Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 844 - 847

LAFAYETTE SIMPSON, engaged in the real-estate business in Wichita, is one of the Directors of Garfield University, and also of the West Side National Bank, Wichita. He occupies a prominent social and business position among the influential citizens of this county. He is a native of Menard County, Ill., born Dec. 23, 1849. His paternal grandfather and his father (James W. Simpson) were born in Kentucky. The former, Joseph Simpson by name, was united in marriage, Feb. 23, 1797, with Ann Espy. Our subject's father was reared on a farm, and followed agricultural pursuits for several years. He was twice married, first to a Miss Hathaway, of Kentucky, by whom he had nine children, as follows: John E., who died during the Mexican War; Joseph E., Katharine A., Julia E.; James and Philip, who died in the late war, and twins, who died in infancy. His second wife was Lucretia Watson, a native of Kentucky, who was the daughter of Arthur and granddaughter of Richard Watson, both natives of Virginia. In 1830 the parents of our subject removed to Illinois, where Mr. Simpson, the father, engaged in farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale in Menard County, remaining there until his death. To him and his wife were born four children, of whom our subject is the only one living. His venerable mother, now seventy-seven years of age, makes her home with him. She is a most estimable lady and a worthy member of the Christian Church, in which her husband was for many years an Elder.

             The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm in the Prairie State, receiving a district school education, and a careful home training from his parents. Since attaining manhood he has been engaged much of the time in farming and stock-raising, and besides building up for himself a reputation as a skilled agriculturist, has distinguished himself as an able financier, a man of sound judgment, and a valuable member of the community. In 1868 Mr. Simpson was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Combs, also of Menard County, Ill., a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Wilson) Combs. Mr. Combs has been dead several years; the mother lives in Cass County, where she is extensively engaged in farming.

             After marriage our subject remained in his native State several years, successfully engaged in his chosen occupation. In 1879, wishing to profit by the superior advantages possessed by Kansas as an agricultural State, he removed to Sedgwick County and settled in Wichita, where he purchased 120 acres of land on the Little Arkansas River. After living there a year and a half Mr. Simpson bought a farm on Cowskin Creek, where he remained ten months before returning to the city of Wichita. A short time after this he removed two and one-half miles northwest of the city, living there until September, 1887, when he again returned to Wichita, and moved into the beautiful residence which he had previously built, at a cost of upward of $15,000, on the corner of Fern and University avenues. There our subject and his wife are enjoying life, surrounded by their five interesting children - Eva E., Maggie P., James S., Kate and Lulu. One child, Julia E., born Jan. 31, 1885, died August 14 of the same year.

             Mr. Simpson is at present engaged in the real-estate business, and besides attending to that, devotes much of his time to the different organizations and enterprises in which he is interested. He is a Director of the West Side National Bank, a Director and stockholder in the Wichita Watch Factory, and a stockholder and Vice-President of the Sedgwick Loan and Investment Company. He became a Director in Garfield University a short time after its organization, and is also one of the Executive Board. In politics Mr. Simpson is an adherent of the Republican party; socially, he is a member of the United Workmen. He takes a genuine interest in the welfare of his community, and is the encourager of all enterprises tending to its moral, intellectual or financial advancement, donating liberally for all improvements for his adopted city. Both he and his excellent wife are valued members of the Christian Church, and rank among the representative people of one of the most popular, cultured and enterprising cities of Kansas.

             Among the many handsome views presented in this ALBUM may be found that of Mr. Simpson's residence. This is one of the most elegant and richly designed dwellings in the city. We can even say more - it compares in beauty of architectural design favorably with the residences on the best avenues of the large cities. It is the enterprising spirit of such men as Mr. Simpson that has done so much for Wichita.

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