Chariton's William H. Simpson could claim a number of distinctions as the years closed in on him during the spring of 1916. At 86, he was among the city's oldest residents, was the oldest member of the city's Masonic lodge and was the only surviving charter member of that organization.
He died, however, in King City, Missouri, on June 15 of that year, a town located northwest of St. Joseph and the home of his son, Harry, with whom he was staying at the time.
William H. Simpson went from labor to his reward Thursday a.m., June 15, 1916, in King City, Mo., from the home of his son, Harry. To him it was a peaceful departure, a glad farewell. But to his loved ones who are left it was a sad goodbye, a sorrowful parting.
Away back yonder in 1829 on the 27th day of June (note that year on tombstone is 1828), he was born in Shelby County, Indiana. His life has been an eventful career. At the early age of 7 years, with his parents, he moved to Burlington, Iowa, and resided there on a farm until he was a man of 24 years. Feeling a call to launch out for himself he emigrated to Chariton, Iowa. At that place he engaged for three years in the real estate business.
In 1856, Mr. Simpson decided to take up a new enterprise and started out as an across country traveling salesman, conveying in a wagon what was then considered a general stock of merchandise, selling to farmer as well as townsman. His route extended from St. Louis over many miles of country road to Chariton, Iowa. This business he found to be very profitable and followed it for seven years, when he gave up the road and embarked in the general mercantile business, locating in his hometown in a large store building of his own, which is still standing as one of the oldest landmarks to be found in the city of Chariton.
Then as a prosperous young merchant, he met Miss Elizabeth Keller of Lucas County, Iowa, and in the autumn of 1867, on October 3rd, they were married. Hand in hand they started down the road of life, much happiness greeted them along the way. They added to their estate here and there, but God would have it more, and the first jewel in their home was when the cry of their first born was heard. They were blessed with five children --- three boys and two girls --- the second boy dying in infancy. The other four children survive.
In 1873 he retired as a merchant and engaged in closing out bankrupt stocks and looking after his own personal affairs. The deepest shadow of all his life fell upon him in 1883, on the 23rd day of July, when his life companion was stricken in death. To this sad event he often referred as his greatest loss and deepest grief. He never remarried.
Mr. Simpson was a Mason for more than a half century. He was a charter member of his lodge and bore the distinction of being not only the oldest charter member living but the only one and the oldest member the lodge ever had, also the oldest citizen in his town.
At one time he united with the Disciples church and gave liberally to the erection of a church house.
This is the closing page of the history of along life. As a father he was very kind, as a husband he was true and loving, as a neighbor he was a Samaritan, and as a citizen he was enterprising and loyal to his country. He leaves to mourn their loss two sons and two daughters, several grandchildren and a host of friends.
The funeral was conducted at his son's residence in the east part of King City Saturday morning at 10 o'clock by J. L.McKay, pastor of the M.E. church, after which the remains, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Simpson and son, were taken to Chariton, Iowa, where the interment took place under the rituals of the Masonic fraternity on June 17th at 4 p.m.
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