SIMPSON, E. 1858

SIMPSON, FISHER, REYNOLDS, WILSON, HOWARD, DAWSON

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 5/8/2005 at 14:41:19

E. Simpson, assistant cashier of the Union State Bank of La Porte City, Iowa, an ex-member of the City Council and a prominent and useful citizen, was born October 28, 1858, at Port Byron, Rock Island County, Illinois, and is a son of Thomas and Eliza (Fisher) Simpson.

The subject of this sketch is of English descent on the paternal side, and of German descent on the maternal. Some of the earlier Simpsons took part in the War of 1812. Thomas Simpson, was born November 3, 1811, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He moved to Illinois in 1854, and died on his farm in that State on February 24, 1873. At his funeral, although in the depth of winter, the general esteem in which he was held was shown by the attendance of so many friends and neighbors, that the funeral cortege was fully a half mile long.

He was always an active and useful member of the Republican party, and had been honored with office upon many occasions, having served acceptably as assessor and township supervisor, and as recruiting officer during the Civil War.

He married Eliza Fisher, who was born January 27, 1818, in Pennsylvania, and died in Illinois January 1, 1900. The seven children of this marriage were as follows: Mrs. Sarah Reynolds, deceased; James, of Cordova, Illinois; Eliza J., widow of Dr. Wilso Fleming, of Port Byron, Illinois; John F., of Pueblo, Colorado; Jesse, of Fort Byron; Wesley; and the subject of this sketch.

E. Simpson was reared on a farm and completed his studies in the public schools in 1878. In the following year, he taught one term of school, and then went to Moline, Illinois, where he was employed as bill clerk by the American Express Company, and there began to learn telegraphing. In April, 1880, he returned to Port Byron as a telegraph operator for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, with which he remained three years. He then served as agent of the B.C.R. & N. Railway Company at Washburn and La Porte City from 1884 until 1901, a period of 17 years. Since October, 1900, he has filled his present position.

During his residence in La Porte City, Mr. Simpson has been prominently identified with the city's business interest, and has been closely associated with its civic affairs. He has been city recorder, and is a member of the City Council, and for the past four years has been treasurer of the School Board.

On July 24, 1884, Mr. Slimpson was married to Libbie Howard, who was born July 4, 1860, near Canandaigua, New York, and died at La Porte City, Iowa, July 27, 1895, leaving one child, Howard G. On March 7, 1899, Mr. Simpson was married to Eva L. Dawson, of Waterloo, who is a daughter of David Dawson, of Bushnell, Illinois. One child has ben born to this union. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Fraternally, Mr. Simpson is a very prominent member of the K.O.T.M., being one of the charter members of Crystal Lake Tent., No. 33, having been its commander for two years. He belongs also to Sycamore Camp, No. 34, Modern Woodmen of America, of Port Byron, Illinois, and to Narcissus Lodge, No. 1921, K and P., of La Porte City, Iowa.

Source: History of Black Hawk County And It's People 1915