HERBERT SIMPSON

Sacramento County

Biographies

HERBERT SIMPSON

HERBERT SIMPSON.--Prominent among the leading contractors in building with brick, Messrs. Simpson Brothers, who are well represented by Herbert Simpson, have exerted an enviable influence in favor of better architecture and more substantial and permanent construction, not only in the capital city, but throughout Sacramento County. Their office and headquarters are at 3980 H Street, Sacramento; and there more than one undertaking of real importance to the locality has been planned.

Herbert Simpson was born at Leicester, England, on June 28, 1881, the son of James H. and Clara (Benson) Simpson, the former a bricklayer, as his father before him had been a builder with brick. He attended the excellent English schools, and then served an apprenticeship with his father; and as a bricklayer he worked among journeymen in that country for five years. While methods and some of the results there are different from those observable here, this great advantage he enjoyed in his native country, that he learned to be painstaking and thorough, and to produce only dependable work.

In 1906, Mr. Simpson came to the United States, and after nine months in Philadelphia, he moved on westward to Sacramento, and in the autumn of that year, began work at the capital as a journeyman. Fourteen years later, when he had become possessed of ample experience, including a valuable knowledge of American and California conditions, he formed a partnership with his brother, Harry, who already been contracting, and knew a deal about that side of the enterprise. They have done the brick work in the State Maintenance Building, for the State Highway Commission, the Crystal Ice plant, the Roseville and the Lincoln schools, and many fine residences. The quality of the work delivered has brought the firm more and more patronage, and they render a superior type of service.

In 1902, Mr. Simpson married Miss Nellie Littlejohn, an attractive English girl, and they have had one child, Elsie. Mr. Simpson belongs to the Sons of St. George, and to the ranks of the Republicans; and when needing restful diversion he is fond of soccer.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 951. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.