Tehama County CA Archives Biographies.....Simpson, John 1837 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 30, 2007, 10:36 pm

Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

JOHN SIMPSON.-Among the prominent and progressive men in the business circles of
Tehama for the past thirty-live years is the gentleman whose name heads this
sketch. He was born in Dumfries, Scotland, March 22, 1837, the son of John and
Robinia (Craik) Simpson, who were of Scotch parentage and emigrated to the
United States in 1888, locating in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, where our subject
was reared and educated. He afterward learned the blacksmith and machinist's
trades, which he followed until 1856, when he came via Panama to California,
remaining in San Francisco but a short time. He then came to Tehama and took
charge of the shoeing department and repair shops of the old California Stage
Company, remaining in their employ until 1868. Mr. Simpson then became the
partner of Charles Harvey, now deceased, in 1869, of which firm A. G. Toombs
became the third partner, and they conducted a general merchandise business
under the firm name of Harvey, Simpson & Company. In 1873 Mr. Simpson withdrew
from the firm, taking as his interest the town water-works, which the firm then
owned and controlled. His next enterprise was the establishing of an extensive
hardware and tin business, carrying a large assortment of crockery, glass, wood
and willow ware, also agricultural implements of all kinds. His store is located
at the head of Main street, where he owns one of the best appointed and most
complete establishments in this section of the county, carrying a stock the year
round of $25,000.

  Since Mr. Simpson located in Tehama he has been prominently identified with
the growth and prosperity of the town and county: has now in course of
construction, at the head of Main street, a large tank about sixty-two feet
above the town level, with a capacity of 20,000 gallons of water, which is
intended principally for fire emergencies, and he has also two tanks of small
capacity fur supplying the town with water. The supply drawn from the Sacramento
River by steam power is inexhaustible. In addition to his business property he
is the possessor of a fine residence, with beautiful and well-kept grounds, and
many choice varieties of citrus and deciduous fruits, under a high state of
cultivation. Mr. Simpson is one of Tehama's enterprising and public-spirited
men. Has represented the county in the Legislature in 1873-'74, and was appinted
[sic] County Supervisor by Governor Stoneman in 1884. His sons, John and George,
are employed with him in business, and now have charge of Wells, Fargo &
Company's express and postal telegraph system of Tehama.

  Mr. Simpson was joined in wedlock at Carbondale, Pennsylvania, September 3,
1856, with Miss Jennette McNeal, a native of the Keystone State and of Scotch
parentage. They have six children, of whom four are deceased. Politically Mr.
Simpson is a Democrat and takes an active part in the local matters and also
affiliates with the F. & A. M., Moline Lodge, No. 150, and the A. O. U. W.,
Tehama Lodge, No. 187, of Tehama.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.

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