Born February 2nd, 1839, at Manchester, Adams county, Ohio. His father's family removed to the then Territory of Iowa, in 1840, settling in Bellevue. His lot up to the age of sixteen years was that of a farm boy working for wages which was his only method of acquiring money for an intended three years' course at the Rock River Seminary, Mt. Morris, Ill., which he entered in his sixteenth year. In 1860 he commenced the study of law in the office of his cousin, Henry S. Magou, at Shellsburg, Wis., and in the following spring continued the study of his chosen profession under tuition of Booth & Graham, one of the leading law firms of Eastern Iowa, remaining there two years. He was admitted to the bar February 28, 1863. He practiced law for many years at Bellevue, Iowa, investing his earnings in real estate. In his adopted city and county he held many offices of trust and importance, serving two years in the General Assembly of Iowa. On the 22nd day of May 1867, at Red Bud, Illinois, he was married to Miss Adelaide Phillips. Past Master Simpson was a Mason almost all his mature life, having served many terms as worshipful Master of his home lodge. He came to Axtell in 1894, and soon afterwards affiliated with the Mason lodge there. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Born February 2nd, 1839, at Manchester, Adams county, Ohio. His father's family removed to the then Territory of Iowa, in 1840, settling in Bellevue. His lot up to the age of sixteen years was that of a farm boy working for wages which was his only method of acquiring money for an intended three years' course at the Rock River Seminary, Mt. Morris, Ill., which he entered in his sixteenth year. In 1860 he commenced the study of law in the office of his cousin, Henry S. Magou, at Shellsburg, Wis., and in the following spring continued the study of his chosen profession under tuition of Booth & Graham, one of the leading law firms of Eastern Iowa, remaining there two years. He was admitted to the bar February 28, 1863. He practiced law for many years at Bellevue, Iowa, investing his earnings in real estate. In his adopted city and county he held many offices of trust and importance, serving two years in the General Assembly of Iowa. On the 22nd day of May 1867, at Red Bud, Illinois, he was married to Miss Adelaide Phillips. Past Master Simpson was a Mason almost all his mature life, having served many terms as worshipful Master of his home lodge. He came to Axtell in 1894, and soon afterwards affiliated with the Mason lodge there. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.