When Simon Hanephin was born in May 1852, in Alden, Erie, New York, United States, his father, Simon Hannifan, was 27 and his mother, Margaret O'Reilly, was 27. He married Bridget Mockley on 21 November 1875, in Dorchester, Allamakee, Iowa, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 5 daughters. He lived in Shell Rock Township, Freeborn, Minnesota, United States in 1900. In 1880, at the age of 28, his occupation is listed as rr laborer in Hardin, Iowa, United States. He died on 30 May 1923, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, at the age of 71, and was buried in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.