Mary Jane (Harper) Simpson
Marriages
James Simpson - September 4, 1890
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - January 5, 1940
MRS. JAS. SIMPSON DIES IN SALIDA
Death claimed another pioneer lady of Eagle county when Mrs . Mary Simpson of Minturn passed away at a hospital in Salida on Saturday , December 31 , alter a very brief illness. Born in Arcola, ILL., February , 1876, Mary Jane Harper came to Colorado at an early ag , locating at Gilma , Colo., where she attended school. September [4 , 1890 , she was united in marriage to James Simpson at Aspen , Colo . To this union were born five children : Mrs . Lila Grant , Minturn , Colo . ; Mrs . Ella Rose and Mrs . Margaret Stender , Mt . Vernon , Wash . ; Harry Simpson , Minturn , Colo . ; John Simpson , Green River , Wye . Mrs . Simpson was a greatly admired woman , called friend by almost every citizen of Minturn . She was active in all the social and civic affairs of the community . She had long been a member of the Order of the Eastern Star , of wliic ^ order she had recently been elected to the office of worthy matron , but owing to her illness and death had not yet been installed in the office . She was a member of Battle Mountain American Legion Auxiliary , and was chapjin of that unit . For the past seven years she had made her home at the Eagle River Hotel , where she supervised the culinary department . Her husband , James Simpson , passed away in May , 1938 . The five children survive to mourn the loss-of a good and beloved mother , - and there are also four grandchildren and one great grandson surviving . Mrs . Simpson had been in the hospital but a few days , and there was no indication that her illness was serious . About a week before her death , she suffered an injury to one aim , at the elbow , which called for an operation . At the hospital she appered to be in splendid physical condition , aside from the injury , and preparations were being made for the operation to her arm , when she was suddenly seized with an attack of the heart from which she did not revive . Funeral services held in Minturn on Thursday afternoon in charge of the Eastern Star order , were largely attended by sorrowing friends and relatives . The body was taken to Leadville for burial , and there laid beside that of her husband .
