The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1879-06-25
IN nTEAfORIAST.
The Late Judge NafIlansimpson.
fMeirs County Herald. 1


GMeigs County Herald.
The suddenness ofthe siclness anddeatIiI
lofJ1age Simpson, ON the morning OF the.
9th inst, took altliis friends by surprise. z
while Of poor health these last years, ydti
he was generally TO be met with on the
streets almost daily, andnone OF hisfriefids,
anticipated so sudden Termination Of bis
life. In fact, 1t has caused a halt; a sthnd,
still among his numerous friends We can
hardly realize the fact that he has passed
on to the spirit land, yet an old friendcani
not let il pass without paying little frib-
ute to his meinory-at least to.-throw d.
wreath upon his grave In briei, Judge.
Simpson was born in Corinth, Maine, Mag
| 3, 1904; his fatlermoved to Rutland, in this
county, with his family inlSi7. The pounl
ty being almost a wilderness, the advah-
tages OF procuring an education were small,
but such Us they were he awaited himself
OF them; and being Of an active and perse-
yefing cast OF mind, he could never be an
idle or Indifferent spectator OF the passing
scenes around him. Whether in religion,
politics or social gatherings he always took
an active part. In those days there were
but few mail routes, newspapers scarce,
books but few, the bible the textbook in
schools and the family, and daily read; pol
itics none. In those days, religious meet
ings were the only opening for young men
for developing the mind. Judge Simpson,
like many other young men, improved his
gift and spoke in meeting, studied and read
such books as came in his way, and began
to discuss free will, fate, election and other
kindred subjects enthusiastically, as was the
fashion OF 1.-THE day, and soon attracted the
attention OF the older brethren as q gifted
young brother. But another field was COM
ing into view, which attracted his atten-
ton. Politics began to be discussed, and
he took quite an interest in the political
questions OF the day-of public men, like
j. @. Adams, Clay, Webster and others,
and soon found himself quite politician
and about these times, owing TO iavora-
BILE combinations of circumstances, he en-
tered the marriage state. On the 18th day
OF May, 1882, he was married to Miss Livia
Nye, OF Athens county, Ohio; being an in
tellectual woman OF strong mind, She did
much to encourage him to perseverance
and study, and prepare himselffor some OF
the public positions Of life. He listened to
her counsel and commenced renewing his
studies, and in 1884 commenced q course
Of studies at Athens College, and attended
there nearly year; but circumstances OF a
business nature compelled him to quit be-
fore lie had completed the time he had
marked out for himself. But the time he
had spent in college had II marked influ.
ence upon him, and was great help to
him in after life. In 1888, he was elected
by the Legislature OF Ohio one of the As
sociatc Judges of the Court of Common
pleas OF Meigs county, a part which he fill
ed with ability until he resigned in 1874, on
his being admitted to the Bar. III the fall
OF 1913, Judge Simpson, on the advice and
solicitation Of Judge A. Merrill, and the
earnest advice OF his wife, attended the
law department of the Cincinnati College,
and graduated in the spring of 1874, and
was then admitted to the Bar, and formed
a law partnership with the Hon. Samuel L.
Vinton, and continued till Mr.. Ninton took
up his residence in Washington City as his
home. Att latter period he was in part
nership in the law firm Of Simpson & Las
ley. He was an anti-slavery man when
that question began to be u pressure upon
the political parties of the day, and in 1913
he was a candidate on the Free Soil ticket
for Congress; and was twice elected Prose
cutting Attorney for this county. His sec
ond wife was Miss Ann Hendry, married
i'll Sept. 1915. A few years ago he moved
to Mason county, West Virginia, and for
several years practiced law in connection
with his son Perry, at Point Pleasant In
In 1867 he was candidate for q seat in
the Legislature, supported by the Iude-
pendent Republicans and Democrats, and
came within sixty votes of being elected I
Since then his health has been poor and lie
has declined all bushes, but nevertheless
has taken lively interest in public affairs;
but space and time will not permit us to
go further into details In conclusion-he
was a man OF large mind, with good deal |
OF originality of thought; in the law school
as student, he was soon in the front rank,
second to none; at the bar as n jury lawyer,
in an important case with an able oppo-
nent on the opposite side, it never failed to
bring forth his full forensic powers; his log
ic, his strong powers of appeal, made bin
the peer OF any jury lawyer that has APP
pearcd at the bar of AIeigs county. Inpol-
itics-on the stump he was powerful, al
ways commanded an audience and held
his audience, and few of his opponents
cared to meet him in debate He was al
ways u true friend, social in his habits, easy
to form acquaintance, and always the cen
ter OF the group, whether religious, politi.
cal or social; his reading, his illustrations
and colloqual powers were attractive; his
magnetism made him the center of attrac.
ton or head-center OF his friends. But we
must close. He has fought the battle of
life, and as We trust, gone to his reward
Funeral services held in the Presbyterian
Church. conducted by Rev. d. l.. Chaplin,
assisted by Rev. p. S. Davies; text job 10,
ID. Pail bearers were selected from the
legal Profession: Judges Cartwright, Merrill
and Lasley; Maj. d. A, Russell, and Es-
quires I. L. Montague and b, NJ. Cade.
AMIENs.
Died, at the residence of R. J. Love,
near Leon, this county, May 9th, 1879, Of !
consumption, William Burgoyne, eldest
son of Patrick and Margaret Burg oyne, at
the age of 90 years months and IL days,
after II lingering illness OF over IS months.
Again has death visited our community
and with his Observation-Disclosures torn from
widowed mother, her son, the one upon
whom, since the death OF her husband, she
has depended for support and comfort
torn from the sisters-a brother OF whom
they were justly proud, and from all who
knew him, a warm friend and promising
young man. Again our neighborhood has