Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

SIMON SIMONSON

A native from the "Land of the Midnight Sun" is Simon Simonson, he having been born in Norway in 1835, and remained in his native land until 1862 when he emigrated to the United States and in 1879 he bought his first forty acres in Saugatuck township, just north of the village. The land was an unbroken forest but with axe and ox-team he soon had it cleared and crops planted.

In 1806 he was married to Miss Marie Olsen, who, too, was born in Norway. She was the daughter of John and Malena Olsen and came with them to America in 1855. Her mother died that year and her father married Engar Peterson. He was the owner of eighty acres of land upon which he resided until his death in 1884.

Mr. and Mrs. Simonson were industrious and of untiring energy but their efforts met with success and from time to time added to their holdings until their estate measured 160 acres.

During the peach growing era they were among the extensive growers of this region, having had eighty acres set to peaches and apples.

They earned their success and enjoyed their comfortable home and their children, of whom seven were born; Charles, Caroline and Carrie are deceased, while living to comfort them in their old age, which they did, were Herman, Sophia, Josephine, and Mattie.