John F. Simms Sr.

John Field Simms Sr. (May 6, 1885 – February 11, 1954)[1] was a justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court from March 15, 1929, to December 31, 1930. He was not nominated for reelection. His son, John F. Simms became Governor of New Mexico in 1955.[2][3]

Born in Washington, Arkansas, Simms "received his law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1906 and was admitted to the Arkansas bar the same year".[1] He was elected to one term in the Arkansas House of Representatives, and thereafter moved to New Mexico in 1914.[1]

On March 15, 1929, Simms and Charles C. Catron were appointed by Governor Richard C. Dillon to two newly-created seats on the state supreme court.[4]

He partnered with James R. Modrall.[5] The University of New Mexico has a lectureship named for him.[6]

Simms married Anne Clapton Schluter. His son was campaigning for the Democratic Party nomination when Simms died. Another of his sons was Dr. Albert G. Simms. He[who?] was pinned against a tree and both his legs broken in an auto accident.[citation needed]

Simms died of a heart attack at the age of 68.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Attorney John F. Simms, Ex-New Mexico Justice", Washington Evening Star (February 12, 1954), p. 18.
  2. ^ "JOHN F. SIMMS, 58, EX-GOVERNOR, DIES". The New York Times. April 12, 1975 – via NYTimes.com.
  3. ^ Melzer, Richard (November 24, 2007). Buried Treasures: Famous and Unusual Gravesites in New Mexico History. Sunstone Press. ISBN 9780865345317 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Governor Appoints Judges", Cavern City Chronicle (March 17, 1929), p. 1.
  5. ^ "About the Firm". Modrall Sperling Law Firm.
  6. ^ "The John Field Simms, Sr. Memorial Lectureship in Law :: School of Law | The University of New Mexico". lawschool.unm.edu.
Political offices
Preceded by
Newly created seat
 Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court
1929–1930 		Succeeded by
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