Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - SIMPSON, Robert

Wellington County GenWeb

return

Pioneer - SIMPSON, Robert

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906

SIMPSON, Robert (d.), was the son of Robert Simpson, Sr., who came from Ire. , with his family, in 1828, and set. on the farm just across from where the O.A.C. is now located. Robert Simpson was but five months old when he came with his parents to Guelph, and was raised here. He started out in life for himself at the age of seventeen, and learned the carriage maker's trade, and pursued this trade in Hamilton for a number of years, after which he returned to Guelph, and purchased five acres near the "Bull Frog Tavern," and here continued the carriage making business until he purchased 100 acres, lots 6 and 7, con. 5, Div. D., Guelph Tp., where he resided until his death at the age of sixty-five. As will be seen, Robert Simpson started in life without means, but he was possessed of a good constitution, and a determination to succeed in the world, and by his own exertions, he not only brought up and educated his family, but became a successful and respected citizen of the community. He was a man of strict integrity, and left a nice property at the time of his death. He m. Mary Ritchie, dau. of Andrew Ritchie, the respected pioneer who set. in 1827, on lots 1 and 2, con. 5, Div. C., Guelph Tp. they had four children, viz: Andrew R., who is a successful manufacturer of London Ont., and owns the Guelph Tp. homestead, which he rents; James L., Mrs. James Bowman, wife of James Bowman, the well-known breeder of Polled Angus cattle, and owner of "Elm Park" stock farm, and Robert (d.), James L., his second son, was b. in Guelph. He followed farming for some years, and then purchased the "Speed Vale Mill," built by the Goldies, and at a cost, including the mill race, etc., of over $40,000. This mill he has run successfully ever since. He m. Catharine, dau. of the late Angus McIntosh, of the pioneer McIntosh family, mentioned elsewhere in this work, and they reside in their home near the "Speed Vale Mill," city limits.

From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto:Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906