University of Virginia Library

PRESTON EDWARD SIMPSON

The subject of this sketch was born in Roanoke
County, Virginia, September 5th, 1873, being a son of
J. M. and Mary E. (Pugh.) Simpson. His father is a
native of Pittsylvania
County, but he settled in
Roanoke County soon
after the Civil War. He
was a volunteer in the
first regiment formed
in Pittsylvania County
in 1861, and served
throughout the four
years conflict, laying
down his arms at Appomattox
when Lee surrendered.
He was the
possessor of a chip from
the old apple tree under
which General Lee signed
the documents declaring
the Confederacy at
an end. He died November
19th, 1909, at the
age of seventy-eight years, leaving five sons and three
daughters.

Preston Edward Simpson was the fourth son. He
received his education in the country schools and began
life as a farmer and fruit grower. At present he
is the manager of a fine farm and orchard, owned
by J. Lewis Logan, of Salem, Virginia. This orchard
contains three thousand trees. He is the owner of a
small Mill Creek farm and has planted thereon some
six or seven hundred Pippin and Johnson's Winter
apples. He is a member of the mercantile firm of
C. M. Conner & Company, at Air Point. He married
Lydia P., daughter of William and Emma Conner, in
December, 1892. Nine children have been born to this
union, eight of whom are living, as follows: Sallie W.,
aged eighteen years; Roxie Mattie, aged fifteen years;
Effie, aged thirteen years; Rachel Virginia and Louise
May, twins, aged ten years; John Moyer and Louis
Morgan, twins, aged four, and Reu