Simpson, Thomas Jackson

Thomas Jackson Simpson, born in Fresno County on July 13, 1866, was the son of John Greenup Simpson and Sarah M. Baley. His father was a pioneer of 1850 who worked as a supervisor, helped build the academy at Dry Creek, and accumulated nearly 6,000 acres of land before his death. Thomas grew up on the family ranch and received his education at the Academy school. After his father passed away when Thomas was eleven, he took an active role in ranch work until age twenty, when he began his own career as a sheep raiser on leased land west of Fresno.

He expanded his stock operations through a two year partnership with John Baley before selling his sheep interests to his brother William R. Simpson in 1889. Transitioning to the cattle industry, he established his well-known PL brand and acquired 1,550 acres of improved land on Dry Creek. He married Eleanor Ann Perry on January 6, 1889, and together they raised ten children: Edwin R., Ina May, Thomas Russell, Hugh, Annie Laurie, Mary Elizabeth, Ruth, Robert Lee, Sarah Margaret, and Jack Tupper. As a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and a stanch Democrat, he built a reputation as a successful, self-made citizen of Fresno County.