Thomas E. Simmerman, Jr.

THOMAS E. SIMMERMAN, JR. One of the earliest impressions made upon visitors from other lands as they endeavor to understand America is the preponderance of educated, serious-minded, dependable young men who adequately fill responsible positions in the business world here. They are capable and reliable, and maintain an efficiency that in other countries is expected only from those of long experience. Among the successful young business men of Wythe County, none are held in greater confidence or esteem than Thomas E. Simmerman, Jr., cashier of the Bank of Max Meadows, Virginia, and a veteran of the World war.

Mr. Simmerman belongs to an old Wythe County family and was born on the family estate situated six miles east of Wytheville, on May 18, 1896, a son of Thomas E., and Mamie (Hanson) Simmerman, and a grandson of Thomas H. and Ellen Victoria (Peck) Simmerman, the latter of whom was a native of Botetourt County, Virginia. Thomas 11. Simmerman was born in Wythe County in 1828, and died on leis home farm in 1883. He acquired 2,000 acres of land, which still remains in the family.

Thomas E. Simmerman, Sr., was born on his father’s farm, the home the latter had established six miles east of Wytheville, and has resided here all his life. he is one of the extensive cattle raisers of this section and owns and operates 2,000 acres of valuable, land. Ills birth took place May 22, 1871, and since he reached mature years, lifts been an important factor in the business life of the county. He is a director in the Bank of Max Meadows, and a director also in the Farmers Bank of Southwest Virginia at Wytheville. Mr. Simmerman has never had any political ambition, but is strong in his adherence to the democratic party, and is a member find liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church. He married Miss Mamie Hanson, who was born at Max Meadows, Virginia, in 1872, and Thomas E., Jr., is the eldest of their family of eight children, the others being: Sidney, who is a resident of Max Meadows; Elbert, who died at the age of seventeen years; William II., who is a student in Hampden-Sidney College; George 13. and Henry P., both of whom are students iii the Max Meadows High School; and Mary C. and Ellen V.

Thomas E. Simmerman was primarily educated in the local schools, and after attending the Max Meadows High School, entered Fishburne Military Academy at Waynesboro, Virginia, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1915. He then spent one year at Hampden-Sidney College, and early in 1917 was graduated from Eastman’s Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York. Having a natural inclination toward the field of business, he had specially prepared himself, but before his ambition had been gratified his beloved country had become involved in war and, unflinching, he answered the call of duty. In May, 1917, Mr. Simmerman volunteered for service, find for nine months following he served, as a sergeant, in the United States Coast Artillery at Fortress Monroe. He was their sent to the Third Officers’ Training Camp at Camp Lee, Virginia., from which he was graduated us second lieutenant in field artillery, and received his commission on June 1, 1918, at Camp Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina. In August, 1918, lie was transferred to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where in October, 1918, lie was graduated in the thirty-second class, being then transferred to Camp Meade, Maryland, and following the signing of the armistice. was honorably discharged in December, 1918.

His duty to his country thus honorably performed, Mr. Simmerman gladly returned to civil life, and for five months prior to accepting his present responsible bank office was with the Wythe County Supply Company. In the meanwhile negotiations had been going forward aria were completed for the establishing of a state bank alt Max Meadows, to be known as the Bank of Max Meadows, and the institution was opened for business on August 10, 1920, with the following officers: James M. Graham, president; J. Mack Dickey, vice president, and Thomas E. Simmerman, Jr., cashier. The capital stock of this bank is $30,000; surplus and profits, $17,500; deposits, $150,000. The bank lifts prospered from the first, being amply financed and ably and conservatively managed. Mr. Simmerman in his position as cashier is the active head of the bank, and much of its very evident prosperity may be attributed to his business sagacity and to his pleasant, courteous personality.

Mr. Simmerman bas taken no very active part in political matters, local or otherwise, but a banker is very apt to be a wide awake and observant citizen, and when occasion arises he is not found lacking in expressing commendation or criticism. He votes the democratic ticket. He belongs to Anchor Hope Presbyterian Church at Max Meadows, and is a deacon in the same. In masonry he is a member of Wytheville Fratenal Lodge No. 82, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Wythe Chapter No. 51, Royal Arch Masons, both of Wytheville, and belongs also to Max Meadows Lodge No. 140, Odd Fellows. Mr. Simmerman is unmarried.