HIRAM SIMPSON, son of Thomas Simpson and Charlotte (Noble) Akins, was born in Perry County, Ind., in September, 1825. Hiram was one of six children born of this union, viz.: Martha (wife of Mathew Jarboe), Hiram, Elizabeth (wife of Nathan Howell), Mary (wife of Thomas Lewallen), John (died as a young boy) and James (married to Sarah Lawalin). The father was a farmer, born in 1805 in Kentucky, and married Charlotte (Noble) Akins on February 20, 1823, he was a native of Kentucky. (She first married William Akins on September 21, 1819). On April 27, 1843 Thomas Simpson married a second wife, Mariah Noble and to this union four children were born: Zerilda (wife of Moses Sandage, Jr.), Margaret (wife of James H. Royal), Julie A. (wife of Joseph Collignon) and Kesiah. Hiram was reared by his parents on the farm. The family moved several times living in Oil and Anderson Townships. On October 22, 1846 Hiram was united in marriage with Elizabeth Vandover, one of thirteen children born to Thomas and Catharine (Frakes) Vandover, both natives of Kentucky. Elizabeth Vandover was a native of Perry County, her birth occurring in 1830. Hiram and Elizabeth’s union produced ten children, all of whom were raised on the farm. These children were: Thomas (married to Louisa Royal), John (died in infancy), Grayson (married to Nancy Lyons), Charlotte (wife of Elisha Salmon), James (married to Mary Sandage), Elizabeth (wife of John Nichols), Hiram, Jr. (married to Mary Farmer), Mary (wfie of Joseph Stephens), George (married to Sarah Needham) and Isaac (married to Mary O. Lewellan, then to Julia Ann Gleason). Hiram and Elizabeth’s dates of death are uncertain. Elizabeth died and is buried in southern Illinois. Siblings of Elizabeth (Vandover) Simpson are: Catherine (wife of William Huff, Jr.), George, Nancy (wife of Harvey Masterson), Ruth (wife of Daniel Cummings), Sarah (wife of Beufford Southwood), James (married to Mary Howell), John (married to Lucinda Cummings), Hannah (wife of James Mayo), Thomas (married to Mary Ann Huff), Louisa (wife of Jonathan Huff), Conor (married to Mary J. Patton) and Fredrick (married to Mary Snyder).

Information from census, birth and death records as well as family records compiled by Charles Simpson and Deb Murray