"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a
compilation of this work....by a number of writers".  Chicago: Chapman
Publishing Co., 1903. p. 430.
 
 
JOHN M. SIMPSON

     has lived on his present farm of one hundred and fifty acres, four miles
from Hillsboro, Washington county, since 1867, and, judging from the many
evidences of thrift which greet the beholder of his prosperity, he.has during
this time realized many of his most sanguine expectations. Previous to settling
down in a permanent Western home Mr. Simpson traveled extensively through
California and the northwest, engaged  in various occupations, and perceptibly
broadened his general knowledge of men and events. He was born in Ashtabula
county, Ohio, July 23, 1828, and when two years old was taken by his parents to
Wayne county, Mich., where his father bought a farm and lived for five years.
For the following two years they lived in Huron county, Mich., going thence to
Laporte county, Ind., and at the expiration of four years to Van Buren county,
Mich. This terminated the earthly pilgrimage of the parents, for both of their
deaths occurred in Van Buren county at advanced ages.
     The gold excitement which swept over the country in '49 penetrated the
confines of the Michigan farm, and upset the deliberate calculations of the
farmer lad, John M. Simpson, who, with three companions, started out upon what
proved an adventurous jaunt across the plains.  The men had four yoke of oxen
between them, and February 20, 1849, turned their backs upon tried conditions in
the middle west and hopefully faced the land of the western sea. They chose the
northern route, and when about two hundred and forty miles out from Salt Lake
City, Utah, the oxen gave out, and Mr. Simpson was obliged reluctantly to leave
his teams behind him. With a pack on his back and stout determination in his
heart he sallied forth on foot to Hangtown, Cal., a distance of fourteen hundred
miles, during this long tramp subsisting chiefly on pinola and dried corn meal.
During this entire trip he had no coat or blanket, and at night generally slept
beneath the shelter of a bit of brush. The hardships of such a journey can not
be appreciated by the present generation. It is worthy of note that during his
journey overland he did two things that probably no other man of his day did,
swam the North Platte river, and for a time worked for Brigham Young at Salt
Lake City, while waiting for one of his companions. Footsore and weary he
arrived within the limits of Hangtown August 7, 1849, having accomplished a
really remarkable feat, and one before which the strongest man might be expected
to quail.
     Once in the west Mr. Simpson turned his attention to mining in Eldorado
county, Cal., going thence to Sierra county, where he mined for ten years. He
afterward spent a summer in Boise City, Idaho, and then tried his luck in the
silver mines of Nevada. In the spring of 1865 he went to Virginia City, Mont.,
and Helena, returning thence to Boise City, Idaho, where he mined for a couple
of years. After a winter in Washington county, Ore., he returned to Idaho, and
in the fall of 1866 returned to Washington county and was united in marriage
with Mary A. Stewart, who was born near Witch Hazel, Washington county, a
daughter of Charles and Martha (Woods) Stewart, natives of Missouri, who came to
Oregon in 1846. At this very early day the Stewarts were eight months in
crossing the plains, and they located near Salem, spending the first winter in a
log cabin, and living on boiled wheat.  The following spring they took up land
near Oregon City, but not liking that region gave up their claim and took up a
claim of six hundred and forty acres about eight miles east of Hillsboro.  Here
they erected another log cabin, proceeded to improve and cultivate their land,
and made this their home until the retirement of Mr. Stewart to Hillsboro about
1870. Here this intrepid pioneer died in 1898, on September 3, having attained
to eighty-one years, eleven more than the scriptural allotment. His wife died
August 26, 1902, and was more than seventy years of age.  Mr. Stewart was a man
of leading characteristics, and among the creditable occurrences in his career
was a long service in the Seminole war in 1835. Interested in education, he
helped to organize schools, and was instrumental in securing good highways in
different parts of the county. His wife was a member of the Christian Church.
     After his marriage Mr. Simpson bought one hundred and forty acres of land
near Hillsboro, and after occupying the same for a couple of years sold his
property and bought two hundred and thirty acres, upon which he lived for eight
years.  A still later purchase was the one hundred and fifty acres which is now
his home, where he is carrying on a large dairying and general farming
enterprise. He has been a Mason since 1857, is now a member of Hillsboro Lodge,
and in political affiliation is a Republican. For several terms he served as
road supervisor. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, Franklin A. is a
farmer in Washington county ; Ada P. is deceased ; Katie M. is the wife of
Charles Johnson, owner of a saw-mill in Washington county; Emma is the wife of
Thomas Bowlby ; Mattie is deceased ; John M. lives in Portland, where he is
engaged at his trade as harnessmaker ; and Bessie A. is living at home.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2007 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned 
above.