The Alva J. Simmons Family
In December of 1912, A.J. Simmons and D.W. Brownfield, who were Carey Land buyers from Waterville, Washington, came to Valier, Montana to look over the land being recently offered to settlers. Later, L.H. Stump, a representative of the Valier Farm Sales Company wrote the following from Waterville:

“The Simmons brothers ship for Valier the 25th of this month, and if it is possible for you to have Montana Western build a chute at Williams so they may unload at that place, it will be appreciated. Alva will buy the one hundred acres joining his brother on the west.”

On March 7, 1913, Alva, along with his wife, Grace Clark Simmons and ten-month old Sarah Ellen, arrived by train with a carload of settlers effects.
The Simmons family lived on a small homestead claim in the Williams area for awhile and Alva established a veterinary practice. Later the family bought the Billy Miller house on the west side of Valier and moved into town.
Alva served the community of Valier in many ways over the years. He was the veterinarian for many of the farmers and ranchers in the area. Some of the older residents remember some stories of him practicing his skills under some rather primitive conditions. He also did autopsies to dertimine cause of death when someone died under mysterious circumstances and was called on to serve as an undertaker on many occasions.
Alva Simmons was the deputy sheriff and sheriff for many years. He served summons, search warrants, and often appeared in the local justice court on behalf of the law enforcement officials. His love and care for animals was obvious as on a few occasions he personally brought suit against people for abusing their animals. The Justice Docket of July 16, 1917 tells the story of Alva Simmons vs. J.O. Lime. Complaint was filed stating the following:

“Defendent did commit the crime of misdemeanor as follows: did whip, beat, and maim his horses and abandon one roan horse, contrary to the farm force and effect of the statutes in such cases made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the state of Montana.”

The defendent appeared before Justice H.P. Harrington, pleaded guilty and was fined fifty dollars, which was a considerable sum in the early 1900’s.
Alva was also an auctioneer in the Valier community. During the bond drive of World War II, Alva donated his time and work as an auctioneer and the Valier - Dupuyer communities raised $50,000 on a single auction. All businesses in Valier donated articles and they were auctioned off with the understanding that every person had to buy bonds in the amount of the highest bid they made on an article.
It was Alva who was instrumental in getting Lake Frances open for fishing. Prior to 1943 it was illegal to fish through a hole in the ice, but Alva circulated a petition and sent it to the Fish and Game Commission. The commission acted on the petition and in February of 1943 it became officially legal to fish through the ice. Along with Fred Geiger, Alva planted Chinese pheasants throughout the area. In one instance they got twenty-four pair from the state farm and planted them on the old Home Ranch on Dupuyer Creek.
“Doc” Simmons, as he was called, also served in the community as chief of the Valier Volunteer Fire Department for several years. On the morning of his death he had recently fought two fires in the Valier community.
Early in the morning of Sunday, October 10, 1948, as he was preparing to go duck hunting with his son-in-law, an accidental shotgun blast took the life of Dr. Alva J. Simmons, age seventy-two. He was born on October 11, 1876 at Sacramento, California, the son of Jessee and Sara Vaughn Simmons. He married Grace Clark at Waterville, Washington on November 24, 1908. He was a member of the Valier Lodge, A.F. and A.M., having been raides to the degree of Mason in 1902 at Bremerton, Washington. He was also a member of the Helena Shrine.