Submitted by: John and Cindy McCachern
Jesse Sims pension records:
1. Oct. 12, 1889--First Call on Adjutant General, U.S.A.--Claim No. 703159--Jesse Simms, G" 123" ILL. Mt'd. Inf.
2. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions. Oct. 12, 1889--I have the honor to request that you will furnish from the records of the War Department a full Report as to the service, disability, and hospital treatment of Jesse Simms (or Sims), who, it is claimed, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 and served as Pvt in Co. G. 123 Reg't Ill. Mt'd Inf. and was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., June 18, (or 28) 1865. He was disabled by disease of lungs and chronic diarrhea, enlisted at Mumfordsville, Ky. Oct. or Nov. 1862. very respectfully, James Tan (John C. Black is marked out) commissioner
3. War Department, Record and Pension Division. Washington D.C. Oct. 14, 1889. Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions, Jesse Sims Pvt. was enrolled on the 14 day of August, 1862, at Martinsville, Ill, in Co. G. 123 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve three years, on during the war. On the Muster Roll of Co. G. of that Regiment for the months of Sept. and Oct., 1862, he is reported present and is so reported on subsequent rolls in Apr. 30, 65. Mustered out with Co. June 28, 1865 at Nashville, Tenn. Return for Nov. 62 does not report him absent. No evidence of disability.
4. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C. Dec. 10, 1897. Mr. Jesse Sims, Ridge Farm, Now Charleston, Ills. Jesse states the following info; wife, Sarah Isabel Sims, Maiden name Sarah Isabel Bishop; married Sep. 21, 1887 in Paris, Illlinois by the county Judge A.J. Hunter. Was previously married to Sena Gilla Ann Fowler, she died in Terre Haute, Ind. Oct. 27, 1884; states children--First Wifes Wm. Edward, Hershell, Louis, Clara, James. Second wife, Nellie, born Aug. 19, 1887, Jesse born Jan 9. 1891, Walter born June 19, 1893, Sarah Catharine born March 13, 1896. The record of births of first wifes children being lost, cannot give the dates of birth. Date of reply--Dec. 21, 1897. Mr. Jesse Sims is blind and cannot write. Jesse Sims by Joshua Ricketts
5. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C. January 15, 1898 Jesse Sims, Charleston, Illinois. Jesse states he is married to Sarah B. Bishop on September 23, 1867(this is not correct) in Paris, Ill by A.J. Hunter (County Judge); says he was previously married to Senna G. Fowler, she died Oct., 1874 (not correct); states children--Edward born Feb. 13, 1868, Herschel born Jan. 16, 1870, Eliza born Sep. 1874, Clara born Nov. 1876, James born June 1878, Nellie born Aug. 19, 1888, Jesse born Jan. 9, 1890, Walter born June 19, 1892, Sarah C. born Mar. 13, 1896; date of reply July 5, 1898; witness Joshua Ricketts, Justice of the Peace.
6. Declaration for invalid Pension--On this 13 day of January, 1892 Jesse Sims aged 52 years, a resident of the town of Charleston was enrolled on the 1 day of August, 1862 in Co. G. 123 Regt. Ill. Inf. was honorably discharged at Springfield, Ill, on the 28 day of June, 1865. That he is totally unable to earn a support by reason of being entirely blind in both eyes, caused from neuralgia incurred from a severe hurt on right side of head being thrown from a mule while near Murfeesboro Tenn. in fall of 1862. Also has chronic diarrhea and Catarrh of head.; He is pensioner under Cert. No. 483,757 for chronic diarrhea only getting $4. per month. He appointed Wm. T. Crawford, Sullivan Ind. his attorney.
7. Drop Order and Report--Nov. 9, 1911, Jesse Sims, died Oct. 25, 1911. He was last paid $30 per month to Oct. 4, 1911.
8. Declaration for Widow's Pension, Nov. 1, 1911; Sarah B. Sims, 56 years, resident of Paris, Ill, widow of Jesse Sims. Sarah lists children at home Sarah C. Sims born March 19, 1897, Albert Sims born Jan. 8, 1901, Ernest Sims born Sept. 8, 1902. She appoints John McDaniel of Paris her attorney. Sarah signs with an X. Attest: Walter Sims, S.A. Sims.
9. Marriage Certificate; State of Illinois, County of Edgar. I Chas. Crum, County Clerk in and for said County and State, hereby certify that Mr. Jesse Sims and Miss Sarah B. Sims were duly married on the 21st day of September, 1887, by A.J. Hunter, Co. Judge as appears of record in my office. Given under my hand and official seal this, the 1st November, 1911. Chas. Crum, County Clerk
10. Certificate of Death Sarah Bell Sims, residence 308 South High, Paris, Ill.; white, widowed, female; husband, Jessie Sims; date of birth July 12, 1856; 79 yrs., 8mos., 0 days; housewife for 59 yrs; birthplace unknown; parents Henderson Bishop born in Virginia and Elizabeth Gess born in Kentucky; informant, Sylvester Sims, Paris, Ill.; place of burial, Edgar Cem.; undertaker, W.L. Blume, Blume Funeral Home, Paris, IL; date of death March 12, 1936; died from Myocardial Failure; contributory causes, Chronic Nephritis, Arterio Sclerosis; doctor W.J. Menke.
Obituary of Jessie Sims (26 October 1911, Paris (IL) Daily Beacon)
Obituary of Jessie Sims
Blind Veteran of Civil War is Dead
Jessie Sims Succumbs to Complication of Diseases at Age of Seventy
Jessie Sims, an aged resident of this city, died at 5:30 o'clock Wednesday evening of a complication of diseases, aged 70 years. Mr. Sims has been for many years a resident of Paris and was quite well known by its citizens. During the Civil War, he served with Co. G, 123rd Ill. Inf., and received an honorable discharge from the services. He became afflicted with blindness many years ago, yet always retained a jovial spirit and tried to make the best of life. Aside from his wife, he is survived by the following children: Earnest, Albert, Walter, and Harry, residing at home, and Mrs. Nellie Warmouth of near Horace. The funeral will take place from the family residence at 10:30 o'clock Friday morning. Rev. King, pastor of the U. B. church officiating. Burial will be made in Edgar cemetery.