his experiences, and he expected the same of others. In business as in his personal associations he was considerate, kindly and helpful, one who could be counted on to give advice or material assistance when necessary, and he held the affectionate esteem of all who had the opportunity to take the measure of his character from many worthy deeds of his inspired solely by goodness of heart. His closing years were spent in retirement at Bullion, in Clinton Township, Venango County. [CAB, 538]

His father died when he was a boy, and he was reared by his aunt, Patty Simcox, who became Mrs. William Adams, of Raymilton. [CAB, 538]

He commenced work early, serving an apprenticeship to the trade of cabinetmaker with James Black at Anandale, Butler County, PA, and receiving mechanical training that proved very valuable to him later in life. Returning to Venango County after he finished his time with Mr. Black, he settled here, and when oil was discovered was among the first to begin drilling and producing. He was associated with his cousin, H. M. Simcox, later of Springfield, Mo., and they were among the first to take oil by boat to Pittsburgh. This was before the close of the Civil war. Owning the farm on which the village of Summit City was located, in 1876, when the oil excitement in that neighborhood was at its height, he became rich on the great yields of his land, and was not only an extensive producer, but also established an oil refinery at Raymilton. Within a year after it was founded Summit City had a population of one thousand and one hundred and eighty buildings, and the post-office of Bullion was established to accommodate its residents. Mr. Simcox was prosperously engaged in the production of oil for many years, as well as in the cultivation of his farm and the raising of fine horses, cattle and sheep, but eventually he suffered financial reverses through unfortunate investments and the loss of his refinery, which was annexed by the Standard Oil Company. In his later years, as in his prime, Mr. Simcox showed great strength of character, by the manner in which he faced his losses. His disposition did not change with his fortunes, but remained gentle and gracious always, his patience never giving way even under great physical suffering. But he did not long survive the shock of his son's death, and he passed away at Bullion, where he had been living with his children, after several months' illness. [CAB, 538]

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General Notes: Wife - Elmira Jane "Jennie" Sutton

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She remained on the farm until about 1909, when she removed to Franklin, PA.

1 Editor, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 973.

2 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 538, 684.

3 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 538.

4 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 539.

5 Venango County Historical Society, Venango County Pennsylvania Cemetery Records and Early Church Histories, Vol. 2, Clinton Township (Franklin, PA: Venango County Historical Society, 1994), Pg 104.

6 Editor, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 1012.

7 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 539, 704.

8 Venango County Historical Society, Venango County Pennsylvania Cemetery Records and Early Church Histories, Vol. 1, Irwin, Mineral, & Victory Townships (Franklin, PA: Venango County Historical Society, 1992), Pg 96.

9 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 539, 703.

10 Virginia Gordon Russell, The DeWoody Family of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Cochranton, PA: Specialty Printers, 1981.), Pg 10.

11 Venango County Historical Society, Venango County Pennsylvania Cemetery Records and Early Church Histories, Vol. 1, Irwin, Mineral, & Victory Townships (Franklin, PA: Venango County Historical Society, 1992), Pg 104.

12 Venango Co, PA, Marriage License, #22984.