obheader

submitted
by
Dianna

OBITUARY

Wayne County Press
September, 1914

AN OLD PIONEER CALLED

Toliver Simpson of Mill Shoals Township, First Man to Run a Thrashing Machine in Wayne County, Died Monday in Seventy-seveth Year -- Was Widely Known Throughout County

----------- (Ashbury Chapel Correspondent)

Toliver Simpson, son of A.J. . and Susan Simpson, born in Wayne county, Illinois, December 23, 1837, departed his life September 22, 1914. Age 76 years 9 months and 20 days. He was married to Margaret Miracle, December -8, 1858, who departed this life October 1862. This union was blessed with four children; Theodore, Fernando W, Alvarado and William, all of whom preceded him to the better world. He was married the second time to Elizabeth Shearer Marsh 6, 1864, who departed this life July 7, 1891. This union was blessed with four children, Alexander S. Simpson of Mt. Carmel, Ill., Mrs. Alpheis Thackery of Chaffee, Missouri, Alonzo T. Simpson of near Mill Shoals, Mrs. Chester Graddy of Wayne City, Ill., all of whom survive him. He was again married the third time to Mrs. Anna Daniels April 1892.

He professed faith in Christ in 1891 and united with the church at this place (Antioch) and lived a consistent Christian. He was a member of the Masonic Order.

Funeral services took place at Antioch conducted by Bro. Woods of Enfield, former pastor 24 years ago. He was laid to rest, but we shall miss him. There will be one vacant chair
We will linger to caress him
As we breath our evening prayer.

----------- Toliver Simpson owned and operated the first threshing machine (steam) or horse-power either), in, White county. In 1854 he was running an old ground hog separator with horse-power. The majority of the people in White county never saw one of these machine. The grain was beaten out of the straw and went by and improved -------
Mr. Simpson kept pace with the times. He bought the first threshing machine --- owned in White county and --- loaded it at Carmi. It was a Garascott ---
He liked the work and even continued to quit

Toliver Simpson lived in Mil Shoals township but has threshed all over White county, gong below Carmi -- Prairie years after -- for many years to thresh wheat

At the age of 72 he was -ale, hearty and jolly, was running --- threshing, machine and doing it well. He could do more than half a country of experience to use strong phrase