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A prominent member of the
medical profession in Lacombe is Dr. William John Simpson, who is
enjoying an extensive and representative practice and is also mayor of
the town. He was born in Carleton county. Ontario, oil 10th of April,
1864, a son of Samuel C. and Margaret (Kennedy) Simpson, likewise
natives of Ontario. The paternal grandfather, William Simpson, was born
in the north of Ireland and located in Ontario at an early day, making
the trip across the ocean in an old sailing vessel, and coming to
Ontario by way of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. He was active in
the building of the Rideau canal locks at Ottawa. When he came to Canada
the present prosperous community of Ottawa consisted of but a few log
houses, known as Bytown. He was a true pioneer of the country and he
homesteaded land which was nothing but woods. To him fell the laborious
task of clearing it and in due time he had one of the finest farms in
the district, and resided thereon until his demise. The maternal
grandfather, Robert Kennedy, was born in Scotland, but he was all
settler of Lanark county, Ontario. Samuel C. Simpson farmed all of his
life and achieved substantial success in that connection. He was license
inspector at one time and was very active in political affairs, being a
stanch supporter of the Liberal party. To the union of Mr. and Mrs.
Simpson seven children were born, six of whom are now living, Dr.
Simpson whose name introduces this review, being the second in order of
birth. The family was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, in
which Mr. and Mrs. Simpson were zealous and sincere workers.
In the acquirement of his
early education William John Simpson attended the public schools of his
native district and later entered the Carleton Place high school and the
Perth Model School. He was graduated from the Ottawa Collegiate School
and the Ottawa Normal School and subsequently engaged in teaching for
twelve years, being principal of the Carleton county Model School for
seven years. He did not find teaching entirely to his liking, however,
and therefore enrolled in the medical department of Queen's University
at Kingston, from which institution he was graduated in 1899, with the
M. D. degree. On the 14th of July, 1899, he came to Lacombe and has
since practiced here. At first Di'. Simpson was compelled to make his
professional calls on horseback or with a horse and carriage. It was not
long before he built up an extensive general practice and today he ranks
among the foremost members of the profession in the district and
Province.
On the 10th of July,
1899, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Simpson to Miss Esther Isabelle
Hill, a native of Ontario, where she was educated and reared to young
womanhood. To their union three children have been born: Muriel
Huntingdon married C. H. Chapman of Edmonton, who is in the insurance
business, and they have two sons, Robert and Hugh; Isabelle Kennedy
married James S. Daly of Edmonton, who is a veteran of the World war;
Robert Hill, who is farming in this province, is a veteran of the World
war also, having enlisted in 1915 in the sixty- sixth Battalion and
later was transferred to the Thirty-first Battalion. He saw much active
service the latter part of the war, and for some time was in the
Headquarters Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp. After the battle of Vimy
he was poisoned by a scratch from some barbed wire and was confined to
the hospital for four months.
Dr. Simpson is a
consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and has been active in
church and Sunday school work for many years. Fraternally he is a Past
Master of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of
the Independent Order of Foresters. In his political views he is a
Liberal, and has served as president of the Liberal Association for
years and is very active in party affairs. For a number of years after
first coming here he was a member of the school board and has again
resumed a place on the board. He was elected mayor for 1923-24, and his
administration is being characterized by its progressiveness and law
enforcement. Dr. Simpson is essentially public-spirited and has wielded
a great influence for good in this community. A large part of his time
and attention is devoted to his profession and although he was well
grounded in it when he came to Lacombe he has remained a constant
student and through membership in various medical fraternities keeps
well informed on the advancement being made by prominent physicians and
surgeons throughout the country. The doctor's genial and pleasing
personality and his public-spiritedness have won for him many friends
and he is accorded the confidence and esteem of all who know him. |
