Simpson, William E, 1905 Bio, Rio Blanco County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/rioblanco/bios/simpsnwe.txt --------------------------------------- Donated March 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- William E. Simpson William E. Simpson, of Meeker, one of the county's most substantial and influential men, was born on July 4, 1855, in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, but was raised in Indiana county, that state, whither his parents moved when he was quite young. He received a good education, attending the public schools and Mount Union College in Stark county, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1874. At the age of fifteen he began teaching school and followed this profession seven years in Indiana county. He also conducted a store and the post office at a small place called Hammil. Here his health failed and he was obliged to come to Colorado for its improvement. In the spring of 1888 he located at Meeker. For some years he was associated with T.B. Watson in business and afterward with J.W. Hugus & Company. From 1891- 1894 he conducted the Antlers Hotel. During the next four years he carried on a meat market and also dealt in hides, finding both lines of business profitable. In 1891 he also engaged in ranching, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land on the North Fork of White river, to which he has since added four hundred and forty acres. The ranch is thirty miles east of Meeker, and is well supplied with water and timber. Two hundred and twenty acres are under cultivation in the usual products of the section, hay and cattle being the chief sources of profit. In the public affairs of Meeker and the county he takes an active and serviceable part, having served as president of the school board for many years and also as mayor of the town, elected on the citizens' ticket. In the fraternal life of the community he is prominent and serviceable as a member of the Masonic order, and in business his success has been very good. Politically he is a Republican, and to the needs of his party he contributes in personal work and material substance. His parents were James and Jane Simpson, who were successful farmers. Six children were born in the family, of whom Ellen and Catherine are dead and John M., of Indiana county, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth (Mrs. James E. Dilts), of Leon, Kansas; James M., of Colorado; and William E. are living. The father died in 1856 and the mother in 1898. On January 4, 1882, Mr. Simpson was joined in marriage with Miss Almyra A. McKillip, a native of Indiana county, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Hamilton and Elizabeth McKillip, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a miller and a manufacturer of woolen goods for many years, but devoted the later years of his life to farming. He was a Democrat in politics and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. The father died on March 2, 1878, and the mother on January 18, 1898. They had six children, of whom James S. and Mary A. have died, and William, Mrs. Simpson, Hamilton L., and Anna J. are living. Although conducting his ranch operations in person and giving them close and energetic attention, Mr. Simpon makes his home in the town of Meeker. His life among this people has been potential for their good and he is highly esteemed among them as a business man, a genial and obliging friend and an upright and public- spirited citizen. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.