My Genealogy Hound

W. B. Simpson, a leading farmer of the Eighteenth District was born in Virginia February 6, 1827, and was the son of William and Letice (Walters) Simpson, both of whom were natives of Virginia. His father was born in 1790, and died in 1852. His mother was the daughter of Capt. Robert Walters, a Revolutionary soldier, and a very prominent citizen of his county, and was born in 1785, dying in 1871. After attending the neighborhood schools, where he finished his education, Mr. Simpson was married, January 13, 1848, to Martha S., the daughter of Thomas and Jane C. Gunter, who was born in Virginia September 21, 1831, and died March 15, 1877. To them were born seven children, viz.: Wm. T., John R., Emma C. (wife of W. R. Bowlin, living at Martin, Tenn.), Robert E. L. (living at Dresden), Henry A., Joshua B. and Eugene, all living. For about ten years after his marriage Mr. Eskridge was engaged in merchandising, and then began farming. In 1863 he removed to North Carolina, and in 1871 came to Weakley County, Tenn., and engaging in farming, continued the same to the present. April 6, 1884, he was married to Mrs. L. M. Parrish, daughter of Allen Shanklin. Mrs. Simpson was born in Weakley County, Tenn., in 1841. On May 30, 1861, Mr. Simpson enlisted in the Confederate Army, joining Company C, Thirty-eighth Regiment of Virginia Infantry, of which company he was captain. After one year of service he was compelled to return home on account of ill health. Mr. Simpson is a man of energy, and has done much to assist all public enterprises. Politically he is a Democrat, and cast his maiden vote for Zachariah Taylor for President. He has been a member of the Masonic order for thirty years, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.