The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 289 ALEXANDER SIMPSON. Ranching interests near Mabton, Washington, have a typical representative in Alexander Simpson, a progressive agriculturist of that district. There is much credit due him for what he has achieved as he is a self-made man who started out in life empty-handed. A native of Scotland, he was born January 15, 1866, his parents being Alexander and Elsie (Hepburn ) Simpson, the former deceased, but the latter is still living, yet making her home in Scotland. The father followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life. Alexander Simpson of this review was reared in Scotland under the strict guidance of loving parents, who instilled into him the first lessons in regard to life's conduct. He acquired his education in his native land, but upon looking around for business opportunities decided he would find better chances to succeed in life on the other side of the Atlantic, and crossing the ocean, reached Argyle, Minnesota, on the 1st of March, 1888. He there worked for wages for fifteen years, and carefully saying his earnings, he was enabled at the end of that period to take up a homestead claim in folk county, Minnesota, which he subsequently sold. In 1902 he went to California and for five years raised oranges near Pomona but in 1907 sold out. He then came to the Yakima valley, and, buying twenty acres of land on the Moxee, gave his whole attention to the cultivation of this tract for about four years. In 1911 he acquired title to eighty acres near Mabton, of which he later sold twenty. He cleared all of his land, which he has made very valuable, and now raises corn, potatoes and alfalfa, also conducting a dairy and deriving a gratifying income from these various sources. He has made many improvements and instituted modern facilities and machinery and his farm is now one of the most valuable in his neighborhood. He has a fine home and suitable barns and other outbuildings and everything about the place bespeaks the progressive methods of the owner. On March 9, 1898, Mr. Simpson was married to Miss Katie Johnson, a native of Red Wing, Minnesota, and a daughter of Martin Johnson, who was a successful rancher at Ada Minnesota. To this union were born six children, of whom Roy, the eldest, died at the age of eighteen years. The others are Alexander, Elsie, Edna, George and Norman. Mrs. Simpson died in February, 1916, after eighteen years of happy married life, her death was a great blow to the family and caused deep sorrow to her many friends, as she was a woman of high qualities of character, who was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in need. Mr. Simpson is numbered among the pioneers of his district, having now for a number of years been connected with its development not only to his own benefit but to the advantage of the community at large. He was the first to get water in his neighborhood and the first to realize the importance of irrigation. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and their religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he is actively and helpfully interested. In politics he is a republican, believing thoroughly in the principles of that organization. He has never regretted the step which he took in crossing the ocean, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and through their utilization has attained a substantial and honored position in life. He has made many friends in Yakima county, all of whom appreciate his sterling qualities, and his word is as good as his bond. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.