California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 STEPHEN Q. SIMPSON. Prominent in the annals of Tulare county are the representative business men, among whom Stephen Q. Simpson, a wide-awake, enterprising merchant of Monson and the postmaster of this place, holds an honored position. He is a man of worth and promise, exemplary in his habits, strictly upright in his dealings with his fellow-men, and is deservedly esteemed and respected throughout the community. A son of John Crittenden Simpson, he was born August 12, 1871, in Scotland county, Mo., near Memphis. His grand- father, James Simpson, a native of North Carolina, settled as a pioneer of Greene county, Tenn., and after farming there for a time removed with his family to Scotland county, Mo., where he spent his declining years. Born in Greene county, Tenn., John Crittenden Simpson accompanied the family to Mis- souri, where, following in the footsteps of his progenitors, he engaged in agricultural pursuits, clearing and improving a farm in Scotland county. Taking advantage of the country being opened up by agriculturists in California, he came here with his family in 1875, and for five years lived at Mussel Slough, near old Grangeville. Locating on the plains in 1880, he took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres one-half mile south of Monson, built a residence, made valuable improvements and began raising grain. Successful in his undertak- ings, he has resided there since, and is now largely engaged in stock raising and dairying. Patriotic and energetic, he served in the state militia while a resident of Missouri. He mar- ried Sarah Hicks, who was born in Schuyler county, Mo., a daughter of William Hicks and a sister of Stephen Hicks, in whose sketch, which may be found on another page of this volume, further history of her parents and ancestors is given. Of the five children born of their marriage, three are living, Stephen O. being the second in order of birth. Passing the days of his boyhood and youth in California, principally in the northern part of Tulare county, Stephen 0. Simpson received his elementary education in the Monson district school, completing it at Washington College, in Irvington, where he was graduated in 1892. For five years thereafter he was actively employed in agricultural pursuits in the vicinity of Mon- son, meeting with reasonable success. Wishing to change his occupation, he embarked in mer- cantile pursuits in 1897, opening a store of general merchandise in Monson, and has since built up a large and lucrative trade, his store being well stocked with a fine class of goods of all the kinds usually found in an establishment of that kind. In December, 1897, Mr. Simpson was appointed postmaster by President McKinley, and has since served most satisfactorily to all concerned. In Delano, Cal., November 16, 1899, Mr. Simpson married Rachael Hubbard, who was born in Yolo county, Cal., a daughter of William and Nancy (McBride) Hubbard, both na- tives of Ohio, her mother being a daughter of the late Samuel McBride, who died in Califor- nia. William Hubbard came across the plains to California . in 1864, with his father, Nelson Hubbard. He engaged in farming, being first located in Stanislaus county, then in Fresno county. Pie subsequently bought land near Delano, Kern county, where he is carrying on gen- eral farming and grain raising. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard became the parents of six children, all of whom are living, Mrs. Simpson being the third child. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson two children have been born, Bertha and Edna. Politically Mr. Simpson is a straight- forward Republican, ever loyal to the interests of his party. Religiously he and his wife are active members of the Christian Church, in which he is an elder, and the superintendent of the Sunday school.