Sculptor; born in
Webster, Me., Jan. 11, 1842; showed a love for art early in life, and during his college career spent much time in drawing and modelling.
It was not until he had made his first visit to
Boston that he saw a statue or had any idea of the art of sculpture, there being, at that time, few examples in
New England.
On leaving college, having made some portrait-busts with success, he decided to devote himself to sculpture.
The Civil War then burst upon the country, and
Mr. Simmons sought the field of operations, not as a soldier, but as a commemorator of the leading soldiers and statesmen of the day. During several years spent in
Philadelphia and
Washington, some thirty generals and statesmen sat to him for their busts, among them
Lincoln,
Grant,
Sheridan,
Meade,
Seward, and
Chase, which gave great satisfaction.
Having received a commission from the
State of Rhode Island to make a statue of Roger
[
191]
Williams for the
Capitol at
Washington, he went to
Rome, where he has since resided.
He has also made for the national
Capitol a statue of
William King, of
Maine, and a G. A. R. monument of
General Grant, and for the
Iowa Circle in
Washington an equestrian monument of
General Logan.
His other works include a second statue of
Williams for the city of
Providence, R. I.; ideal statues of the
Mother of Moses;
Abdiel, the Israelite woman;
Viewing the promised land;
The hymn of praise, etc. He was knighted by the
King of
Italy in 1898.