Judge Earnest C. Simpson, who has served since September, 1908, as judge of the court of common pleas of New Haven under appointment of three governors, bears the reputation of being well grounded in the principles of law, while his decisions upon the bench have been notably fair and impartial. Before attaining his majority he had decided upon the practice of law as a life work. He was born in Jefferson City, Tennessee, April 28, 1872, a son of George and Frances Virginia (Shewalter) Simpson. The father, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, was a mechanical engineer who resided for many years in Tennessee and there passed away in May, 1899. His wife, a native of Virginia, was born in 1841 and survived her husband for more than a decade, being called to her final rest on Christmas day of 1909. Their family numbered ten children, of whom the Judge was the fifth in order of birth.

After attending the public schools of Jefferson City, Tennessee, Earnest C. Simpson continued his education in the Carson Newman College of that place and was graduated with the class of 1893. He matriculated in the Yale Law School and won his professional diploma in June, 1899, on the completion of a three years' course. Before beginning his law studies, however, he had learned the printer's trade, which he followed in various print shops and newspaper offices while attending college, his labor during vacation periods enabling him to continue his studies. Having qualified for the bar, he entered at once upon active practice in New Haven and has won recognition as one of the most successful of the young lawyers of the state. When the New Haven paving commission was created in 1901 he became its clerk and served until 1905. In 1905 he was appointed city attorney of New Haven and served in that position for over three years. In 1907 he was appointed by Governor Rollin S. Woodruff judge of the court of common pleas for New Haven county for a four-year term beginning the 8th of September, 1908. When Governor Baldwin became chief executive of the state he was again called to the position and was reappointed by Governor Holcomb in 1915, so that he has served under three of the chief magistrates of the commonwealth. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party but when in office or upon the bench he never allows political opinion to influence his performance of duty.

On the 17th of August, 1912, Judge Simpson was married at Bethlehem, New Hampshire, to Miss Mae E. Hodson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Hodson, of New Haven. They now have two children: Katherine Frances, born June 3, 1913; and George Hodson, born August 10, 1914.

Judge Simpson has had some military training as a member of Company F of the Second Infantry Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard, with which he served from 1904 until July, 1911, attaining the rank of sergeant. In July, 1911, he was appointed battalion quartermaster, with the rank of second lieutenant, on the staff of Major Tilson, serving until March, l912, when he resigned, having qualified and been recommended for first lieutenant. In 1906, at Seagirt, New Jersey, he won the military championship of the United States with a rifle, winning what was known as the President's Match. At present he is inspector of small arms practice of the Second Military District, Connecticut Home Guard. He is a member of the New Haven and Connecticut State Bar Associations, the Connecticut Society of Sons of the American Revolution, the Young Men's Republican Club and various fraternal and social organizations. He is a past master of Hiram Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the Knight Templar degree in the commandery. Ho also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he is connected with the Graduates and the Country Clubs, while the rules which govern his conduct in all life's relations are indicated in the fact that he is a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His ideals of life are high and he embraces every opportunity that enables him to reach their level.