bh39

WAYNE CO., IL

1884 BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES

BARNHILL TWP

bh39

SIMPSON, William.C., teacher, Fairfield, was born April 23, 1853, in this county, and is a son of J. W. and Sallie (Murphy) Simpson. The grandfather of subject, William Simpson, was one of the pioneers of this county, and was a soldier in both the Black Hawk and Mexican wars. The father is also a native of Wayne County, and was born here in 1824. He was a farmer by occupation, and his death occurred in 1880. The mother is a native of Kentucky, and was a daughter of Jeremiah and Ann (Hari) Murphy. She is still living, and is the mother of eight children, of whom six are now living, viz.: Elizabeth A. (deceased), Henry S., Jeremiah B., William C., (our subject), Oliver P., John V., Joseph H. and George P.

Subject was educated in the schools of this county, and at the age of twenty he commenced to teach, and since then has taught mainly in the winter. In the summer, he devotes his attention to tilling the soil, having a farm of 115 acres.

Mr. Simpson has been married twice. His first wife, Martha Johnson, died in 1880, and on September 24, 1883, he was married to Florence Seal, a daughter of Francis Seal, and was born in 1863.

Mrs. Simpson is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Simpson has given his support to the Democratic party. He has served his township as Assessor.