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Simpson line

Nelson Simpson

Standard profile
Profile evidence
Well-supported profile
Last reviewed
4 June 2026

Carpenter, farmer, and westward-moving Simpson ancestor, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, later found in Indiana, Iowa, and Phelps County, Nebraska.

Life Story

Nelson Simpson was born near the village of South Bloomfield, Pickaway County, Ohio, on 22 February 1826.1 His parents were Clement Simpson and Aminta “Minty” Dutton Simpson, though Nelson was born in the era before censuses named every member of a household. The relationship is supported by a broader indirect case involving the 1830 and 1840 census households, later Indiana tax records, the migration pattern of the Simpson family, and DNA evidence discussed below.

Nelson was probably the young male child in Clement Simpson’s household in Harrison Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1830. That census did not name household members other than the head of household, but Clement’s household included one free white male under age five, matching Nelson’s expected age.2

By 1840, Clement had died and Aminta had moved the family west to Tippecanoe County, Indiana. A household headed only as “Mrs Simpson” in Wayne Township that year included one free white male age ten to under fifteen, again consistent with Nelson, although the census did not name him directly.3

Nelson appeared by name in Tippecanoe County tax records by 1848, entered as “Simpson Nelson Paid” immediately beside his older brother Thomas Simpson.4 He was still in the county in 1851, marked with one poll on a delinquent tax list.5

By 1857 Nelson had reached Polk County, Iowa, where he witnessed a deed from Miles Dimmitt and Matilda Dimmitt to Joseph B. Stewart.7 Dimmitt was a fellow carpenter who had earlier held a federal land patent in Wayne Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana — the same area where Nelson had appeared on the tax rolls.6 Their presence together in Polk County suggests the two men shared an Indiana-to-Iowa migration path.

The acknowledgment on the 1857 deed was taken by James A. Woods, a local justice of the peace and probably the father of Rachel Woods.7 Six months later, on 10 January 1858, Nelson married Rachel Woods in Polk County. The officiant was Simeon Jessup, and the marriage return was recorded on 12 February 1858.8

In 1860, Nelson and Rachel were enumerated in Franklin Township, Fremont County, Iowa, using the Hamburg post office. Nelson was a thirty-four-year-old carpenter, born in Ohio, with $200 in real estate and $75 in personal estate. Rachel was twenty-four, born in Indiana. Living in the same household was John Woods, Rachel’s younger brother, age twenty, who would die in the Civil War less than two years later. Miles Dimmitt, the carpenter from the 1857 deed, lived next door.9

Nelson continued to take carpentry work for members of the local community after his marriage. In August 1864, he swore to a $9.00 claim against the estate of Simeon Jessup — the same man who had officiated at his marriage to Rachel — for “making Coffin.”10

By 1870, Nelson and Rachel had moved to Spring Valley Township, Dallas County, Iowa. Nelson was enumerated as a forty-four-year-old farmer, born in Ohio, with real estate valued at $1,700 and personal estate valued at $1,125. Rachel, age thirty-three, was born in Indiana. The household included James C., age nine; Emery J., age six; and Charles C., age four, all born in Iowa.11

The family was probably still in Spring Valley Township in 1880. The census page is damaged and obscures the household head’s name, but the household includes Rachel as wife, children whose ages and birthplaces match Nelson and Rachel’s family, and a male head of household, age fifty-seven, born in Ohio, working as a farmer.12

Nelson and Rachel moved from Iowa to Phelps County, Nebraska, by 1885. In the 1885 Nebraska census they were enumerated in Divide Precinct, Phelps County, in dwelling 81, family 83. Nelson was listed as “Simpson N.,” age fifty-nine, married, a farmer, born in Ohio. Rachel was listed as his wife, born in Indiana. Children visible in the household included Emery, Charles, Thomas, and Anna, all born in Iowa.13 This Nebraska census fits the later obituary statement that Nelson came to Phelps County about twelve years before his death.1

Rachel and Nelson maintained ties to Iowa for several years. On 29 June 1887, Rachel and Nelson, both of Phelps County, Nebraska, sold Rachel’s undivided one-sixth interest in land in Polk County, Iowa, to J. H. Woods of Polk County for $600. Their son Charles witnessed the deed, and Henry Sewell of Phelps County acted as witness and notary.14 A Phelps County school census taken in April 1887 listed Nelson as parent or guardian of Thomas, age eighteen; Anna, age sixteen; and Leslie, age thirteen. The household was associated with the southwest quarter of section 36, township 7, range 18.15

Nelson died at his home nine miles northeast of Holdrege, Phelps County, Nebraska, on Sunday morning, 15 March 1896, aged seventy years and twenty-two days. His obituary stated that he had been born near Bloomfield, Ohio, had later come to Iowa, and had settled in Phelps County about twelve years before his death, where he farmed. He left a wife and six children, five boys and one girl. His funeral was held at Union Church, twelve miles northeast of Holdrege, with Rev. J. W. Knott of the Presbyterian Church preaching the sermon. The obituary reported that Nelson was buried in Magill Cemetery.1

A Find a Grave memorial records him at Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege. It is not yet clear whether Magill was a local name for the same cemetery, an older name, or a separate burial place.16 A shorter Phelps County death notice reported that Nelson died of cancer of the stomach and left a widow, five sons, and one daughter.17

Research Notes

Parentage and early census evidence

Nelson is not named in the 1830 or 1840 censuses. The 1830 Clement Simpson household in Pickaway County, Ohio, included one male under five, matching Nelson’s likely age. The number and ages of other family members in that household are also consistent with Aminta and the Simpson children later associated with her in Indiana.2

The 1840 “Mrs Simpson” household in Wayne Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, included one male age ten to under fifteen, also matching Nelson.3 These records support Nelson as a child of Clement Simpson and Aminta Dutton Simpson, but they do not by themselves prove the relationship because pre-1850 censuses did not name non-head household members.

Nelson’s identification as the son of Clement Simpson and Aminta “Minty” Dutton Simpson depends on a broader indirect case: the 1830 and 1840 age-slot evidence; Nelson’s 1848 and 1851 placement in Tippecanoe County near older Simpson relatives; the cluster of presumed Simpson siblings who later appear in Dallas County, Iowa; naming patterns among Nelson and Rachel’s children; and DNA evidence connecting Nelson descendants to descendants of other Simpson and Dutton lines.

Y-DNA evidence

Y-DNA testing of direct male-line descendants from two separate sons or branches of William Simpson supports the documented paternal line back to William Simpson.18 This evidence supports the broader patrilineal Simpson line, but it should not be treated as a standalone proof of Nelson’s placement within the immediate family of Clement Simpson and Aminta Dutton Simpson. Nelson’s parentage rests on the combination of documentary, migration, family-cluster, and DNA evidence.

Evidence Timeline

  1. Birth near South Bloomfield

    Nelson's obituary places his birth near Bloomfield, Pickaway County, Ohio.

  2. Indirect census placement

    Age slots fit Clement Simpson's 1830 household and the 1840 Mrs Simpson household, but neither census names Nelson directly.

  3. Tippecanoe County tax records

    Nelson appears by name in Indiana tax records near Thomas Simpson.

  4. Marriage to Rachel Woods

    The marriage return was recorded in Polk County, Iowa.

  5. Iowa households

    Federal census evidence places Nelson and Rachel in Fremont and Dallas Counties, Iowa.

  6. Phelps County, Nebraska

    The Nebraska census places the family in Divide Precinct, Phelps County.

  7. Death near Holdrege

    Nelson died at home northeast of Holdrege; burial evidence remains ambiguous between Magill and Prairie Home Cemetery.

Family Group Sheet

Spouse / family connection
Rachel Woods, married 10 Jan. 1858 in Polk County, Iowa
Children and direct-line notes
  • James Clement Simpson
  • Emery Joseph Simpson
  • Charles Christian Simpson
  • Thomas Nelson Simpson - direct-line child
  • Anna Elizabeth Simpson Schrack
  • Francis Leslie Simpson

Documentary Base

Sources

obituary

[1] 1896 Nelson Simpson Obituary

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: The Weekly Progress (Holdrege, Nebraska), 20 March 1896, p. 1, obituary for Nelson Simpson; clipping, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-weekly-progress-obituary-for-nelson/76822960/ : accessed 13 May 2026), clip created by user davissimpson.

Access: Newspapers.com clipping, accessed 13 May 2026.

Supports:
  • Nelson Simpson died near Holdrege, Phelps County, Nebraska, on 15 March 1896.
  • The obituary reports his birth near Bloomfield, Ohio, and his later move through Iowa to Phelps County.
  • The obituary reports burial in Magill Cemetery, which remains unresolved against the Prairie Home Cemetery memorial.

census

[2] 1830 Clement Simpson Household Census

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: 1830 U.S. census, Pickaway County, Ohio, Harrison, population schedule, manuscript p. 70, Clement Simpson household; digital image, FamilySearch, "Pickaway, Ohio, United States records," image 148 of 812, Image Group Number 005156961; citing United States Census Office, 5th census, 1830, National Archives and Records Administration.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Clement Simpson's household included one male under age five, matching Nelson Simpson's expected age.
  • The record supports Nelson's placement indirectly because pre-1850 censuses did not name non-head household members.

census

[3] 1840 Mrs Simpson Household Census

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: 1840 U.S. census, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Wayne Township, population schedule, manuscript p. 408, Mrs Simpson household; digital image, FamilySearch, "Tippecanoe, Indiana, United States records," image 451 of 1013, Image Group Number 005154520; citing United States Census Office, 6th census, 1840, National Archives and Records Administration.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • The Mrs Simpson household included one male age ten to under fifteen, consistent with Nelson Simpson.
  • Places a household headed as Mrs. Simpson in Wayne Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in 1840.
  • The household structure is consistent with widowed Aminta and younger members of the Clement Simpson family.
  • Provides an Indiana residence anchor before Aminta's death.

tax record

[4] 1848 Nelson Simpson Tax Duplicate

Strong support Back to first citation

Citation: Tippecanoe County, Indiana, tax duplicate, 1848, entries for "Simpson Nelson Paid" and "Simpson Thomas"; digital image, FamilySearch, "Tippecanoe, Indiana, United States records," image 170 of 277, Image Group Number 110900554; citing Tippecanoe County Auditor and Treasurer, volume B100277600H, Tax Duplicates.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Nelson Simpson appeared by name in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, by 1848.
  • The entry appears immediately beside Thomas Simpson, supporting the local Simpson cluster.

tax record

[5] 1851 Nelson Simpson Delinquent Tax List

Strong support Back to first citation

Citation: Tippecanoe County, Indiana, delinquent tax list, 1851, entry for Simpson Nelson; digital image, FamilySearch, "Tippecanoe, Indiana, United States records," image 231 of 286, Image Group Number 111077429; citing Tippecanoe County Auditor and Treasurer, volume B100279200V, Delinquent List.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Nelson Simpson was still associated with Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in 1851.
  • The record helps document the Indiana stage of Nelson's westward movement.

land record

[6] 1827 Miles Dimmitt Land Patent

Strong support Back to first citation

Citation: United States Bureau of Land Management, federal land patent index card, F.C. no. 1868, Miles Dimmitt, 160 acres, SE 1/4 sec. 27, T17, R13E, 2nd P.M., patent dated 12 March 1827; digital image, FamilySearch, "Indiana Township, Marion, Iowa, United States records," image 419 of 6151, Image Group Number 008394663.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Miles Dimmitt had an earlier land connection in Wayne Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
  • The record provides migration-cluster context for Nelson Simpson's later appearance with Dimmitt in Polk County, Iowa.

deed

[7] 1857 Miles Dimmitt to Joseph Stewart Deed

Strong support Back to first citation

Citation: Polk County, Iowa, deed record, v. K, pp. 600-601, Miles Dimmitt and Matilda Dimmitt to Joseph B. Stewart, deed dated 30 June 1857, acknowledged 30 June 1857, recorded 11 August 1857; digital image, FamilySearch, "Polk, Iowa, United States records," image 650 of 667, Image Group Number 008533569.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Nelson Simpson was in Polk County, Iowa, by June 1857.
  • Nelson witnessed a deed involving Miles Dimmitt, linking him to an Indiana-associated migration cluster.
  • The deed was acknowledged before James A. Woods, probably part of Rachel Woods's family context.

marriage record

[8] 1858 Nelson Simpson and Rachel Woods Marriage

Strong support Back to first citation

Citation: Polk County, Iowa, marriage register, p. 190, Nelson Simpson-Rachel Woods entry, return dated 12 February 1858, marriage dated 10 January 1858; digital image, FamilySearch, "Polk, Iowa, United States records," image 133 of 639, Image Group Number 004310033; citing Polk County (Iowa), Clerk of the District Court, in custody of Iowa County Court (Polk County).

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Nelson Simpson married Rachel Woods on 10 January 1858 in Polk County, Iowa.
  • The marriage return was recorded on 12 February 1858.

census

[9] 1860 Nelson Simpson Household Census

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: 1860 U.S. census, Fremont County, Iowa, Franklin Township, Hamburg post office, population schedule, p. 97, dwelling 745, family 680, Nelson Simpson household; digital image, FamilySearch, "Emmet, Iowa, United States records," image 141 of 182, Image Group Number 005166282; citing National Archives microfilm publication M653, roll 321.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Nelson and Rachel Simpson were enumerated in Fremont County, Iowa, in 1860.
  • Nelson was listed as a carpenter born in Ohio.
  • John Woods and Miles Dimmitt nearby support the family and migration context.

probate record

[10] 1864 Nelson Simpson Coffin Claim

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: Polk County, Iowa, Circuit Court loose probate/court papers, estate of Simeon Jessup, claim of Nelson Simpson, $9.00 "To making Coffin," sworn 16 August 1864; digital image, FamilySearch, "Polk, Iowa, United States records," image 1201 of 1837, Image Group Number 007598192 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89NJ-N94G-R : accessed 14 May 2026).

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed 14 May 2026.

Supports:
  • Nelson Simpson performed carpentry-related work after his marriage.
  • The claim connects Nelson to Simeon Jessup, the officiant of Nelson and Rachel's marriage.

census

[11] 1870 Nelson Simpson Household Census

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: 1870 U.S. census, Dallas County, Iowa, Spring Valley Township, population schedule, dwelling 38, family 35, Nelson Simpson household; digital image, FamilySearch, "Crawford, Iowa, United States records," image 436 of 577, Image Group Number 004263531; citing National Archives microfilm publication M593, roll 385.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Nelson and Rachel Simpson were living in Dallas County, Iowa, in 1870.
  • The household included James C., Emery J., and Charles C. Simpson.
  • Nelson was listed as a farmer born in Ohio.

census

[12] 1880 Probable Nelson Simpson Household Census

Needs caution Back to first citation

Citation: 1880 U.S. census, Dallas County, Iowa, Spring Valley Township, enumeration district 46, supervisor's district 3, p. 30, lines 30-37, probable Nelson Simpson household; digital image, FamilySearch, "Iowa, United States records," image 312 of 932, Image Group Number 005160597; citing National Archives and Records Administration.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • The damaged census page appears to show Rachel and children matching Nelson and Rachel Simpson's family.
  • The head of household is partly obscured, so this record should be treated as probable rather than direct proof.

census

[13] 1885 Nelson Simpson Nebraska Census

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: Nebraska state census, 1885, Phelps County, Divide Precinct, enumeration district 91, p. 8, dwelling 81, family 83, N. Simpson household; digital image, FamilySearch, "Phelps, Nebraska, United States records," image 208 of 476, Image Group Number 004639870; citing Nebraska Superintendent of Census records, National Archives and Records Administration.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Nelson and Rachel Simpson were in Phelps County, Nebraska, by 1885.
  • The household included children Emery, Charles, Thomas, and Anna.
  • The record supports the family migration from Iowa to Nebraska.

deed

[14] 1887 Rachel and Nelson Simpson Deed

Strong support Back to first citation

Citation: Polk County, Iowa, warranty deed record no. 195, p. 18, Rachel Simpson and Nelson Simpson, her husband, to J. H. Woods, warranty deed dated 29 June 1887, filed 6 July 1887; digital image, FamilySearch, "Polk, Iowa, United States records," image 20 of 652, Image Group Number 008593790, item 2 of 3.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Rachel and Nelson Simpson were described as residents of Phelps County, Nebraska, in 1887.
  • Rachel sold her undivided one-sixth interest in Polk County, Iowa, land to J. H. Woods.
  • Charles Simpson witnessed the deed, supporting family context.

school census

[15] 1887 Nelson Simpson School Census

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: Phelps County, Nebraska, school census, district no. [unclear], school year ending first Monday of April 1887, Nelson Simpson entry, children Thomas, Anna, and Leslie Simpson; digital image, FamilySearch, "Phelps, Nebraska, United States records," image 24 of 87, Image Group Number 104993848; citing Nebraska Prairie Museum, Holdrege, Nebraska.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • Nelson Simpson was listed as parent or guardian of Thomas, Anna, and Leslie Simpson in Phelps County, Nebraska.
  • The record places the family near section 36, township 7, range 18.

cemetery memorial

[16] Find a Grave Memorial for Nelson Simpson

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39881958/nelson-simpson : accessed 14 May 2026), memorial 39881958, Nelson Simpson (22 February 1826-15 March 1896), Prairie Home Cemetery, Holdrege, Phelps County, Nebraska; memorial maintained by The Busbooms, contributor 48605773.

Access: Find a Grave memorial, accessed 14 May 2026.

Supports:
  • The memorial places Nelson Simpson at Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, Nebraska.
  • The memorial conflicts or overlaps with the obituary's Magill Cemetery report, so the burial location remains unresolved.

death notice

[17] 1896 Nelson Simpson Death Notice

Strong support Back to first citation

Citation: Nebraska Prairie Museum (Holdrege), Death Notices - Obituaries 1890-1909, vol. 1, clipping dated or annotated 18 March 1896, death notice for Nelson Simpson; digital image, FamilySearch, "Phelps, Nebraska, United States records," image 63 of 209, Image Group Number 104968195.

Access: FamilySearch digital image, accessed during 2026 source review.

Supports:
  • A local death notice reports Nelson Simpson's death in March 1896.
  • The notice says he died of cancer of the stomach and left a widow, five sons, and one daughter.

DNA evidence

[18] Nelson Simpson Y-DNA Evidence Context

Needs caution Back to first citation

Citation: Paternal relationship is supported by Y-chromosome DNA test results on FamilyTreeDNA. Davis Simpson, FTDNA kit B24208, and Lee Simpson, FTDNA kit 436237, match with 6 Big Y STR differences, confirming their direct paternal lines back to their most-recent common ancestor, William Simpson. Both belong to haplogroup R-FGC39762. Citation generated by the WikiTree DNA Confirmation app, version 3.09, updated 25 February 2026.

Access: DNA evidence summary reviewed in 2026.

Supports:
  • Y-DNA supports the broader Simpson patrilineal line back to William Simpson.
  • The DNA evidence should not be treated as standalone proof of Nelson Simpson's immediate parentage.