Simpson, Albert P.

Albert P. Simpson, born in Ohio on August 23, 1868, was reared in Adams County, Iowa, where he completed his education and entered the mercantile and milling businesses. He first moved to Los Angeles in 1888 to work for the Earl Fruit Company for five years before briefly returning to Iowa to farm. Drawn back to the broader opportunities of the West, he returned to California in 1912 and partnered with E. P. Piper to purchase 1,200 acres of the Jones ranch in Madera County for 32,000 dollars. They laid out the thriving town of Trego with a store, home, school, post office, and irrigation plants, successfully subdividing and selling the land for 75,000 dollars in two years.

In 1914, Mr. Simpson relocated to Fresno and established an auction and commission house, quickly becoming a recognized leader in his field. In addition to his commission business, he auctioned livestock throughout the valley, achieving 95,000 dollars in sales in 1917, including a single five-hour sale on the F. M. Helm ranch that totaled 10,635 dollars. He also contributed his professional services for free to the Red Cross during the late war. Married to Martha Morton, a native of Montgomery County, Iowa, he fathered seven children: Cloyd J., Jr., Mrs. Ethel Johnson, Glenn, Beuhla, Merle, Mildred, and Ruth. As a progressive citizen and enthusiastic booster of Fresno County, his business ventures and community involvement contributed significantly to the growth and development of the region.