Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 244.

F. B. SIMPSON

     In the vicinity of Jefferson, Marion county, no man is better or more
favorably known than F. B. (Ben) Simpson, who has shown a spirit of
progressiveness in his farming operations that has stamped him as a man of more
than ordinary capability, while as a private citizen he has long been one of the
most influential and public-spirited men of his section of the Willamette
Valley. Mr. Simpson was born in Lane county, Oregon, on the 1st day of December,
1867, and is a son of John C. and Jane (Coulson) Simpson, the former born in
Watertown, New York, while the latter was a native of Harrison county, Missouri.
On the paternal side the family is of Scotch origin, Mr. Simpson's great-
grandfather having served as a colonel in the English army, while his
grandfather was given the title of earl by the British government for his public
services. The family came to America about 1770, locating in Bellville, Ontario,
Canada, in which city the grandmother owned and conducted the first hotel. John
C. Simpson was reared in Canada, securing his education in the public schools,
and in 1860 came to the Pacific coast, making the trip by the way of the isthmus
of Panama. Locating in northern California, he worked in the gold mines for
about one year, and in 1862 came to Lane county, Oregon, where he bought the old
Welsh donation claim, located on Coyote creek, fifteen miles west of Eugene.
Here he made important improvements, developing a fine farm, on which he became
an extensive stock raiser. He lived there for fifty years and for forty years of
that time he served as postmaster of Siuslaw and also maintained a stage station
until the railroad was built through this locality. In 1907 Mr. Simpson sold
that ranch and went to Clarke county, Washington, where he bought a small fruit
farm on which he lived until his death, which occurred in January, 1914. His
wife passed away in 1879. Mr. Simpson's body was taken to the old burying ground
at Lorane, Lane county, where it was laid beside that of his wife. They were the
parents of eight children: Isaac L. and George A., who are deceased; F. B.; Mrs.
Amarilla Brady, who lives in Ashford, Washington; Charles E. and John E., who
live in Lane county; Mrs. Ora Etta Adams, of Bothwell, Washington; and Annie,
deceased. For many years Mr. Simpson was active and prominent in public affairs,
having served' for eight years as a member of the state fair board and for five
years was state lecturer for the Grange. He was an able and fluent speaker, with
a. fund of sparkling wit, and his addresses always attracted attention, while
his services in the interest of the Grange were effective and appreciated.
     F. B. Simpson received his education in the public schools of Lane county
and then learned the trades of harnessmaking and saddlemaking which line of work
he followed for twenty years. In 1895 he came to Marion county and worked at his
trade and at farm work until 1903, when he bought one hundred and seven acres of
raw land on section 16, township 9, range 3 west, located eight miles northwest
of Jefferson, it being a part of the old John S. and Y. E. Nye donation claim,
which was filed on in 1852. He repaired the old house which stood on the
property, built a good barn and a silo, drilled a well and rebuilt all the
fences, and here he has since followed dairying and grain raising, in addition
to which he has also farmed a large tract of leased land, thus operating on a
large scale. He raises principally grain and hay, growing large crops of
alfalfa, and has been very successful along the line of diversified farming. He
keeps ten good cows and a number of hogs, and for the past twenty years has
operated a threshing machine. In 1917, Mr. Simpson built a fine, modem house and
now has a very comfortable and attractive home, his being one of the best farms
in this section of the valley.
     On November 6, 1898, Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie
Beckwith, who was born and reared in Marion county, and is a daughter of Jenks
T. and Sarah (McClemond) Beckwith, the former a native of Michigan, while the
latter was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, New York. Mr. Beckwith was
reared and educated in New York state and in 1872 came west, traveling by rail
to San Francisco, thence by boat to Portland, and by rail to Salem. He and his
wife were employed as cheese makers by Henry Ankeney for two years and in 1874,
Mr. Beckwith bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, located seven miles
northwest of Jefferson. It was covered with a heavy growth of oak grubs,
practically all of which he cleared off, and there he engaged in raising grain,
sheep and trotting horses. As he prospered he bought more property and at the
time of his death, on April 22, 1923, was the owner of two hundred and fifty
acres of well improved land. He is survived by his widow, who still lives on the
home place. To them was born one child, Mrs. Simpson. Mr. Beckwith was for over
fifty years an active member of the Masonic order. He served for eight years as
a member of the board of county commissioners of Marion county, was a stanch
republican In his political views and took a deep interest in everything
pertaining to the progress and development of his locality.
     Mr. and Mrs. Simpson had two children: Jenks C., who was born in Marion
county, and Hattie, who died when two years of age. The son is married and has
two children, Doris Letha, born August 21, 1921, and Nadine Helen, born March 3,
1924. Mr. Simpson is a member of Jefferson Lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M., and he
and his wife are members of Ankeney Grange, No. 540, of which Mr. Simpson was
the first master; Marion County Pomona Grange, the Oregon State Grange and the
National Grange. Mrs. Simpson has served as lecturer of the subordinate grange,
has been treasurer of Ankeney Grange for the past three years, and is a member
of Euclid Chapter, No. 70, 0. E. S., at Jefferson. Mr. Simpson has taken an
active part in local public affairs, having served for fourteen years as a
member of the school board and for three years as road supervisor, during which
period he was instrumental in getting the first three miles of road paving done
in the district. Because of his activities, his success and his friendly manner,
he is deservedly popular throughout his locality and is numbered among Marion
county's representative men.
     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.