Dansville Michigan Historical Society P.O. Box 182, Dansville, Michigan 48819
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Simon P. Hendricks ~ Gunsmith

Obituary
Ingham County News - 02.21.1889

Simon P. Hendricks was born in Gaylon, Wayne County, N.Y., July 4, 1822, and died of apoplexy, at Iron Mountain, Mich, on Friday last. About 50 years ago Mr. Hendricks and family came to Michigan from the state of New York, and about 36 years ago located in the township of Ingham, residing in said township until after the death of Mrs. H., about seven months ago, after which Mr. H went to Iron Mountain to spend his remaining days with his son Wells W., the only remaining one of a family of four children. The son arrived in Mason with the remains of his father, Saturday evening, and the funeral services were held at the M.E. Church, Dansville, Sunday morning. Deceased was well known in the vicinity of Dansville, where he and his family had lived for so many years, and a large circle of friends mourn his loss. Mr. W. W. Hendricks started on his return to Iron Mountain on Tuesday.

Based on the information provided in Simon's obituary he was in Dansville from about 1853 until 1888/9.

Frank Seller's  "American Gunsmiths" and Gardner's  "Small Arms Makers" list a S.P Hendrick(s) in Dansville, Michigan.  Their dates of his operation vary a bit.  Seller's- 1867-1883 and Gardner 1875-1879.

He was listed on the following documents:
1860 U.S. Census - Dansville, MI. Listed as gunsmith. 
1863 Michigan State Gazetteer - Carpenter
1863 U.S. Civil War Draft - Dansville, MI. Listed as Mechanic.
1863-64 Michigan State Gazetteer - Carpenter
1867-68 Michigan State Gazetteer - Carpenter
1867-68 Michigan State Gazetteer - Hendryx and Fletcher - Gunsmiths

1870 U.S. Census - Dansville, MI. Listed as carpenter and joiner.
1877 Michigan State Gazetteer - Gunsmith
1879 Michigan State Gazetteer - Gunsmith

1880 U.S. Census - Dansville, MI. Listed as gunsmith. Sick with paralysis. 
1881 Michigan State Gazetteer - Gunsmith
1887-88 Michigan State Gazetteer - Carpenter

Example of his firearms

Dorn Diehl Collection ~ Michigan

W. Lowe Collection ~ New Hampshire
Mule Ear Over Under 40 cal./40 cal. round barrels 

Bill Collection ~ Illinois
Old percussion half stock with a side by side .36 / 20 ga barrel with back action locks

Auction - March 2019
Belcher Auction Company
Location of auction - Coldwater, MI
S.P. HENDRICK COMBINATION 44CAL/16GA., OVER/UNDER PERCUSSION RIFLE/SHOTGUN
Sold for $250

Auction - July 2019
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