John Simmons (Oklahoma politician)
John H. Simmons | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edinburgh, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | October 18, 1940 (aged 90) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Public official, banker |
| Years active | Early 1900s–1940 |
| Known for | 13th Mayor of Tulsa (1916–1918) |
John H. Simmons (died October 18, 1940) was an American public official who held the position of the 13th Mayor of Tulsa between 1916 and 1918.
Early life
Simmons was born in Edinburgh, Indiana and received his education in Springfield, Missouri, completing his studies at Henderson Academy located near Springfield.
Career
Following his graduation, Simmons took on the role of deputy clerk in Wright County, Missouri and played a key part in establishing the Wright County Bank in Hartville, Missouri. In 1902, he relocated to Oklahoma where he founded the Cleveland National Bank and served as its president until he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1906. Upon arrival in Tulsa, he assumed the presidency of the City National Bank. After this institution merged with the First National Bank, Simmons transitioned into the vice president position.
A member of the Republican Party, Simmons campaigned for Tulsa mayor in 1912 and later governed the city from 1916 to 1918. His administration was marked by supervising the development of the Tulsa Municipal Building and handling city affairs during the 1917 Tulsa Outrage. After his mayoral term, Governor Robert L. Williams designated him to serve on the Tulsa district exemption board amid World War I. He was also among the founding members of Tulsa’s commercial club, which eventually became the chamber of commerce.
Beyond his political and banking endeavors, Simmons made significant investments in Tulsa’s real estate and oil sectors. He donated $2,500 toward constructing Hotel Tulsa and subsequently concentrated on overseeing his property assets.
Personal life
Simmons was married to Margaret and fathered four children: two sons named John and Hugh, along with two daughters, Irma Clay and Inez. He was affiliated with the First Christian Church.
He passed away at age 81 due to a stroke at his residence in Tulsa on October 18, 1940, and was laid to rest at Rose Hill Mausoleum.