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(I have not researched the Sims family, but am sharing the information I have regarding this family.)
John Sterling Sims was born September 30, 1873, in Arkansas, the son of William J. Sims and Alice F. (last name unknown).
The Sims family settled in Conway County, Arkansas prior to 1880.
The 1880 Conway County census, Lick Mountain Township, shows 6 year old John with his parents and siblings.
John's mother died between August 1883 and late 1887, and his father married Mrs. Mary M. Reed in January 1888. Mary had at least two children from her first marriage.
John grew up in the Center Ridge and Grandview area of Conway County.
John married Sarrah M. McNew on July 25, 1891, in Conway County. Sarah McNew was born September 18, 1876, in Arkansas, the daughter of John C. McNew and Liza B. (last name unknown). John McNew was born May 17, 1845, in Alabama. He served in Co. F, 6th Tennessee Mounted Infantry in the Civil War. John died August 19, 1926, and is buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Center Ridge, in Conway County.
The 1880 Conway County census, Lick Mountain Township, shows John McNew, head, 35, a farmer; Isabella, wife, 32; James, son, 12; Mary, daughter, 6; Sarah, daughter, 4; and Florence, daughter, 2 years old.
The 1900 Conway County census, Lick Mountain Township, shows John S. Sims, 26, born September 1874, married 8 years, a farmer; Sarah M., wife, 23, born September 1876, married 8 years, had given birth to 4 children, 3 children still living; William F., son, 7, born September 1892; Jennie A., daughter, 5, born May 1895; and Alice D., daughter, 1, born June 1898. Living with the family was Willie T. Sims, brother, 21, born January 1879; and Alice V. Sims, sister, 16, born August 1883.
The 1910 Conway County census, Lick Mountain Township, shows John S. Sims, 36, married 19 years, a farmer who owned his farm; Sarah M., wife, 33, had given birth to 6 children, 4 children were living; Willie F., son, 17; Jennie A., daughter, 14; Alice B., daughter, 12; and Mary O., daughter, 10. Living with the family was Alice A. Sims, sister, 25, single, born in Arkansas, father and mother born in Georgia. Living next door was John's father and step-mother.
The 1920 Conway County census, Lick Mountain Township, shows the family still living near Center Ridge. The census shows John S. Sims, 47, owned his farm free of mortgage; Sarah, wife, 43; Willie F., son, 27, single, Jennie, daughter, 24, single, Alice, daughter, 21; Mary, daughter, 19; and Harry Hill, son, 15, born in Tennessee, father and mother born in Tennessee. Harry was either adopted or raised by the Sims family. Living next door was John's father and his sister, Alice.
The 1930 Conway County census, Lick Mountain Township, shows John S. Sims, owned his farm, 56, married at 18; Sarah M., 53, married at 15; and Jennie, 33, single.
The Sims family lived and farmed near Center Ridge for many years. Two of the Sims daughters, Alice and Mary, became school teachers and taught in various Conway County schools for many years. None of the three daughters ever married.
Sarah died May 5, 1958, in Conway County. John died there June 4, 1964. They are buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Center Ridge in Conway County.
Children of John Sims and Sarrah McNew
1. William F. Sims, b. Sept 1892, Conway Co, AR
2. Jennie A. Sims, b. May 5, 1895, Conway Co, AR; d. Apr 25, 1974, Conway Co; bur. Pleasant Hill Cem; never married
3. Alice D. Sims, b. June 17, 1898, Conway Co, AR; d. Dec 18, 1963, Conway Co; bur. Pleasant Hill Cem; never married
4. Mary O. Sims, b. Sept 30, 1900, Conway Co, AR; d. July 1, 1967, Conway Co; bur. Pleasant Hill Cem; never married
5. Thelmer Sims, b. May 31, 1904, Conway Co, AR; d. Jan 31, 1907, Conway Co; bur. Pleasant Hill Cem