once severed his connection with the Dorchester National Bank
and entered upon the practice of law in his native town of
Cambridge, where he soon built up a large and lucrative prac-
tice. While so engaged he was appointed a Special Commis-
sioner to visit Valparaiso, Chile, and there take the testimony
of witnesses for use in the trial of an important case then
pending in the Maryland Courts, which suit involved the set-
tlement of a large estate, a valuable part of which consisted
of real estate situated in Chile. Mr. Simmons' mission to
South America was successful and the desired testimony was
obtained by him for use in the Maryland Courts, as a result
of which the litigation, which was pending, was speedily con-
cluded. After practicing law successfully in the Courts of
Maryland for twelve years, Mr. Simmons, in the year eighteen
hundred and ninety-four, removed to New York City, where
he successfully engaged in the banking business, first with
N. W. Harris & Co. and later with Berton, Griscom & Co.
Still later Mr. Simmons became a partner in the New York
Stock Exchange firm of C. E. Wells & Co., which latter firm
was shortly thereafter dissolved by the sudden death of the
senior partner, after which Mr. Simmons returned to his na-
tive town of Cambridge, and there resumed the practice of
law.

Although hitherto, he had never engaged actively in poli-
tics, and never sought or held public office, when, in the cam-
paign of 1915, his life-long friend, Emerson G. Harrington,
became a candidate for Governor of Maryland, Mr. Simmons
at once took an active and most earnest interest in Mr. Har-
rington's candidacy, and made the nomination speech, pre-
senting his name to the Democratic State Convention which
met in Baltimore in September, 1915. During the ensuing
Gubernatorial campaign he worked earnestly for Mr. Harring-
ton's election, which was attained in November, 1915.

On the inauguration of Governor Harrington, January 12,
1916, he appointed Mr. Simmons Secretary of State, ever since
which time the latter has devoted his entire time to the duties
of his office.

In 1893 Mr. Simmons married Miss Laura Fletcher, only
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Fletcher, of Cambridge,
Md., and sister of Mr. Frederick H. Fletcher, a well known
member of the Maryland Bar. Mrs. Simmons' father was for
many years Register of Wills for Dorchester County.