Tuolumne
County
Biographies
JOHN G. SIMPSON
John
G. Simpson, who is one of the best known general contractors in the lower
Sacramento Valley and has long been regarded as a most substantial citizen in
his home town of Sonora, is now serving as mayor of this city. He was born on a farm in Fresno County, this
state, April 25, 1872, and is a son of John G. Sr., and Sarah (Baley) Simpson
both of whom were numbered among the real pioneers. The father came to California by way of Cape
Horn, in 1849, and settled in Fresno County, where he engaged in stock
raising. He was successful in business
and also became prominent in local public affairs, having served as a member of
the county board of supervisors. He died
in 1878. His wife crossed the plains in
1849 with her parents who settled at Miller, Fresno County. They came here as members of the Beal train
and were compelled to walk from the Colorado River to Albuquerque.
John
G. Simpson attended the rural schools and his early years were spent in the
handling of sheep. Subsequently he
learned the carpenter trade, which he followed in various cities. In 1907 he located in Sonora and soon
afterward secured a contract to erect the grammar school building. For about twelve years he was superintendent
of a sawmill, and then bought a tract of land, which
he subdivided and called Simpson Terrace, building thereon a large number of
houses, which he sold. He has done much
building in this section of California, his contracts including the Fremont
high school in East Oakland and much work in Modesto and San Francisco, and is
now remodeling the Sonora Inn. He is widely known as a competent and reliable
contractor and builder.
Mr.
Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. McKay, a native of California. By a former marriage he is the father of
three children, Mark, Lawrence, and Mildred.
There are also seven grandchildren.
Politically Mr. Simpson supports the Democratic Party and has long been
actively interested in local public affairs.
He has served as a member of the board of school trustees, was for two
terms a member of the city council and is now filling the office of mayor in a
very able and satisfactory manner. He is
a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Lions Club and is
deservedly popular wherever known.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Wooldridge, J.W.Major History of Sacramento Valley
California, Vol. 3 Pages 267-270. Pioneer Historical
Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.