(13 March 1862-17 Oct. 1944), merchant. (James O. Simpson, Ossie Simpson, Osborne Simpson, J.O. Simpson) Born in Alexandria, GC. Parents: John Simpson and his wife Emily Allen. He was associated with his father in the Alexandria firm of John Simpson & Son, and continued the business after his father’s death. The firm of John Simpson & Son ceased operations on 31 Oct. 1919, and at this time the firm of McLeod & Huot (see J.A.R. Huot) took over its location. (Glengarry News 7 Nov. 1919) One year later, in Oct. 1920, James O. Simpson moved to Malone, N.Y. (GN 22 Oct. 1920) In Malone he was involved in the manufacture of automobile tires and afterwards conducted a shoe store. When he died at his home in Malone, he was remembered in his Glengarry News obituary as a “member of one of Alexandria’s pioneer mercantile families.” A considerable number of people from Alexandria attended the funeral in Malone. He married (1) Maude Gertrude MacDonald, and (2) Louise Massey of Malone. He was the brother of William J. Simpson. Mason.

     He was lucky to live to an advanced age, for he was wounded with a pistol shot by Joseph Charlebois in an Alexandria fracas of 1886. The Alexandria Glengarrian, reporting his return from a Montreal hospital the next year, stated that 10 months after the shooting, “the injured young man is not well yet.” Reporting court proceedings, Robert Sellar’s Gleaner newspaper noted that on the day of the incident liquor was being “openly sold in all the Alexandria hotels,” even though the sale of liquor was illegal under the Scott Act.

Glengarry News 20 & 27 Oct. 1944 * Ostrom 312 * with Alexandria town council, in fine group portrait, GN 12 Dec. 1984 * pistol shot: Cornwall Freeholder 24 Sept. 1886, cited DTL Standard Freeholder 21 Sept. 1957; Glengarrian 8 July 1887; Gleaner 3 Nov. 1887; MacGillivray & Ross 124-126, 136-137, 201-203, for context of violence, Scott Act * buys Overland car, GN 4 June 1915 * E. Shanks, son-in-law of J.O. Simpson, appointed to position on royal train, for part of royal visit to Canada, GN 12 May 1939