Ernest Columbus Simons

            Ernest Columbus was on born August 19, 1892, the eleventh child of George and Jeannette Simons. He was born in the Brent district, north of Creston. Ernest had twin brothers just older than him with whom he played as a child, as well as many other older brothers and sisters to help his parents raise him to be a strong hard working lad. He would have gone to school at Mountainview School with his brothers and sisters until he was needed to help with the farm labour.


            Ernest met Florence LaLone and married her on December 22, 1912 in Spokane.


            Ernie and his wife moved to Oswego, Montana.  In the winter of 1918-1919, one of the worst global influenza epidemics hit the area.  Ernie became ill with the flu and, on January 22,1919, ten days after contracting the disease, he died of bronchial pneumonia, a complication from influenza.  He had been hospitalized in Duluth, Minnesota but without modern antibiotic therapy, they were unable to cure him.  His body was returned to Washington and he was buried at Sherman Cemetery.


            A few years later, Ernest’s older brother, Harry, married Ernie’s widow, Florence LaLone. However, this marriage did not last and they were divorced.

Continue reading about the other children of George and Jeannette:

Visit the Table of Contents

Return home

Visit the Table of Contents

Return home

View my Message Board
Free Forums by Bravenet.com