James Simons Jr.

James Simons Jr. (November 30, 1839 – July 4, 1919) was an American lawyer, politician, and newspaper president from South Carolina. He served as Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1882 to 1890 and as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1878 to 1891.

Early life James Simons Jr. was born on November 30, 1839, in Charleston, South Carolina, to Sarah (née Wragg) and James Simons Sr. His ancestors were Huguenots. He attended private schools in Charleston. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and attended the University of Leipzig.

Career On August 22, 1861, Simons enlisted in the Confederate States Army as a first lieutenant of company A, Artillery Battalion, Hampton League (Bachman's battery). He served in the battles of Manassas, Sharpsburg, Suffolk, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg. By the end of the war, he was in command of a battery of light artillery.

Following the war, Simons practiced law. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing Charleston County, from 1878 to 1891. He was Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1882 to 1890.

Simons succeeded Rudolph Siegling as president of The News and Courier in 1894 and remained in the position for 25 years.

Simons died of neuritis on July 4, 1919, at his home on Board Street in Charleston. He was buried in Magnolia Cemetery. His portrait is displayed at the James Simons School on Moultrie Street at King Street in Charleston. The South Carolina Historical Society has a collection of his papers.