John Simmons (Oklahoma politician)

John H. Simmons (died October 18, 1940) was an American politician who served as the 13th Mayor of Tulsa from 1916 to 1918.

Early life
John H. Simmons was born in Edinburgh, Indiana. He was educated in Springfield, Missouri, and graduated from Henderson Academy near Springfield.

Career
After graduating, Simmons became a deputy clerk in Wright County, Missouri. He organized the Wright County Bank in Hartville, Missouri. In 1902, he moved to Oklahoma and organized the Cleveland National Bank. He served as its president until he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1906. He served as president of the City National Bank in Tulsa until its consolidation with the First National Bank. He then served as vice president of the First National Bank.

Simmons ran for mayor of Tulsa as a Republican in 1912 against the Democratic Party's nominee Frank M. Wooden. He served as the 13th Mayor of Tulsa from 1916 to 1918. He was mayor while the Tulsa Municipal Building at Fourth and Cincinnati was being built and during the Tulsa Outrage in 1917. After his term, he was appointed by Governor Robert L. Williams to the Tulsa district exemption board during World War I. He was a charter member of the commercial club in Tulsa, later the chamber of commerce.

Simmons purchased considerable property in Tulsa. In his later years, he spent time in the administration of his real estate and oil properties. He gave US$2500 towards the construction of Hotel Tulsa.

Personal life
Simmons married Margaret. They had two sons and two daughters, John, Hugh, Mrs. Irma Clay and Inez. He was a member of the First Christian Church.

Simmons died following a stroke at his home at 1601 South Norfolk Avenue in Tulsa on October 18, 1940, aged 81. He was interred at Rose Hill Mausoleum.