Simmonds, A. J.

A.J. (Jeff) Simmonds was Curator of Utah State University Special collections and Archives until 1995.

From the description of Cache Valley portfolio, 1971 Apr.-May. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 70288841

A.J. Simmond's interest in his genealogy led him to collect photographs of his ancestors and, eventually, to the publishing of Reluctant Gentile: The Life and Times of Andrew Montom Simmonds, 1844-1925.

Andrew Montom Simmonds, A.J. Simmond's great-grandfather, grew up in England and converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1855. The Simmonds family came to America in 1868 and eventually made their way to Logan, Utah in 1870. In 1873 A.C. apostated from the LDS Church and in 1876 he moved to "The Big Range" near what would later become Trenton, Utah. A.C. raised livestock, farmed irrigated land, and opened a general store. After selling his store in 1905, he spent more time in Logan with his children. He died on August 15, 1925.

From the description of Simmonds family photograph collection, 1800-1980 (bulk 1850-1950) (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 70288904