SIMONDS, Daniel, manufacturer and
philanthropist, b. in Fitchburg, Mass., 18 Sept., 1847; d. at Larchmont, N. Y., 5 May, 1913. He was a son of Abel and Jane (Todd) Simonds, and was a descendant of sturdy North of England ancestors, whose noble qualities were manifest in all generations of the family.
The elder Simonds early located in Fitchburg, where, in 1832, he founded the Simonds Company, manufacturers of scythes. Later, he added also other edge tools and knives to his line of products, conducting a constantly growing establishment, in which his son was thoroughly trained in the fundamental details of the business. Daniel Simonds received a thorough education in the excellent schools of his native city, and at the Comer Commercial School of Boston, and began his business career in the employ of his father. He started as a clerk in the office, but, quite as much through his native force of character and thorough business capacity, as through his relationship with the founder of the enterprise, he progressed steadily to its executive headship. With the retirement of Abel Simonds in 1864, the firm became Simonds Bros. and Company, and in 1868 was incorporated under the style of Simonds Manufacturing Company, with a capital stock of $50,000. Immediately afterward a new and larger manufactory was built; and this marked the beginning of a constantly increasing business. Mr. Simonds was elected vice-president and treasurer in 1875, and president in 1888. Under his able guidance the business steadily increased, the capital stock being ultimately increased to $500,000, and the surplus so constantly augmented, that, at the time of his death, it totaled well over $1,000,000. In 1874 the
