Simpson, George 1859-1941

SIMPSON, STRINGER, HARLEY, CHAMBERLAIN

Posted By: Lois J. Hinshaw
Date: 10/30/2009 at 22:39:39

G. Simpson Dies; Well Known Here

Was 81 Years Old; Lived Over 50 Years in Jasper County

George Simpson, 81, railroader, farmer and business man who lived approximately 50 years of his life in Jasper county, died this morning at 1:05 a.m. in the home that he and Mrs. Simpson have lived in for the past 31 years.

Mr. Simpson had suffered a stroke a week ago Tuesday. All members of his immediate family including two sons from New York state were present at the bedside except for one, a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Chamberlain of Spencer. She had been here until Wednesday and had to return to her home in Spencer.

Funeral services will be held next Monday afternoon, at 2:00 o'clock, at the Murdoch Funeral home.

Mr. Simpson was born Nov. 7, 1859, in Ohio, the son of a Methodist minister. He came west with his family and they settled for a time at Kellogg. Later he went into the railroading business, a livelihood which he followed for around 15 years, most of it from Trenton, Mo. There he was connected with the Rock Island line, serving as conductor on a passenger run between Trenton and Kansas City.

While at Trenton he and Miss Mattie E. Stringer were married--on March 31, 1887. They would have observed their 54th wedding anniversary next Monday.

To this union five children were born, four of whom are living. They are Earl E. Simpson of Geneva, N. Y., Harry V. Simpson of Waterford, N. Y., Guy J. Simpson of Newton and Mrs. Ruth Chamberlain of Spencer, Ia. Another son, Gerald died about 11 years ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Simpson came to Iowa about 48 years ago, Mr. Simpson leaving the railroad business for farming, and located on a farm south of Kellogg in the Pleasantview neighborhood. They were there about 10 years and then moved to a farm northeast of Newton.

About 32 years ago, they came to Newton. One year after they came to Newton they moved to the house at 202 East Fourth Street South which they have occupied ever since.

Upon coming to Newton, Mr. Simpson engaged in the feed and transfer business for a time. Later he served as a member of the Newton police force for about eight years. His only surviving brother Linc Simpson was chief for a number of years, retiring only a few years ago. Then Mr. Simpson became connected with the Maytag company as a foreman in the grey-iron foundry. He retired about 10 years ago.

A tall man, towering six feet four inches tall, Mr. Simpson was a familiar figure in Newton and known to many, particularly among those who had lived here for a number of years. He was a charter member of the Newton Knights of Pythias lodge and also an active member of the I. O. O. F. and Rebekah lodge. He was a member of the Newton Methodist church too.

Mr. Simpson was a member of a family of eight children -- seven boys and one girl. All have preceded him in death except L. E. (Linc) Simpson, who is now living in Des Moines.

Mr. Simpson is survived by his wife, four children, one brother and eight grandchildren. The grandchildren are Wendell Simpson, Mrs. Laura Bess, Payson and Joseph Simpson of New York, Miss Mozelle Simpson of Newton and Jean, Clarence Harley and Dale Chamberlain of Spencer.

The Newton Daily News, Newton, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1941 - Page 1 Col. 5