- JAMES SIMPSON, a prominent farmer of La Prairie Township,
residing on section 11, was born
- in the year 1824, on Shetland Island, of which his parents,
James and Margaret (NICHOLSON) SIMPSON, were also natives. His
father was a sailor during his youth and for eleven years served
as gunner's mate in the British navy. He participated in the
War of 1812, against the United States, and was with the fleet
which attempted the capture of New Orleans. Later, abandoning
the sea, he engaged in farming and stock raising, being quite
extensively engaged in raising horses. His death occurred in
1835, at the age of sixty years, when our subject was eleven
years old. His wife died five years previously. Their family
numbered three children, namely; Margaret, wife of Stewart ERVIN,
of Shetland Island; John, who died on the old homestead, and
James.
- When only eleven years of age, our subject was left an orphan
and went to live with an aunt, with
- whom he made his home until attaining his majority. Embarking
on the brig, "Tar," he sailed to Lerwick and from thence
to Philadelphia, Pa., in which city he spent the following summer.
With a cargo of provisions, he then returned to the Island, but
followed a sea-faring life for eight years, visiting nearly every
port on the Atlantic Ocean. In 1852, with a desire to gain wealth
more rapidly, he went to Australia, where he engaged in mining
gold for three years, and was reasonably successful. At length
he returned to the land of his birth in which he remained until
May, 1857.
- A short time previous to the date above mentioned, Mr. SIMPSON
was united in marriage with
- Forbice H. SMITH, was born on Shetland Island, and is a daughter
of Nichol and Mary Ann (HALCOW) SMITH, who were also natives
of the same place. The wedding journey of the young couple consisted
of a voyage to America. crossing the broad Atlantic, they landed
at Quebec, Canada, and then proceeded to Janesville, Wis. In
Rock County, Mr. SIMPSON purchased eighty acres of land situated
in La Prairie Township, where he still continues to reside. The
land was then but partially improved, but the care and labor
which he has bestowed upon it has transformed it into one of
the finest farms in the vicinity. Many beautiful and useful improvements
have been made and the entire surroundings indicate the thrift
and enterprise of the owner, while the home, whose mistress is
one of the highly esteemed ladies of the county, is the abode
of neatness and refinement. The trees, which throw their welcome
shade on house and lawn, were also planted by Mr. SIMPSON, while
the boundaries of his farm have been extended until it now comprises
190 acres of land which is under a high state of cultivation.
- No children have been born to this worthy couple, but they
have an adopted daughter and son,
- namely: Charlotte E., who is now the wife of Peter J. MOORT,
of Janesville; and Charles W. Eunson, yet at home. Mr. and Mrs.
SIMPSON are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Emerald
Grove, with which they united nearly a third of a century ago.
He has served the organization as Class-Leader and Trustee, and
is now the teacher of the Bible class in the Sunday School, in
which his wife also has a class. They take a deep interest in
church work, are always ready to aid in any possible way, and
are liberal in its support. In his political sentiments, Mr.
SIMPSON is a Republican, and has served as a member of the School
Board in which he acted as Treasurer for several years. He is
well informed on all matters of public interest, and is regarded
as one of the leading citizens of La Prairie Township. He has
traveled over a greater part of the world, visiting nearly every
civilized country of the glove, thereby acquiring a knowledge
of the people, together with their manners and customs, never
attained from a study of books.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 204-205.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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