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Simpson line

Rachel Woods

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

Indiana-born daughter of the Woods family, wife of Nelson Simpson, and mother of the Simpson children who carried the family from Iowa to Phelps County, Nebraska.

Life Story

Rachel Woods was born in Syracuse, Indiana, on 26 October 1833, the daughter of James Alexander Woods and Anna “Hannah” Ritchhart Woods.1, 2, 3

In 1850, Rachel was living with James and Anna Woods in Benton Township, Elkhart County, Indiana. She was recorded as seventeen years old, born in Indiana, and attending school.2 By November 1855, she had moved to Polk County, Iowa, where she witnessed a deed with James A. Woods, who also acted as justice of the peace for the acknowledgment.4 She was still in the James A. Woods household in Elkhart Township, Polk County, Iowa, in the 1856 state census.3

Rachel married Nelson Simpson in Polk County, Iowa, on 10 January 1858. Their marriage return was recorded on 12 February 1858, and the marriage was performed by Simeon Jessup, minister of the gospel.5

In 1860, Nelson and Rachel were living in Franklin Township, Fremont County, Iowa. Nelson was a carpenter, age thirty-four, born in Ohio. Rachel was twenty-four and born in Indiana. John Woods, age twenty, born in Indiana, was living in the household and was likely Rachel’s brother.6

By 1870, Nelson and Rachel had moved to Spring Valley Township, Dallas County, Iowa. Nelson was farming, and the household included Rachel and their three eldest known children: James C., Emery J., and Charles C. Simpson.7

Rachel and Nelson moved from Iowa to Phelps County, Nebraska, by 1885. The 1885 Nebraska census listed Nelson as a farmer in Divide Precinct, Phelps County, with Rachel as his wife and children Emery, Charles, Thomas, and Anna in the household.8 Rachel’s obituary later stated that the family moved from Iowa to Nebraska in 1884 and remained there until her death.1

Rachel continued to hold an interest in Polk County, Iowa, land after the move to Nebraska. In 1886, she and Nelson joined other Woods and Keller family members in conveying Polk County land to Elizabeth M. Keller.9 The following year, Rachel Simpson and Nelson Simpson, her husband, of Phelps County, Nebraska, sold Rachel’s undivided one-sixth interest in another Polk County parcel to J. H. Woods for $600.10

Nelson died in Phelps County, Nebraska, on 15 March 1896, leaving Rachel a widow.11 In 1910, Rachel was living with her son Leslie H. Simpson in Center Township, Phelps County. She was recorded as a widow, age seventy-six, born in Indiana, the mother of six children, all then living.12 She was still living with Leslie in Center Township in January 1920.13 The Nebraska family group is also supported by an 1887 Phelps County school census entry for Nelson Simpson’s school-age children Thomas, Anna, and Leslie.14

Rachel died at her home on 27 March 1920, aged eighty-six years, five months, and one day. Her obituary stated that she was survived by her six children, one brother, sixteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the home, eight miles northeast of Holdrege, by Rev. Bert L. Story of the Methodist Church.1

Research Notes

Parentage

Rachel Woods Simpson was the daughter of James Alexander Woods and Anna “Hannah” Ritchhart Woods. No reviewed record has yet been found that states this relationship in a single direct parent-child phrase, but the conclusion is well supported by correlated evidence.

In 1850, Rachel Woods, age seventeen, born in Indiana, was living in the household of James Woods and Anna Woods in Benton Township, Elkhart County, Indiana.2 By 1856, the same family group was in Elkhart Township, Polk County, Iowa, where Rachel Woods, age twenty-two, born in Indiana, was enumerated with James A. Woods and Anna Woods.3 In November 1855, Rachel Woods witnessed a Polk County deed with James A. Woods, who also acted as justice of the peace.4 The younger James Woods in the 1850 household was only about fifteen years old and cannot have been the mid-1850s justice of the peace, distinguishing the elder James A. Woods from Rachel’s brother of the same name.

Rachel’s later records continue to support the same identification. Her 1910 census entry reported that both of her parents were born in Ohio, matching James and Anna Woods in the 1850 and 1856 census records.12 After James Alexander Woods died in 1886, Rachel participated with Woods and Keller family members in Polk County land transactions, including an 1886 deed to Elizabeth M. Keller and an 1887 sale of Rachel’s own undivided one-sixth interest to J. H. Woods.9, 10 This land evidence is consistent with Rachel being one of the Woods heirs or co-heirs.

James Alexander Woods is memorialized at White Oak Cemetery in Elkhart Township, Polk County, Iowa, with birth and death dates of 2 February 1806 and 20 March 1886.15 Anna “Hannah” Ritchhart Woods is also memorialized at White Oak Cemetery, with birth and death dates of 21 February 1807 and 5 June 1883.16 The reviewed Rachel records identify her mother as Anna Woods through household evidence; the Ritchhart surname and Anna’s parentage belong primarily to Anna’s own profile and should be supported there with direct or stronger family-line sources where available.

Birthplace and Move to Iowa

Rachel’s obituaries state that she was born in Syracuse, Indiana, on 26 October 1833, and this date exactly matches the stated age at death of eighty-six years, five months, and one day.1 Census records consistently support Indiana as her birthplace, except for the 1920 census, which reported her birthplace as Iowa.2, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13 The weight of the evidence supports Indiana.

The obituaries also say that Rachel moved with her parents from Indiana to Iowa “when a child.”1 The record sequence is more specific: Rachel was still in Indiana in October 1850, when she was about seventeen, and was in Polk County, Iowa, by November 1855 and in the James A. Woods household there in 1856.2, 4, 3 For that reason, the biography states only that she had moved to Iowa by 1855/1856.

Woods Family Land Transactions

Rachel’s 1886 and 1887 Polk County deeds are important evidence for her connection to the Woods family. In 1886, Rachel and Nelson Simpson joined James A. Woods, Mary A. Woods, John W. Keller, Lucy Keller, Joseph H. Woods, Thomas Woods, and others in a deed to Elizabeth M. Keller.9 In 1887, Rachel and Nelson sold Rachel’s undivided one-sixth interest in a separate Polk County parcel to J. H. Woods.10 These records do not state the relationships among the grantors, but they are consistent with the reconstructed Woods sibling group and help support Rachel’s identification as a daughter of James Alexander Woods and Anna Woods.

Evidence Timeline

  1. Birth in Indiana

    Rachel's obituaries give Syracuse, Indiana, as her birthplace; most census evidence also supports Indiana.

  2. Benton Township household

    Rachel was living with James and Anna Woods in Elkhart County, Indiana.

  3. Polk County, Iowa

    A deed witness entry and the 1856 Iowa census place Rachel with the Woods family cluster in Polk County.

  4. Marriage to Nelson Simpson

    The marriage return was recorded in Polk County, Iowa.

  5. Iowa Simpson households

    Federal censuses place Rachel and Nelson in Fremont County and then Dallas County, Iowa.

  6. Phelps County, Nebraska

    The Nebraska census places Nelson and Rachel in Divide Precinct, Phelps County.

  7. Woods family land records

    Rachel participated in Polk County land transactions with Woods and Keller family members.

  8. Widowed

    Nelson Simpson died near Holdrege, Nebraska, leaving Rachel as his widow.

  9. Leslie Simpson household

    Rachel lived with her son Leslie in Center Township, Phelps County.

  10. Death near Holdrege

    Rachel died at her home northeast of Holdrege; funeral services were held at the family home.

Family Group Sheet

Spouse / family connection
Nelson Simpson, 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

Places in Rachel Woods's Life

These markers are curated historical place references. Most are town, township, precinct, cemetery, or broad area markers rather than exact home, farm, or birthplace locations.

Documentary Base

Sources

obituary

[1] 1920 Obituaries - Rachel Simpson, Holdrege, Nebraska

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: "Rachel Simpson," obituary, The Holdrege Progress (Holdrege, Nebraska), 1 April 1920, p. 9; clipping, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-holdrege-progress-obituary-for-rache/198544857/ : accessed 29 May 2026), clip created by user davissimpson. Also, "Rachel Simpson," obituary, Holdrege Daily Citizen (Holdrege, Nebraska), 1 April 1920, p. 5; clipping, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/holdrege-daily-citizen-obituary-for-rach/101659520/ : accessed 29 May 2026), clip created by user davissimpson.

Access: Newspapers.com clippings.

Supports:
  • Rachel's birth date and reported birthplace at Syracuse, Indiana.
  • Rachel's death date, age at death, survival by six children, and funeral details.
  • Statement that the family moved from Iowa to Nebraska in 1884.

census

[2] 1850 U.S. Census - James Woods Household, Benton Township, Elkhart County, Indiana

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: 1850 U.S. census, Elkhart County, Indiana, Benton Township, population schedule, dwelling 1923, family 1976, James Woods household, including Rachel Woods, age 17; digital image, FamilySearch, "Fayette, Indiana, United States records" (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6LKQ-GCH?view=explore : accessed 29 May 2026), image 297 of 605; citing National Archives microfilm publication M432, roll 144.

Access: FamilySearch image.

Supports:
  • Rachel Woods in the James and Anna Woods household in 1850.
  • Rachel's age and Indiana birthplace.
  • Household evidence supporting Rachel's parentage.

state census

[3] 1856 Iowa State Census - James A. Woods Household, Elkhart Township, Polk County, Iowa

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: 1856 Iowa state census, Polk County, Iowa, Elkhart Township, James A. Woods household, including Rachel Woods, age 22; digital image, Ancestry.com, Iowa, U.S., State Census Collection, 1836-1925 (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1084/images/IA_64-0215 : accessed 29 May 2026), image no. IA_64-0215; citing State Historical Society of Iowa, microfilm of Iowa state censuses obtained via HeritageQuest.

Access: Ancestry database and image.

Supports:
  • Rachel in the James A. and Anna Woods household in Polk County, Iowa, in 1856.
  • Evidence that Rachel moved from Indiana to Iowa by 1856.
  • Household continuity supporting parentage.

deed

[4] 1855 Polk County Deed - Rachel Woods Witness with James A. Woods

Strong support Back to first citation

Citation: Polk County, Iowa, deed record, v. H, p. 429, Leonard G. Fowler and Caroline Fowler to Adam C. Bailey, deed dated 16 November 1855, filed 13 February 1856, recorded 15 March 1856, witnessed by James A. Woods and Rachel Woods, acknowledged before James A. Woods, J.P.; digital image, FamilySearch, "Polk, Iowa, United States records" (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C33G-G4FK-9?view=explore : accessed 29 May 2026), image 488 of 973; Image Group Number 008533567.

Access: FamilySearch image.

Supports:
  • Rachel Woods in Polk County, Iowa, by November 1855.
  • Rachel's association with James A. Woods, who acted as justice of the peace.
  • Evidence distinguishing the elder James A. Woods from Rachel's younger brother James.

marriage record

[5] 1858 Polk County Marriage - Nelson Simpson and Rachel Woods

Strong support Back to first citation

Citation: Polk County, Iowa, marriage register, Nelson Simpson-Rachel Woods entry, marriage 10 January 1858, return dated 12 February 1858; digital image, FamilySearch, "Polk, Iowa, United States records" (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6317-S2B?view=explore : accessed 29 May 2026), image 241 of 639; citing Polk County (Iowa), Clerk of the District Court, in custody of Iowa County Court (Polk County).

Access: FamilySearch image.

Supports:
  • Marriage of Nelson Simpson and Rachel Woods on 10 January 1858.
  • Polk County, Iowa marriage location.
  • Simeon Jessup as officiant.

census

[6] 1860 U.S. Census - Nelson Simpson Household, Franklin Township, Fremont County, Iowa

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 image.

Supports:
  • Rachel and Nelson in Fremont County, Iowa, in 1860.
  • Rachel's age and Indiana birthplace.
  • John Woods in the household, likely Rachel's brother.

census

[7] 1870 U.S. Census - Nelson Simpson Household, Spring Valley Township, Dallas County, Iowa

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: 1870 U.S. census, Dallas County, Iowa, Spring Valley Township, Adel post office, population schedule, dwelling 38, family 35, Nelson Simpson household, including Rachel Simpson, age 33; digital image, FamilySearch, "Crawford, Iowa, United States records" (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-XCWR-PD?view=explore : accessed 29 May 2026), image 436 of 577; citing National Archives microfilm publication M593, roll 385.

Access: FamilySearch image.

Supports:
  • Rachel and Nelson in Spring Valley Township, Dallas County, Iowa, in 1870.
  • The three eldest known Simpson children in the household.
  • Rachel's Indiana birthplace.

state census

[8] 1885 Nebraska State Census - N. Simpson Household, Divide Precinct, Phelps County

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 image.

Supports:
  • Rachel and Nelson in Phelps County, Nebraska, by 1885.
  • Household members Emery, Charles, Thomas, and Anna.
  • Nebraska migration chronology.

deed

[9] 1886 Polk County Deed - Woods Family to Elizabeth M. Keller

Strong support Back to first citation

Citation: Polk County, Iowa, land deed record no. 147, pp. 308-310, James A. Woods et al. to Elizabeth M. Keller, warranty deed dated 27 August 1886, Rachel Simpson and Nelson Simpson acknowledgment dated 29 September 1886, filed 1 December 1886; digital images, FamilySearch, "Polk, Iowa, United States records" (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C33G-TSZZ-3?view=explore : accessed 29 May 2026), images 506-507 of 677; Image Group Number 008533612.

Access: FamilySearch images.

Supports:
  • Rachel and Nelson participating with Woods and Keller family members in a Polk County land transaction.
  • Evidence supporting Rachel's connection to the Woods family group.

deed

[10] 1887 Polk County Deed - Rachel and Nelson Simpson to J. H. Woods

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" (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3W9-J391?view=explore : accessed 29 May 2026), image 20 of 652; Image Group Number 008593790, item 2 of 3.

Access: FamilySearch image.

Supports:
  • Rachel's undivided one-sixth interest in Polk County land.
  • Rachel and Nelson's residence in Phelps County, Nebraska, by 1887.
  • Land evidence supporting Rachel's Woods-family connection.

obituary

[11] 1896 Obituary - Nelson Simpson

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.

Supports:
  • Nelson Simpson's death on 15 March 1896.
  • Rachel as Nelson's surviving widow.
  • Statement that Nelson left six children.

census

[12] 1910 U.S. Census - Rachel Simpson in Leslie H. Simpson Household, Center Township, Phelps County

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: 1910 U.S. census, Phelps County, Nebraska, Center Township, population schedule, enumeration district 149, sheet 2B, dwelling 16, family 16, Leslie H. Simpson household, including Rachel Simpson, mother, age 76; digital image, FamilySearch, "Nebraska, United States records" (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RK3-YFZ?view=explore : accessed 29 May 2026), image 33 of 1406; citing National Archives microfilm publication T624, roll 853.

Access: FamilySearch image.

Supports:
  • Rachel as a widow living with son Leslie in 1910.
  • Rachel as mother of six children, all living.
  • Rachel's Indiana birthplace and parents' Ohio birthplaces.

census

[13] 1920 U.S. Census - Rachel Simpson in Leslie Simpson Household, Center Township, Phelps County

Needs caution Back to first citation

Citation: 1920 U.S. census, Phelps County, Nebraska, Center Township, population schedule, enumeration district 148, sheet 3B, dwelling 70, family 71, Leslie Simpson household, including Rachel Simpson, mother, age 87; digital image, FamilySearch, "Nebraska, United States records" (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RXN-QD1?view=explore : accessed 29 May 2026), image 36 of 1160; citing United States Bureau of the Census, Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920, National Archives and Records Administration.

Access: FamilySearch image.

Supports:
  • Rachel living with Leslie Simpson in January 1920.
  • Rachel's final census appearance.
  • Birthplace discrepancy, as this census reported Iowa rather than Indiana.

school census

[14] 1887 Phelps County School Census - Nelson Simpson Children

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 image.

Supports:
  • Thomas, Anna, and Leslie Simpson in Nelson and Rachel's household in 1887.
  • Phelps County residence and school-age children.

cemetery memorial

[15] Find a Grave - James Alexander Woods Memorial

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21519540/james-alexander-woods : accessed 29 May 2026), memorial 21519540, James Alexander Woods (2 February 1806-20 March 1886), White Oak Cemetery, Elkhart Township, Polk County, Iowa; memorial maintained by Find a Grave.

Access: Find a Grave memorial.

Supports:
  • Memorial information for James Alexander Woods at White Oak Cemetery.
  • Context for Rachel's father, with the limitation that this is cemetery/memorial evidence rather than Rachel's own parentage record.

cemetery memorial

[16] Find a Grave - Anna Hannah Ritchhart Woods Memorial

Contemporary record Back to first citation

Citation: Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21519607/anna-woods : accessed 29 May 2026), memorial 21519607, Anna "Hannah" Ritchhart Woods (21 February 1807-5 June 1883), White Oak Cemetery, Elkhart Township, Polk County, Iowa; memorial maintained by Find a Grave.

Access: Find a Grave memorial.

Supports:
  • Memorial information for Anna Hannah Ritchhart Woods at White Oak Cemetery.
  • Context for Rachel's mother, with the limitation that Anna's Ritchhart surname should be supported in Anna's own profile.