Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Simpson, William 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com October 4, 2007, 10:06 pm

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County 

WILLIAM SIMPSON, deputy assessor of Joliet, has for some years been an active
participant in the public life of the city. He is a firm believer in 
Republican principles and a stanch supporter of the men and measures put
forward by the party. With the enthusiasm that is one of his attributes he has 
entered heartily into the field of politics. During his period of service as a 
member of the county committee he was for a time its assistant secretary.  
Formerly he held the chairmanship of the city central committee of the party, 
and is still one of its members, besides being identified with the work of the 
township committee. He is also a member of the executive committee of the 
Illinois State League of Republican Clubs.

The Simpson family is of English ancestry. Mr. Simpson's father, Butler, was 
born in London, England, and in early life came to the United States with his 
father, settling on a farm in Joliet Township, this county. In 1862 he came to
Joliet. During a portion of the Civil war he was employed by the government in 
the repairing of wagons. On returning to Joliet he secured employment in 
Davidson's quarry. In 1865 he bought property on South Chicago street, where
he carried on the business of wagon-making. Later he was interested in a 
grocery with his sons. He married Mary Jane Coates, who was born in 
Scarborough, England. They still reside in Joliet, as do also their five 
living sons, viz.: William, Frederick, Walter, George and Harry.

In this city our subject was born June 28, 1863, and here his education was 
obtained in the public schools and Prof. Russell's Business College. For five 
years he served as an apprentice to the carpenter's trade under Dan Winters, 
after which he followed this occupation for six years, during the last two of 
which he engaged in contracting and building. In 1889 he bought an interest in 
a grocery at No. 303 South Chicago street, but after nine months sold to his  
partner, Mr. Murphy, and then established the grocery house of Simpson 
Brothers in his father's store building, continuing there for three years, 
when he sold out.

When Robert J. Morrison was elected township assessor in 1894 Mr. Simpson 
received the appointment of deputy, which he has held ever since, with the 
exception of the year spent as keeper at the Illinois state penitentiary under
Major McClaughrey. The latter position he resigned after thirteen months on 
account of ill health. In 1896 he was deputy collector under T. N. Williamson 
and two years later held the same position with William Winckler. In 1898 he 
received the appointment of city sealer, which he held for one year until a 
change was made in the mayor's office. He is connected with the Modern Woodmen 
of America. Possessing a genial, companionable disposition he has won many 
friends among the people of the city, and is popular both in public affairs 
and social circles.

The marriage of Mr. Simpson took place in Joliet October 20, 1885, and united 
him with Miss Josephine D. Wheeler, who was born in Frankfort Township. The 
only child of their union, Lawrence F., died September 20, 1897, at the age of 
nine years and nine months. Mrs. Simpson is a daughter of Benajah and Elizabeth
(Sanders) Wheeler, natives respectively of New York and Vermont. She was one 
of eight children, all but one of whom are living; of the survivors she is the 
oldest and the only one in Joliet. Her paternal grandfather, D. N. Wheeler, 
removed from New York during the latter part of the '30s and settled in 
Frankfort Township, this county, remaining there until 1897. He then went to 
Virginia, Neb., where he has since lived retired from active labors. Benajah 
Wheeler removed to Missouri in 1871 and is now engaged in farming in Grundy 
County, that state. His wife was a daughter of Frank and Sarah Sanders, the
former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, but settled in this county prior 
to the '40s, and has since made his home in Greengarden Township, Will County, 
where he owns a section of land.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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