J. L. Sims, one of the progressive citizens of Edinburg, son of William P. and Mary A. C. (Murphy) Sims, was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., on the 10th day of April 1834. He began life for himself before attaining his majority, as an employee of the J., M. and I. Railroad Company, and continued that calling with little or no interruption until the breaking out of the Civil War between the states. He held various positions with the above company, including the local freight agency at Edinburg, the duties of which he discharged for a period of sixteen years. July, 1861, he entered the army, enlisting in company H, Nineteenth Indiana volunteer Infantry, for the three years’ service, during which time he participated in a number of active campaigns and bloody battles, and earned a record of which he feels deservedly proud. It is a noticeable fact that during his army experience, he never once visited his home, and from the time of enlisting until honorably discharged, he did not see any member of his family. He resumed railroading upon his return from the service, and continued it until a few years ago. On severing his connection with the J., M. & I. Railroad Company, he was appointed postmaster of Edinburg, and discharged the duties of that office three years. He is at this time proprietor of a meat-market in Edinburg, a business which has returned him handsome financial profits. Mr. Sims and Miss Ellen Bradburn, of Philadelphia, Penn., daughter of Alexander and Ellen (Remo), of the same state, were married on the 19th day of July, 1857. They are the parents of eight children, seven living, viz.: Charles E., Gertrude J., Harry A., Maggie M., Samuel S., Nellie A. and Horace S. The deceased member of the family was John D.