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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Knox County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Prof. James M. Simpson, a leading educator of Knox County, was born and reared in Knox County, Mo., his birth occurring January 1, 1860. He is a son of Benjamin and Paulina (Arnold) Simpson, the former a native of Kentucky, and born December 5, 1819. He came to Missouri in the spring of 1858, and settled on a farm in the eastern part of Knox County, where he now lives. The mother was born in Kentucky in 1828, and died October 7, 1864, in Knox County. Our subject remained with his father until he reached his majority, before that time working hard and attending school whenever the opportunity offered. He borrowed money to pay for his first year in college, and then taught until he had accumulated enough money to enable him to complete his course in the Missouri State Normal School, at Kirksville, from which institution he graduated June 17, 1886. He has taught about eight years in all, and is now president of Oaklawn College, in Knox County, which position he has held for two years. July 1, 1886, he was married to Miss Katie M. Funk, daughter of Thomas W. Funk, a native of West Virginia, and Rachael (Johnson) Funk, a native of Virginia. Mrs. Simpson is also a graduate of the Missouri State Normal School, and is a highly educated and intelligent lady, and is now assisting her husband in his profession. Both are worthy and active members of the Christian Church. Our subject advocates Democratic principles, but has never sought nor held public office. He takes great interest in all educational affairs, is a liberal donator to all laudable public enterprises, and is one of the most successful teachers in Northern Missouri.

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This family biography is one of 204 biographies included in the Knox County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Knox County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Knox County, Missouri family biographies here: Knox County, Missouri Biographies

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