Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1906-10-09
Well Known Montana and ferrous
County Pioneer Passed Away Un-
eApeCtedly al Ranch Home.
FUNERAL HELD THIS AFTERNOON
Old Comrades of the Days of Sixty
Four Act as Pail Bearers-leaves
LARGE Family.

John Simpson, a pioneer Of Montana
and one of the early settlers of the Ju-
dith Basin. died suddenly at his home
on Rock creek. 20 miles from Lewis
town. last Saturday morning between
the hours OF and O'clock Only a
small son and daughter were with him
when the end came. Death. presum-
ably, was due to heart failure
Mr.. Simpson was walking from the
barn to the house when he was siezel
with the fatal attack and, within a
very few moments, was dead. Little
Johnnie, the son. informed the neigh
bors and the sad news was telephoned
to the relatives in this city.
News Of his death spread quickly, and
upon every side, were heard cxpres-
sions of sincerest regrets
The body was brought into this city
and hundreds Of friends visited the un-
dertaking parlors to view the placid
face OF their dead friend
The funeral was held this afternoon
at O'Clock from the M. E. church, the
Rev. Craven, who for over forty years,
has been a close personal friend OF the
Accompanying the body to the church,
and later to the grave, We're score or
more OF old Montana pioneers men
who came here in the early sixties. The
pail bearers N7re Samuel Anderson.
John p. Barns, J. r. Wunderlin Will
am Wunde"lin, Robert Hamilton and
John Brooks. Interment was made In
the city cemetery.
4 would ha iplnoaGiIl. ,gitbjr <hn
confines OF an ordinary newspaper arti-
Gle 70 give an adequate biography of
John Simpson. 1t is a. repetition Of the
old story which can never be told too
often and which will never lose its won
derful interest for the people Of this
country, the story Of the winning of the
west.
The subject OF this brief sketch Waa
born In Pennsylvania on the 7th Of No
vember, 1892. While yet an infant, he
was taken by his parents to Mansfield.
Ohio, where he lived until his 18th year
when his people moved to Washington.
Iowa. In 1853, when young Simpson
was q years Of age, he was attracted
by the alluring stories Of fortunes to be
made in the far western country and
Joined an emlgrant train for Denver.
He remained in that part of the coun-
try for five years, coming into Montana
In "a. He lived in and around Helena
Tor ten years and then went over into
the Gallatin valley where he started
into the ranchng and stockgrowng
business.
He came to Fergus county in 'S8 and
this was his home up to the time Of his
death. He engaged in the ranching and
stOckraising business until 1886 when
he moved to this city and entered the
livery business He was always a good
business man and as a result of his in
dustry, left a considerable estate.
Mr.. Simpson was married to Misc
Jennie Redding in the Gallatin valley
In 1873. From this very happy union.
five girls and one boy survive. The
daughters are: Mrs. Fl. N. Clingan.
Mrs. Archie Harrigan, Mrs, Roy =.
Ayers and Minnie and Mollie Simpson.
The loving wife remains, broken heart-
ed at the loss Of one to whom she had
looked for many years for guidance
and tenderest devotion.
Mr.. Simpson also Is survived by threa
sisters, all older than he and all resi-
dents of Iowa.