Dr. David Arthur Sims
1850-1915

Dr. David Arthur Sims was born in Marion, Union County Louisiana Mar 5, 1850, His parents were Reuben J. and Margaret Stripling Sims. Reuben was born abt 1820 in Mississippi or Georgia. Margaret was born abt 1822 in Kentucky. In 1850 Reuben and Margaret are in Marion, Union. Louisiana with first three children. In 1860 They are in Union, Louisiana. David Arthur was 10 years old. In 1870 Reuben Sims has already died and widow Margaret with son David and daughter Emelie are in Bates township Sebastian County, Arkansas. November 12, 1879 David married Louisa E. Bell, daughter of Jesse Holmes and Lucinda Hodges Bell. Louisa was born in Scott County, Arkansas Jan 31, 1858. In 1880 David and Louisa are living in Washburn, Sebastian County, Arkansas. David is listed as an M.D. on the census record. He attended Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee receiving his degree in medicine in 1887 according to the Directory of Deceased American Physicians, 1804-1929. On the 1900 census of Certer township in Sebastian County, Arkansas Dr. Sims is a widower with 4 children. His wife Louise died Aug 19, 1897 at Washburn, Sebastian County, Arkansas. She was buried at Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood, Arkansas. In 1910 Dr. Sims is living in Fort Smith Arkansas. In 1911 Dr Sims married Edith Grace Awalt in Jacksonville, Duval, Florida. But by the end of 1915 she is a widow. Dr. D.A. Sims died Dec 20, 1915 at St. Joseph, Buvhanan, Missouri. His family was still living in Fort Smith. The body was brought back for burial in Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Fort Smith Elevator - Aug 28, 1897 Fort Smith Times - April 20, 1902 Southwest American - Dec 21, 1915 Southwest American - Dec 23, 1915