Verrazano Simpson

As printed in 1894

VERRAZANO SIMPSON is a worthy representative of the Inisiness interests of Winona, lie is now engaged in the real-estate and loan business, and in his undertakings is meeting with good success. The record of his life is as follows: A native of New Hampshire, he was born in Windham, on the 31st of December, 1832, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth (McDermaid) Simpson, who were also natives of Windliam. The paternal grandfather, George Simpson, was born in Windham, and was of Scotch-Irish descent, his ancestors having emigrated to this county in 1653. The two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of that event was celebrated by their descendants in 1893. The grandfather was a farmer by occupation, and spent most of his life in his native town, but died at West Rumney, at the very advanced age of ninety-six years. lie was married a second time, at the age of eighty-two, and had two children by that union, who are still living. Nine children were born of the first marriage. Mr. Simpson was a genial, pleasant man fond of joking, and a great over of music. The maternal grandfather, Archibald McDermaid, was a native of Scotland, and coming to America before the beginning of the nineteenth century, located on a claim fifteen miles south of the White Mountains, where he spent his remaining days. He also devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, and was called to the home beyond at the age of eighty-seven. His wife reached the advanced age of ninety-seven. They belonged to the Scotch- Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Benjamin F. Simpson, father of Verrazano, was a i)physician and surgeon, who practiced in Windham for a number of years, and then removed to Lowell, Mass., where he died in 1883, at the age of eighth-four. His wife still survives him, and is living in Lowell at the age of ninety-three. Like her husband, she holds membership with the Unitarian Church. In their family there are four children, three sons and a daughter, namely: Olena, Odanathus, Verrazano and Longinus.

Mr. Simpson, whose name heads this chapter, was reared in Lowell, Mass., and acquired his education in its public schools. During his youth he entered his father's drug store, and for some years did business as a pharmacist. Later he went from Boston to the East Indies as a sailor, and continued before the mast for three years. In 1853 he emigrated westward, having resolved to try his fortune in the Mississippi Valley, and located first in Dubuque, Iowa, where he made his home until 1855, when he came to Winona, Minn., and purchased a couple of lots, for which he [)aid 1,800. This was before the Indian title had expired. Upon his land he erected a store building, and was engaged in merchandising until 1857, when he went into the forwarding commission business, and was a steamboat and railroad agent until 1862, representing a number of eastern lines of railroads before roads were built into Winona.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

On the 20th of November, 1854, Mr. Simpson married Miss Ann, daughter of David and Mary (Ferren) Manahan, of Lowell, Mass. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Elizabeth and Edith. The former is now the wife of E. G. Kevins, of Winona, and they have four children, Guy, Edith, Simpson and Blake. Editii is the wife of Ralph Metcalf, and with their daughter, Elizabeth, they make their home in Tacoraa, Wash. Mr. Simpson's second wife bore the maiden name of Maiy L. Dyer. For his third wife he those Miss Josephine Harb, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Arnold) Ilarb. Tiiey now have one child, Josephine.

In his political views Mr. Simpson is a Democrat, and was honored with an election to the office of Mayor of Winona on two different occasions, which position lie filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituent*. He has always taken an active interest in the city's welfare, and has ever borne his part in the work of progress and advancement. He has probably erected more buildings in Winona than any other of its residents, and with the develop[)inent of the community- his name is inseparably connected. He also owns quite an extensive amount of farm land and has a beautiful home. He possesses excellent business and executive ability, is sagacious and farsighted, and in his undertakings has met a well merited prosperity.

Lafayette Hill.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.