The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-08-24

DEATn OF Cot. SYapsoS.-The Carthage
Gazette announces the death of Col. Alex,
ander Simpson, whose name has been q
household word in Hancock county for near
ly quarter of century. The Gazette pays
a glowing tribute to the memory of the de-
ceased, a portion of which we here publish:
Col. Alexander SIMPSON was born in
Green county, Ky, Nov. s, 1907, and was,
therefore, nearly 60 years of age, at the time
of his death. Green county joins Larue, in
which the late President Lincoln was born.
and in his boyhood Col. SIMPSON often met
the future President at the country MILL In
speaking Of his early days he once remarked
to the writer on the strange vicissitudes of
life, saying that in that day his own chances
for the Presidency would have been consid-
cred far better than those of the son of his
fathers poorer neighbor. In 1929 he was
married to Miss Nancy Carter, and in the
spring Of 1897 he removed to our neighbour
ing county of McDonough, settling on farm
u miles north of MAcomb. On the lst Of
July, 1910, he removed to Monmouth. H..
and from thence to Carthage in the spring Of
1874. He came here while the community
was agitated by the Mormon question. and
took strong anti Mormon ground, and a
prominent part in those movements
which led to the expulsion of the
Mormons from the county. An ardent
believer in political doctrines, and extremely
resolute and prompt in the expression of his
opinion, he took an active interest in poiti-
cal matters, belonging to the Wing party
while that party had an existence. In 1855
he was elected clerk of the Illinois House
of Representatives, and at the demise of the
Wing party went with the Republicans. At
the outbreak of the rebellion he threw him>
self with whole soul into the conflict as a
supporter ofthe Union. Anxious to take an
active part in the war, yet beyond the age
which seems to bound the life of a soldier,
| he accepted q commission as Captain and
| Quartermaster and was ordered to Kentucky.
| He was on duty at Lebanon and other parts
of Kentucky, and in Tennessee, for some
time, but was finally assigned to the staff of
| Gen. Crittenden, where he soon attained the
rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He saw cons
tinuous, active and arduous service, during
his entire military career. At Stone river he
| displayed atpersonal gallantry, and the
writer of this sketch we'll remembers
! hearing from him the first encour.
aging words concerning the bal.
tie, after our first disaster on the first
day. He took part in the Chicamauga CAM
paign, and received the thanks Of Gen. Rose.
Grams, for his zeal in the performance of his
duties while our half-starved army lay at
Chattanooga. In 1864 he resigned his com
mission in consequence Of his own shattered
health, and that of his wife. During his
connection with the army he WAS the sol.
dier's friend, and his purse was ever open to
relieve the necessities of the musket carry
ing men:
| His character as private citizen was too
we'll known TO need comment from us. He
was man of the strongest convictions-a
neutral upon no question. The occasional
animosities which men of that stamp invaria.
bly, excite were forgotten and lost in his
many generous actions. His hospitality was
unbounded, and his charities embraced eyery
class of human suffering. Around his grave
men Of every political sentiment met and
acknowledged the power of the reconciler-
Death
He lerves a family of two sons, three
daughters, and an afflicted widow, who re-
ceive the heartfelt sympathy of eommu-
nifty which is involved in common loss.