Thomas Sims, of Detour, Michigan, is one of the prominent land­marks of this locality. He came here in 1856, a young Englishman, and the first winter he was here there was no other white man in Detour. He was attracted to this country by the purchase, some months previous, at Toronto, of a tract of 100 acres of land on St. Joseph’s island. He dropped down to Detour after discovering that he had no use for his purchase just then. The business of fishing seemed to offer better returns than any other line, and in that Mr. Sims engaged. His success has been such as to warrant his remaining at the business all these psst thirty-five years and more. He now has invested in fishing nets and other paraphanalia over $5,000, and his yearly catch will reach from $10,000 to $16,000 gross.

Mr. Sims’ profits have been invested in real estate on Drummond island and the mainland near Detour, he having acquired altogether no less than 500 acres. During his residence here he has taken an active interest in public affairs and has from time to time filled various positions of prominence and trust, and he has ever done his part toward furthering all meritorious enterprises of a public nature. He has served at Supervisor, Townahip Treasurer and School Director, filling the last named office for a period of over twenty years.

Reverting to Mr. Sims’ birth and early life, we find that he was born in Norfolk county, England, April 27, 1827. His father, Thomas Sims, died when Thomas was an infant, and thus he grew up without being given the school advantages he might otherwise have had. At sixteen be began sailing on salt water and for several months was on a trading and coasting vessel. At the age of twenty-three he went to Australia. There he was engaged in prospecting and mining nearly fonr years, and in that time got together a few hundred dollars, after which be returned to England. He expected to be taken into the English army to fight Russia on the Crimea, but a truce was patched up between the two countries, and instead of going there he came to America. He took the Devonshire at London, made a successful ocean voyage and landed in due time at New York city. Going from there to London, Ontario, he found work in a car factory owned and operated by a Mr. Leonard. On leaving this factory, Mr. Sims came to Detour, Michigan, as above recorded.

He was married in England, in 1850 to Miss Eliza Gee, a native of Knapton, England, who died some years later, leaving him the following named children; Jane, now the wife of John giddings of Iowa; Thomas who married a Miss King; Edwin who married a Miss Mathewson; Walter, who married a Miss McLeod; Harry who married a Miss Ryan; and Eliza, unmarried. The two eldest children were born in England and the others at Detour. For his second wife Mr. Sims wedded Miss Emma Gee, a sister of his first wife, their marriage being consummated in 1870. The children of this union are Lillie, wife of Chas. Fountain; Violet, wife of C.A. Watson; Maud and Mabel, twins and Emma.

Mr. Sims is well preserved for a man of his years. He has a wide acquaintance here and is as popular as he is well known. More might be said of his active and useful life, but enough has been given to serve as an index to his character and place him where he belongs among the representative men of the community in which he resides.

From the "Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan 1895"