ALEXANDER C SIMPSON, b 26 Apr 1829

SIMPSON, CRAIG, GRIFFIS

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 12/25/2004 at 20:51:37

Alexander C. Simpson, County Surveyor, real estate agent, silver-smith and watch-maker at Sabula, is widely and favorably known throughout this county, and is one of its most esteemed citizens. He possesses remarkably attractive social qualities, is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and a natural mathematician. He is especially expert as a jeweler, making a specialty of dressing agate, carnelian and topaz stone, which are picked up along the Missisippi in this locality, and which, when properly mounted, comprise the choicest of American gems.

A native of Dumfreeshire, Scotland, Mr. Simpson was born near the town of Moffat, April 26, 1829, and is the son of John and Agnes (Craig) Simpson, the mother a native of the same place as her son, and the father born in Devizes, England. The latter was a woolen manufacturer, and came with his family to the United States in 1836, settling in Susquehanna County, Pa. He established a large woolen mill on Silver Creek, which he operated a few years, then sold out and became agent for the noted Bingham estate in Pennsylvaia, which position he held until his death in 1850. The mother died in 1880.

To the parents of our subject there were born eight children, the eldest of whom, a son Robert, succeeded to the position of his father in connection with the above mentioned estate, and makes his home in Wellsboro, Pa. Joseph C. is publisher of The Breeder and Sportsman of San Francisco, Cal., and is also a breeder of trotting stock; Marian is the wife of E.W. Rose, of Silver Lake, Pa.; Alexander C., our subject, was the fourth child; John was drowned in the Mississippi River, near Sabula, several years ago; Jane H. is unmarried and makes her home in Silver Lake, Pa; William is engaged as a jeweller at Holden, Mo.; one son died in infancy.

Mr. Simpson came to this county in the early part of 1854, landing in Union Township January 22. He at once took up his abode in Sabula, and has since lived in or near this place, and always in Union township. He has been County Surveyor twenty-one years in succession. In 1870 he invested in sixteen acres of land, and built up a good home on section 18, in Union Township, one and one-half miles north of Sabula, where he now lives. When a young man of thirty-four years, engaged in firing off an anvil, rejoicing over the fall of Vicksburg, a premature explosion so injured his right leg that it was necessary to have it amputated below the knee. Notwithstanding this he has for the last twenty years made the distance of over 20,000 miles on foot to and from his farm, upon which he settled soon after the accident occurred, and still makes the journey in the same manner morning and evening. He has a splended constitution, is hearty and vigorous, and although sixty years of age, can perform more labor, both manually and mentally, than many a man his junior.

On the 1st day of February, 1855, occurred the marriage of Alexander C. Simpson and Miss Sabrina R. Griffis, at the bride's home in Union Township. This lady was born Jan. 24, 1836, in Susquehanna County, Pa., and is the daughter of Robert Griffis, who, with his excellent wife, spent his last days in Susquehanna County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson began their wedded life at a modest home in Sabula, and in due time became the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, namely: Mary B., Eliza W., Robert G., Joseph C., John A., and Frank. John is farming in Union Township, and the others make their home with their parents. Mary fitted herself for a teacher, and is following this profession in Union Township.

Mr. Simpson, politically, gives his support to the Democratic party. He is not a member of any church organization, but believes in Christianity, and contributes liberally to the support of the gospel. He has been a member of the I.O.O.F. since a young man twenty-one years of age, and at present belongs to the lodge in Sabula. He keeps himself posted upon current events, and with his family occupies an eviable position in the social circles of Sabula.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)