Wiley Blunt Simmons...my Great, Great Grandfather

Wiley Blunt Simmons is pictured with his prized mules. Wiley lived from 1830 - 1906. It must have been winter according to the way Wiley is dressed and is looks like there may have been some snow laying on the fencing as well as on the ground. These mules must have been quite valuable to him as he needed them to haul wood for heating and haul timber for building. He also needed the mules for plowing the earth to plant seed, cutting the hay, and hualing hay for livestock. He would also need the mules for hooking up the buggy for transportation. Wiley was a member of a pioneering family.