WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Washington County, Utah)
EDGAR RICHMOND SIMPSON
(newspaper publisher)
BIOGRAPHY
Edgar Richmond Simpson was born near Red Lodge, Montana on September 4,1903. He suffered from Rheumatic Fever as a child and dropped out of school after the 8th grade due to poor health.Because of his poor health, his family moved to Eastern Washington where it was felt the change in climate would help Edgar. Edgar never finished high school, but completed courses through the YMCA.
Edgar's older brother, John Paul Simpson, became the owner/publisher of the newspaper in Lind, Washington. When "JP" went to Ephrata, Washington to publish that newspaper, Edgar ran the newspaper in Lind for a time. Edgar then moved to Los Angeles where he worked in a printing job shop owned by an uncle.
In 1929, Edgar bought the Washington County News in St. George from John R. Wallis. Edgar and his wife, Hazel, worked hard to publish a good quality community newspaper serving all of Southwestern Utah and the Arizona Strip.
Edgar was an active member of the St. George community. He was a member of the Rotary club, serving a term as President. Although not Mormons, they were well accepted into the community.
The Simpson's sold the newspaper to a Mr. Lyman in 1947 due to Edgar's poor health. He had suffered throughout his life with heart problems due to the rheumatic fever.
In 1950, they left St. George and returned to Southern California. There they purchased a motel in Arcadia which they operated until his death.
Edgar died on September 17, 1960. He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) in Plot: Meditation, Lot 364, Space 6. Hazel died on March 12, 2002 and is buried at the same location.
FAMILY
|
Edgar & Hazel's Family:
Edgar Richmond Simpson Hazel Marie Simpson Richard Edgar Simpson |
(9/4/1903-9/17/1960) (married xx/xx/xxxx) (xx/xx/xxxx-3/12/2002) (xx/xx/xxxx-xx/xx/xxxx) (married Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx) |
PHOTOS
TBDREFERENCES
1940 Census, see Lines 60-62California Death Index, 1940-1997
Find-A-Grave entry for Edgar Richmond Simpson
Find-A-Grave entry for Hazel Marie Simpson