Judge Joseph W. Sim

SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878

SURNAMES: BUSEY, MERCER, SIM

JUDGE JOSEPH W. SIM was born in Knox county, Ohio, November 1st, 1831, and is the eighth of a family of eleven children of Joseph W. and Keturah (MERCER) SIM. They were both natives of Frederick county, Maryland.

Mr. Sim was descended from a hardy stock of Scotch ancestry; but his wife was of English extraction. In the spring of 1831, they moved to Knox county, Ohio, where they engaged in farming, and continued to reside there until the year 1854, when Mr. Sim sold out his possessions and removed with his family to Illinois---came to Champaign county---and located in Urbana Township, where they both resided during the remainder of their lives. Mr. Sim's death occurred July 25th, 1865. Mrs. Sim survived her husband until October 27th, 1868.

Judge Sim, the subject of this brief sketch, received his early education in the common schools of his native county. He was also a student for a time at the Academy at Frederictown, Ohio, and after he grew up to manhood he spent a few years in assisting his father on the farm during the summer, and taught school during the winter months. Came west with his parents in '54, and immediately after began reading law in the office of Col. Wm. N. Coler, of Urbana. He was admitted to the bar in the summer of 1856, and was soon after taken into partnership by his former preceptor. That firm existed about three years, when a new partnership was formed under the firm name of Coler, Sim & Sheldon, which continued until 1861, after which time, Mr. S. practiced alone for about one year, then formed a partnership with J. O. Cunningham, which lasted about five years, when Mr. Sim's health began to fail---and he was advised by his physician to engage in more active pursuits. He therefore turned his attention to farming. He was elected county Judge, in November, 1873, and held the office one term of four years, rendering excellent satisfaction to the people. His term of office expired---he resumed the practice of his profession.

In politics, he is a Republican, and of course, during the late war, was a staunch union man. He has been Mayor of the city of Urbana, for two terms; and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for twenty-six years.

On the 25th of June, 1857, Judge Sim was married to Miss Sarah A. BUSEY, daughter of the late Col. M. W. BUSEY. Five children have been born to them, one son and four daughters. Their son, Charles B. is deceased. Whatever success Mr. Sim has achieved, it has been the result of his individual exertions. As a lawyer, he has won an excellent reputation for fairness and honesty.