James parents were John Simpson (1823-1890) and Ann Gear Simpson (1832-1918).  He was the oldest of ten children.  His father immigrated single from County Armagh, Northern Ireland about 1848 and settled at Reading Corners, near Marsville, On.  Ann came to Canada from Caithness County, northern Scotland in 1843 with her parents and six siblings, and they settled in the Marsville area about 1850.  John and Ann married in 1852 and two years later purchased E1/2 Lot 5. Con. 14 at Reading Corners and ownership of the farm has been in the Simpson family ever since.  Ann's parents were John Gear 1794-1877 and Margaret Flett 1789-1886.  James Henry was born and raised on the pioneer farm and just prior to his marriage, his father purchased 100 acres at NW1/2 Lot 11, Con. 14 1 1/2 miles north of Marsville, where James farmed for almost fifty years.  James H. was elected to the township council when a compararatively young man.  After serving some time as councillor, he was elected Deputy Reeve, and later Reeve, holding these offices over a period of five years.  During the ten years or so when couny councils were elected by direct vote of the people, James H. held the position of Returning Officer for one of the districts inot which Dufferin County was divided.  In this capacity he proved himself an impartial and competent official.  Later he was appointed Township Treasurer, holding this office for thirty years and retiring voluntarily on account of his advancing age. 

He was a robust, vigorous man physically, and experienced his full share of heavy work, making a success of farming.  Genial and pleasant in manner, honest in his dealings with neighbours, and always willing to do a good turn, he was held in high regard by the people of his community.  He was a member of the Diciple Church, a staunch Conservative and was associated for many years with Court Marsville, Canadian Order of Foresters.

Later in his life, in an interview with a local newspaper, James H. stated that in his boyhood days, Orangeville was a mere village with the only connection to the outside world being a stage from Brampton.  Grand Valley was not in existence.  Georgetown was the nearest railway point and much teaming from Marsville district was done to that town, Glenwilliams, Acton and Guelph, thirty to thrity five miles away.  He recalled one week in which he made no less than five trips to Guelph and one to Fergus with produce grown on his father's farm. 

1901 census for East Gary ON WELLINGTON (Centre) (#124), page 2

Simpson James H M   Head M May  9 1853 48
Simpson Annie F   Wife M Oct 3 1855 45
Simpson William H M Son S Dec 4 1876 24
Simpson Bessie L F   Daughter S Jan 21 1881 20
Simpson John S M   Son S Oct 14 1883 17

 The Transcript from Price's Corners Cemetery has his age as in his 83rd year.  A picture of the tomb stone is on file.  