Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1923-05-24
CONCERNING LIFE OF THE
LATE THOMAS III. SIMPSON

| While so far as we can learn, no
information has reached this place
direct, the GAINESVILLE papers of Mon
day carried the news relative to Mr.
Thomas H. Simpsons will which in
substance is as follows:
| The Simpson homestead is be-
queathed for the use of a public Ii
| brary to be known as the Kate Love
Simpson library. The mayor, pastor
of the Presbyterian church, and the
president of the First National bank
are named as a board of trustees.
| 1t is stated that he also made pro-
vision for two soldiers monuments
here. In addition to the bequests
here, the sum Of SITS, 900 was or
dered distributed among 83 en-
ployes of the Michigan Malleable
! Iron works, Detroit, of which he
was owner. These bequests range
from $500 to $4,000. The balance
of the estate goes to his widow Mrs.
Christine Mcdonald Simpson. The
estate was appraised at $1,250,000.
This week we received newspaper
clippings from the Detroit papers
concerning Mr.. Simpson which were
in part as follows:
Coming from McConnelsville, o.,
his birthplace, 40 years ago, Mr..
Simpson became interested in the
iron industry here. He organized
the Michigan Malleable Iron COM
pany, holding at the time of his
death the office of president and
treasurer. He later formed the
Michigan Sprocket Chain company.
and was president and treasurer of
that organization also. He was
identified with many other business
concerns during his four decades as
manufacturer in Detroit, some of
which he, assisted in establishing,
and was a former president, as well
as one of the founders of the
Board of Commerce. He had an in
ternational reputation in the iron
trade. Mr.. Simpson was an indefa-
tigable worker, designing and build
ing his factories and giving his per-
sonal supervision TO matters which
others would have left to subordi-
mates, and the growth Of his indus
tries was largely the result of his
efforts. Besides devoting his time
to his business enterprises, Mr..
Simpson was an active clubman, be-
longing to the Detroit club, the De-
troit Athletic club, the Country
club, the Old club, and the Detroit
Boat club. He also was member
of Anthony lodge, F. & A. M, and
the Michigan society, Sons of the
American Revolution.
A genial disposition and unvary-
ing generosity and fair dealing with
those with whom he had business
friends. He was particularly inter
ested in the well-being of his en-
ployes and was much beloved by
them, many of whom had been with
| him for years.
| The following is an editorial from
one of the Detroit papers: Young
men may profitably study the life of
| Thomas H. Simpson for the instruc-
tiOn there is in it. Coming to this
city without capital forty years ago,
| Mr. Simpson devoted himself to bus
! mess with a diligence and earnest
ness that speedily carried him into
| the highroad of success, so that at
| the time of his death he was one or
| the leading figures in DetrOit's iron
and steel industry. But Mr.. Simp-
son understood that there are things
in the world besides business that
are worth while. When he found
himself in a position to do so, he in
sisted upon taking recreation along
with his work. He became reader,
a lover of art, a traveller who cir
cled the globe several times and
knew out of the way corners in it.
He enriched his mind with study
and observation that enabled him to
touch life in many fields. And in
| the midst of all his activities he
maintained a constant, strong, dom
inant devotion to his home life
which makes his memory something
| to be tenderly cherished by those
who knew him and enjoyed the
sweetness of his nature.
| In communication from Mr..
Simpsons secretary, We learn that
while it was Mr.. Simpsons request
! that his body be buried here. it
was the suggestion of his wife that
the funeral be held from the Simp-
son library.