Simpson, William

SIMPSON

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 10/24/2008 at 13:56:10

William Simpson

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.220, Pleasant Twp.)
William Simpson, farmer, P. O. Shelby, Shelby County, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., May 18, 1821, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Redman) Simpson. Benjamin Simpson, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in Orange County, N. Y., November 21, 1782, and died at Elbridge, Onondaga County, N. Y., September 30, 1822; his wife, who was also born in Orange County, N. Y., October 15, 1790, died in Clinton County, Iowa, April 30, 1864; they had seven children, five boys and two girls. The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of Elbridge, N. Y., and early engaged in farming; he also followed boating several years, owning and running several boats on the Erie Canal. In Onondaga County, N. Y., December 1, 1842, he married Julia Gregoire born in Canada October 24, 1825, daughter of Theodore Gregoire, a blacksmith by trade, who was born in Canada April 22, 1786. By this union nine children have been born, six of whom are living, four of whom reside in this county - Nicholas P., Benjamin E., Eltnor U., Sarah E., Elnora E., John W., Albert O., Nettie M. and Gratia A. He came to Pleasant Township in 1870, bought 488 acres of wild land at $10 per acre, which he improved, and on which he erected a frame house, 26 x 32 feet, two stories high, with kitchen 14 x 16 feet, at a cost of $2,000. Mr. Simpson is engaged in general farming. When he came to Pleasant Township, there were only three voters, but at the last election 150 votes were cast, and then all the voters in the township did not vote. He is a supporter of the Democratic party.