Yuma County, Colorado
Photographs |
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Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:
Loretta (Gandy) Simpson, son James
, Wray
Loretta Gandy on 26 Oct 1845 in Muskingum County, Ohio, married
Henry Simpson.
In 1850 Perry County, Ohio,
Henry Simpson is 26,
Lenetta Simpson 26,
William A. Simpson
3,
George W. Simpson
2, and
John W. Simpson
0.
In 1860 McLean County, Illinois,
Henry Simpson is 36,
Loretta Simpson
36,
George W. Simpson
12,
Nathan Simpson
7, and
James Simpson
5.
In 1870 McLean County, Illinois,
Henry Simpson is
46,
Loretta Simpson
46,
George Simpson a plasterer, 22,
Nathen T. Simpson
17,
James Harvey Simpson
15, and
Martha Jane Simpson
9.
In 1880 Tazewell County,
Henry Simpson is 56,
Loretta Simpson
56 Wife,
Nathan T. Simpson
26 Son, and
Mattie J. Simpson 18 Daughter.
Henry Simpson, born May 1824 in Ohio, died October 17, 1886 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
September 1899 "Grandma Simpson received a letter this week from her son,
N. T. Simpson, formerly of Pasadena, Calif., who is now at work in Honolulu."
In 1900 Wray, Lauretta Simpson is a hotel keeper, 74,
James H. Simpson
42 Son,
Olin J. Simpson
18 Grandson,
Blanch J. Simpson
14 Granddaughter, and
Roy M. Culow
26.
April 1900 "Grandma Simpson has received an announcement of the marriage of her grandson,
Frank Simpson, in McLean county, I11., to Miss Lula Miller. Tho wedding will take place next Wednesday."
May 1901 "Mrs. Wm. McReynolds and daughters Alice and Delia, of Manville, Wyo., are
guests at the Commercial. Mrs. McReynolds is a daughter of Grandma Simpson."
January 1905 "Mrs. Lauretta Simpson sold two lots in West Wray to Mrs. Hadlock Monday."
May 5, 1905 "Last Thursday being the seventy-ninth birthday of Grandma Simpson and
Uncle Peter Campbell, two of our jolliest citizens, their friends planned a surprise far
them at the Commercial Hotel. At the noon hour all gothored around
a table tho like of which was never excelled by tho culinary art.
Many a morry joke was passed between tho two jolly old people. About forty were invited and all
express themselves as having passed the time in a most pleasant and profitable manner."
May 1913 " A letter from J. H. Simpson of Brighton, Colorado, to the Pickett family
in Wray tells of a surprise birthday party that had been planned for his mother,
familiarly known in Wray in the early days of the town as 'Grandma Simpson*.
The affair was held last Sunday afternoon and was attended by over fifty of her neighbors
and friends in and about Brighton. Grandma’s many old Wray friends will be pleased to
learn that she is able to enjoy such pleasant occasions and will be glad to welcome her
back to Wray for a visit this summer as the letter intimates she may pay such a visit
to old friends here then."
Loretta G. (Gandy) Simpson
BIRTH
1821
Ohio,
DEATH
1921
Colorado,
BURIAL
Elmwood Cemetery
Brighton, Adams County, Colorado,
MEMORIAL ID
101384722.
GEORGE
George W. Simpson
BIRTH
13 Nov 1849
Cleves, Hamilton County, Ohio,
DEATH
24 Feb 1923
Patriot, Switzerland County, Indiana,
BURIAL
Eastview Cemetery
Patriot, Switzerland County, Indiana,
MEMORIAL ID
142771049.
JAMES
James H. Simpson married Anna McQueen on 27 Nov 1879 in
in Tazewell County, Illinois.
In 1880 Tazewell County, James Simpson is farming, 24, Anna F. 22 a housekeepr. They're next to Geo W. Philips 29 a farmer, his wie Kate 30 and Leotia 2 daughter.
Anna's stepmother :
Pioneer Resident of Tazewell County Succumbs to the Grip at Mackinaw Tuesday.
Mackinaw, Jan. 18, 1916 (Special.)
Mrs. Mary E. McQueen, a pioneer resident of Tazewell county, passed away at her home here
today of the grip. Her illness was very brief. Deceased recently celebrated her eighty-fifth
birthday anniversary. Deceased was born in Tasewell county and had spent her entire life
in this state. She waa first married when a young woman to a Mr. Phillips -
and two of four children born to this union are living. They are James Phillips, of Chicago,
and Mrs. Fannie Turner, of Texas. She was married a second time to Oswald McQueen about
forty-six years ago and the aged partner, now nearly 100 years, survives her with one child of
the two born to this union, Miss Jessie MoQueen, of Denver. A son, Roy McQueen, died about
twenty years ago. They had resided in Mackinaw.
Deceased was a faithful member of the Christian church and was a kindly Christian woman,
whose presence was always a blessing, She had been a hospital for an operation for
appendicitis and it seemed she gradually lost the use of one of her limbs.
There are the following brothers and sisters, besides the children and aged husband surviving:
Mrs. H. M. John, of Havana, who is now 92 years old; Mrs. Drucilla Phillips, of Missouri;
Mrs. Jennie Burrell, of St. Louis, Mrs. Wattle Hibbard, of Wyoming
Captain John Harvey, of Oklahoma; William Harvey, of Iowa."
The late Hon. W. B. Harvey, of Washington, waa also a brother of the deceased.
Anna McQueen Simpson, born 1857 in Illinois, died in 1889. She's buried in
Grandview Cemetery
Wray, Colorado,
MEMORIAL ID
62303288.
February 1889 " Roy McQueen of Chicago arrived here yesterday for a
visit with his brother-in-law, fine host of the Commercial.
He will remaiu a few weeks so as to see what the air of this locality will do for him."
March 4, 1889 Wray "Roy McQueen, Landlord Simpson's brother-in-law, has gone on to Colorado Springs for his health."
July 1899 "James Simpson has a couple of damage suits on hand.
He allowed the nails in his sidewalk to protrude and Messrs. Weaver and DeHaven,
while going to the post office, had the bosom of their pants caught."
February 1900 Wray "The new reservoir constructed by the See-Bar-See company on the Holy Joe
was completed this week. The land which can be irrigated by the reservoir will be seeded to alfalfa by James Simpson."
The Wray Rattler - Saturday, April 14, 1900 -
Cort D. Thomson is dead. He came up from his
ranch Friday night, suffering with acute pain which developed into pneumonia and
10:50 Wednesday morning (that would be April 11) he passed away. He was attended by his wife during
his illness, and she accompanied the remains to Denver on the1:50 train the same
day. A nephew of the deceased has taken charge of the ranch. Cort
was a heavy drinker and it is said that on account of the ravages made by the
whiskey that he was unable to successfully cope with the disease.
If the April 7 Rattler story is right, Mattie was in time to take Cort to Wray.
Another version says that Mattie suspected Cort was going to sell her horses (he
was in financial difficulty) and had come to prevent that. This version
said Cort developed ptomaine from eating spoiled oysters, and died at sunup
April 12 at "Grandma Simpson's" hotel
Commercial Hotel in 1890.
Commercial Hotel in 1893
Laurette Simpson, born April 1826 in Ohio, is a hotel keeper on Chief Street
in Wray in 1900. (so the old Commercial Hotel by the railroad tracks was not where Cort
died). Her widowed son James, born 1848, is the hotel clerk.
December 1900 "Landlord Simpson has made a Brilliant success in the way of a handsome
street lamp on the Commercial Hotel corner. It is equal to an electric light.
One of our readers says we must keep reminding the citizens of the utility and beauty of
street lamps till all streets are lighted. He says nothing helps the appearance of a city more
than to have the street properly lighted."
Grandson
Olin J. born September 1881 in Illinois and granddaughter Blanch J.
born April 1886 in Nebraska, also live there.
The excitement might have inspired young Olin in December 1900 to participate
in the school newsletter.
THE OWL. -- PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY.
J. C. COUNTER AND J. O. SIMPSON -- Editors and Publishers.
(J.H. Simpson, with Blanch and his mother STILL ALIVE AT 84, have moved to
Brighton, Colorado. In 1910 J.H. is a farmer)
Also residing at the hotel in 1900 is Ray Culow - a 26-year-old dentist (maybe he
assisted in moving Cort Thomson's body to the train depot).
The Commercial Hotel on the west side of Chief Street (now Main Street) was
destroyed in the 1908 downtown fire, "but were able to get their goods out."
August 1901 "Miss Jessie McQueen of Peoria, Ill., is visiting with her brother-in-law, J. H. Simpson, and family, h to is on her return trip from Denver and the mountains. "
"In that early morn of February 2nd, 1903 we stepped off the Burlington train into huge snow drifts piled high by a raging blizzard. Failing to find accommodations at the Davenport hotel it was necessary to wade through snowdrifts on the board walk up to the Simpson Tavern, a frame structure that was later replaced by he National Bank of Wray building. The room obtained was devoid of warmth or blankets. It was a veritable refrigerator. * * * Breakfast in the dining room next morning, was served by a gent whose hips were adorned with a couple of six shooters. Later we learned that the supposed desperado was none other than Jim Simpson, son of Grandma Simpson, who owned the tavern. Jim was too tender hearted, it was said, to kill a jack rabbit. But he was fascinated by trappings worn by some westerners at that tim
February 1903 "James Simpson went to Denver Sunday to visit his children, returning
home Tuesday."
July 1903 "J. Olin Simpson, who has been employed in Denver for tbe past two years,
came down to Wray Saturday evening to visit his father James Simpson."
March 1904
"J. W. Eaton, an old friend of Jim Simpson, visited at the Commercial hotel Sunday. Mr. Eaton lives at Aurora and was a former neighbor of Jim’s when he lived in Nebraska.
"
January 1905
"
Jim Simpson has had a force of hands putting up ice this week.
"
February 1906 "A deal was closed yesterday whereby W. O. Grigsby became owner of
the Simpson hotel building, consideration $3,500. It is understood that Mr. Grigsby
will remove the frame building and build one of brick, which will be used as a
bank and hotel. Mr. Simpson and mother will move to Denver in the neat future."
March 1906 "Grandma Simpson and Miss left today for their new home near Barr,
Colorado. J. H. Simpson left the first of the week."
September 1911 "Miss Blanche L. Simpson and Charles E. Brashear, Jr.,
were married at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Taylor south of Brighton
last Saturday afternoon at four o'clock, Justice Taylor officiating.
Only the immediate relatives and a few intimate friends of the bride and groom
witnessed the happy event.
After the ceremony the wedding party went to Denver by auto and took supper with
the groom's sister, Mrs. Welch. On Sunday morning Mr. Brashear and his bride left
for Los Angeles, Calif., where they will spend a few weeks, and will later go to
northern California, where he will look after some mining interests of his family.
They will return to Brighton about January first and will make their home here,
as Charley will continue with his father in the contracting business.
These popular young people, from two of Brighton's best families, have the
good wishes of everybody in this vicinity, where they have been known since they
were kids. "
August 1918 "T. C. Jennings and family returned last evening from their fishing
excursion in the mountains.
They report visiting with James Simpson and mother, formerly of Wray, while away."
James H. Simpson
BIRTH
1854
DEATH
1925
BURIAL
Elmwood Cemetery
Brighton, Adams County, Colorado,
MEMORIAL ID
101384825.
Jim Simpson, a pioneer of Wray, operating the old hotel where the National Bank of Wray stands, but who has resided in and near Brighton for about twenty years, died in a Denver hospital last week, following an operation for kidney trouble. Mr. Simpson has been in failing health for a number of months. He was buried at Brighton List Saturday, his daughter, formerly Miss Blanch, now married and residing in California, being the only surviving near relative. She was with her father two weeks before his death, and remained for the funeral.
OLIN
March 1900 "At a meeting of the graduating class of 1900 held Thursday,
Olin Simpson was elected president, Harve Cox, secretary, and Zella Weaver, treasurer."
December 1901 "J. Olin Simpson, who has a position with the Denver Times as extra on the
reportorial staff, comes home for the holidays telling of a harrowing experience.
While making the rounds of the hotels in the discharge of his duties he visited the Brown Palace to
obtain their menu for Christmas dinner. He therefore proceeded to the steward's office in the
culinary department and obtaining his information he attempted to leave, but it is about his
departure that this little tale hangs. Now there are a great many exits, he tells us,
from the kitchens of the Brown, and unfortunately Olin had forgotten from which one he entered.
However, screwing up his courage and trusting to his luck, he opened one of the many doors but
alas, he entered the garbage room; trying it again, he entered the store room;
in despair he made a third attempt, but found himself in the dish-washing department.
One of the cooks, seeing his discomfiture, directed him to another door,
but it closed on him in the vegetable department. How he escaped without oil dressing is a
closed book."
September 1905 
February
3, 1905 Wray Gazette
December
17, 1909 Wray Rattler
December 1909 "James Olin Simpson was born at Mackinaw, Illinois, September 17, 1882.
Died at Brighton December 10, 1909,
Hia parents moved to Lincoln, Nebraskn in 1885 and four years later came to Colorado for the
benefit of his mother's health. They located at Wray, where his mother died soon after their
arrival, During several years following he lived with his father and grandmother,
who conducted a hotel at Wray, and here his boyhood life wns spent free from care nnd filled
with tho bright expectancy of youth. He graduated from tho Wray High school in 1900 and the
following year attended business college in Denver. In February, 1902, he entered the
employ of the L. James Mercantile company of Donver, and continued his business relationship
with that firm until about fixe weeks ago when he became ill and came homo,
to rest, with the understanding that he was to return again as soon as he felt able.
Few of his frionds realized the seriousness of his condition. During the time thnt he was
confined to his bed, his grandmother, who has filled his mother's placo for so many years,
his father and sister Blanche, wero with him constantly, administering to his every need.
His Elk brothers, from Denver, camo often to see him, bringing every luxury that could be
procured nnd seeking in every possible way to bring comfort and cheer to his sick room.
Mr. Henry Currey, who was a devoted friond and has exercised a paternal interest in him for
several yenrs, was with the family when the end hour of parting came.
Misa Laura Hughes, his fiancee, is prostrated with grief and has been at the home of her
sister in Denver, under the care of n physician for several days.
On account of her condition the funeral was postponed until Sunday, Decembor 10, when it
will be held at the Elks lodge rooms in Denver, and will be conducted by the members of
that order.
Interment will be at Riverside.
OUn Simpson was one of nature's true noblemen. He lived a broad lifo, gathering in
the flowers which bloomed along his pathway. He anppreciated tho beauties of art
and literature, and he was a lovor of nature. A moro congenial friend and
companion is seldom met. His soul was not blackened with the bitterness
of envy or jealousy, he lived well, lauughed often and lovod much.
He filled his niche and accomplished his task, gainod tho respect of honorable men
and the lovo of his associates. Surely his llfo was a success.
His father, grandmother and sister, and the womnn to whom his troth was pledged
have tho sympathy, of all who know the family,
Brighton Blado"
BLANCHE
In 1940 Billings, Montana,
Charles E. Brashear is 54,
Blanche S. Brashear 54 Wife, and
Virginia C. Brashear
18 Daughter.
" Charles E. Brashear, 75, died in a Polson hospital Friday.
Funeral services are scheduled 10 a.m. Monday in Retz Chapel with the
Rev. W. D. Copeland officiating. The body will be sent Tuesday to Conrad
for burial.
He was born July 19, 1886, in Middleton, Ohio. He was educated at Brighton,
Colo. He was married to Blanche Simpson Sept 2, 1911.
He was a construction engineer and worked 30 years for the U.S. Corps of Army
Engineers. He was a 50-year Mason and a member of the Brighton Lodge.
Survivors are a sister, Mrs. Fred E. Welch, Denver: a brother, Louis,
Albuquerque, N. M. "
Charles Edward Brashear Jr.
BIRTH
17 Sep 1886
Middletown, Butler County, Ohio,
DEATH
16 Mar 1962
Lake County, Montana,
BURIAL
Hillside Cemetery
Conrad, Pondera County, Montana,
MEMORIAL ID
188216336
Jessie Blanche Simpson Brashear
BIRTH
1886
Nebraska,
DEATH
11 Dec 1971
Conrad, Pondera County, Montana,
BURIAL
Hillside Cemetery
Conrad, Pondera County, Montana,
PLOT
Section 2, Block 76, Lot 22
MEMORIAL ID
188216381
" Robert Byers Emrick, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Emrick,
was married this Thursday., November 12h, 1942 to Miss Virginia Brashear,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Brashear of Oak Harbor, Washington.
The wedding was solemnized in the Presbyterian church in Spokane.
Both young people are students at the University of Montana and will graduate
from that Institution at Christmas time.
Miss Brashear is a stranger in Conrad but a popular girl on the college
campus. She is a metmber of spurs and belongs to the Delta Gamma sorority.
Miss Brashear gave an announcement party recently at her sorority house in
Missoula. Bob has lived in Conrad since he was a small boy, graduating in
the class of 1937. He graduated from Shattuck Military Academy at
Faribault, Minn, in 1938. His fraternity is Sigma Chi.
At the present time he is acting Cadet Colonel of the Grizzly regiment
R. O. T. C. Following graduation Bob will enter the army.
The young couple have taken an apartment in Missoula for the school
time until he leaves for the service.
We extend our heartiest congratulations along with many friends. Mrs. Emrick left Wednesday for Spokane to attend the wedding"
In 1950 Conrad, Montana,
Eggleston B. Emrick is
58,
Juanita F. Emrick
52 Wife,
Robert B. Emrick
29 Son,
Virginia C. Emrick 28 Daughter-In-Law,
Susan S. Emrick
3 Granddaughter, and
Bobbi L. Emrick
2 Granddaughter.
Virginia Claire Brashear Emrick
BIRTH
23 Jun 1921
Brighton, Adams County, Colorado,
DEATH
12 Jan 1999
Conrad, Pondera County, Montana,
BURIAL
Hillside Cemetery
Conrad, Pondera County, Montana,
MEMORIAL ID
188215968.
MARTHA
In 1900 Converse County, Wyoming,
William Mcreynolds is
40,
Martha Mcreynolds 38 Wife,
Abbie Mcreynolds
16 Daughter,
Della Mcreynolds
15 Daughter,
Allise Mcreynolds
13 Daughter, and
Joseph P. Mcreynolds
10 Son.
In 1910 Converse County, Wyoming,
William McRenolds is 50,
Martha McRenolds 49 Wife,
Della McRenolds
25 Daughter,
Alice Spaugh
23 Daughter, and
William Spaugh
29 Son-in-law.
Martha Jane Simpson McReynolds
BIRTH
1861
Illinois, USA
DEATH
1930
BURIAL
Dellview Cemetery
Manville, Niobrara County, Wyoming,
MEMORIAL ID
52890668.
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