Portrait and Biographical Album of St. Joseph County, Michigan (Chapman Brothers: Chicago, 1889) page 283
This file of Biography & Emigration: James Simpson from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland to St. Joseph County, Michigan forms part of the vast archive of 4,500+ pages of genealogical records relating to COUNTIES TYRONE, DONEGAL, LONDONDERRY & FERMANAGH provided without charge or subscription by CoTyroneIreland Welcome to the Premier Website & Research Tool for Cos. Tyrone, Donegal, Londonderry & Fermanagh Genealogy (cotyroneireland.com) A complete list of records pertaining to BIOGRAPHIES FOR COUNTY TYRONE on this website can be found at the foot of this file.
JAMES SIMPSON. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biography is a man of more than ordinary abilities, skillful as an agriculturist, thorough and reliable in the transaction of business, and one who is held in the highest esteem by the people of his community. A man seldom idle when not employed about his own concerns he gives thought to the welfare of the people around him, and his talents have been given a generous recognition by his fellow-citizens, who frequently appoint him to positions of trust and responsibility. In his immediate neighborhood he has served as Commissioner of Highways and School Moderator, and is a member in good standing of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is independent, making it a rule to give his support to the men whom he considers best qualified to serve the interests of the people.
Of excellent antecedents, our subject was born on the other side of the Atlantic, in County Tyrone, Ireland, about the summer of 1831, and continued a resident of his native country until a young man twenty years of age. His parents, John and Rebecca (Adams) Simpson, also natives of County Tyrone, spent their entire lives in Ireland. Their family consisted of five children, James being next to the youngest. Of the others three are still living.
Mr. Simpson came a single man to America about 1853, and making his way westward took up his abode in Nottawa Township, this county, of which he has since been a resident. The first year and a half after his arrival here he worked out upon a farm, then cultivated land on shares for a period of four years. Having now gathered together a little capital, he purchased 160 acres of wild land in Nottawa Township, and which is included in his present farm. This lies on section 23, and Mr. Simpson has occupied it since the fall of 1859. Upon it there were no improvements at the time of his purchase, and the greater part of it was covered with timber. He set about felling the trees and effecting one improvement after another, as he was able, in the meantime keeping bachelor's hall for several years, until he felt assured that he would be equal to the task of taking care of a family. Mr. Simpson finally began to see his way clear to a comfortable living and something besides, and Oct. 19, 1876, took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Mrs. Nettie B. Adams, widow of Andrew Adams, and daughter of Charles Dearth. Mrs. Simpson was born June 20, 1845, in Darke County, Ohio, and spent her childhood and youth in Berrien County, Mich. Her first husband, Mr. Adams, was a merchant and farmer by occupation, and died in Berrien County, this State, in 1869. They were the parents of two children, both daughters; Lydia, at home, and Olive, who died Nov. 9, 1888 .
To Mr. and Mrs. Simpson there have been born three children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Rebecca, died when two years and three months old. Mary N. and James R. are at home with their parents.
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