After an illness of several years with locomoter ataxia, Capt. William A. Simons, pioneer and soldier, died yesterday afternoon at his home, 743 Mill Street. Captain Simons was one of the earliest residents of Iowa, settling at Mt. Pleasant in 1836, when 4 years of age. Being a nephew of Jeddiah Smith, the first white man to cross the plains to California, much of his early life was spent in emulation of his hardy relative, the captain making three trips to the gold fields. In 1836, after being married to Ruth Houser of Mt. Pleasant, the bridal couple made the final trip westward. On reaching Council Bluffs, then Kanesville, it was found that the Missouri River was too high to cross in safety. In conjunction with another of the party, Simons secured a log cabin on the now famous Indian Creek, and here for five weeks in a little one-room shack, with a pile of provisions in the center as a partition, the newly married couple spent their honeymoon.

When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Simons enlisted in Company H, Twenty-Fifth Iowa Infantry, taking part in twenty-six skirmishes in which the famous company was engaged. Step by step, Private Simons was advanced I rank, until he reached the captaincy of his company, having previously served in every non-commissioned and commissioned office below this rank. This honor is claimed by but two other Iowa veterans. At the conclusion of the war the brevet rank of major was conferred upon Mr. Simons.

Five years ago the deceased came to Council Bluffs from Corning, where he had resided since the war. During the past few years he has been unable to be around to any great extent, his disease confining him to the house. Mr. Simons, who was 74 years of age, leaves five children: Mrs. John Cries, Creston; Mrs. C.I. Lawton, Ogden, Utah; Mrs. W.B. Beal, LaCrosse, Wisconsin; E.A. Simons, Sioux City, and Mrs. V.P. Gay of this city.

Members of Encampment No. 8. U.V.L. and all old solders are requested to meet at the residence, 743 Mill Street, Monday at 8:30 o'clock a.m., to attend the funeral services. The interment will take place at Corning tomorrow afternoon.