William SIMPSON was born in Lincoln County, N. C., September 21, 1812, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (BROWN) SIMPSON. Samuel, subject's father, came to Illinois with his family in 1831, and lived, during their first summer in the State, near where Staunton, in Macoupin County, now stands; he settled on the land where subject now resides, earning the money to enter the first forty acres by hauling sand for the building of the first frame court house in Montgomery County; at his death, which occurred in March, 1848, he owned 160 acres of land, which he had accumulated by his own labor and industry; his wife survived him about twelve years, and was about eighty-four years of age when she died. The subject of this sketch began working by the month, about a year at brick-making for Judge Hiram ROUNTREE, and at farm labor for $13 per month, which at that time was considered high wages. In 1835, he began learning the blacksmith's trade with Thomas TARRANTINE, of Hillsboro, with whom he worked about twenty months. He married, November 17, 1836, Elizabeth A. BECK, daughter of Paul BECK, of Fayette County, Ill., and from this union six children have been born, still living, viz.: Elizabeth J., wife of Fletcher GAMBLE, died in 1862, leaving two children; William M., a farmer in Montgomery County; Eveline, wife of James C. HOLLOWAY, of Litchfield; Emily, wife of Robert FERGUSON, of Montgomery County; John W., of Montgomery County; Alonzo Douglas, a farmer, also of Montgomery County; and Laura, at home. After his marriage, Mr. SIMPSON purchased forty acres near his father's place, which he farmed until his father's death, when he took charge of the homestead and managed it for his mother until her death, when he bought the claims of the other heirs and became sole owner of the homestead, on which he has since lived, engaged in farming; he now owns about four hundred and eighty acres of land. In 1871, he was elected Assessor and Treasurer of Montgomery County, which position he held for two years; he has also filled various other positions of trust; he is a Democrat of the Jackson school.
Extracted 19 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 167-168.
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