Duke Williamson Simpson migrated with his wife Louisa and their three young sons from Madison County, Kentucky to Westport, Jackson County, Missouri in 1838 or 1839. He joined his brother in law James Madison Hunter (1803-1871) in operating a mercantile store in Westport, outfitting teams in the Santa Fe Trail trade. Duke’s youngest brother James Madison
Simpson (1807-1863) from 1838 to 1845 was employed as a blacksmith to the Shawnee Indians. The Shawnees’ blacksmith shops were located only a few miles from Westport. Duke W. Simpson’s Westport trading operation flourished in the 1840s until his death in 1853. The trading business expanded because of the Federal government freighting contracts during and following the Mexican-American war and then the boom of trail traffic associated with the California Gold Rush. His mercantile success permitted him in 1849 to construct a Georgian style home, one of the most expensive residences in Westport. It was located on the Santa Fe Trail in Westport at a location now known as 316 Westport Road in Kansas City, Missouri.
Info courtesy of contrib. #48985775
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Simpson (1807-1863) from 1838 to 1845 was employed as a blacksmith to the Shawnee Indians. The Shawnees’ blacksmith shops were located only a few miles from Westport. Duke W. Simpson’s Westport trading operation flourished in the 1840s until his death in 1853. The trading business expanded because of the Federal government freighting contracts during and following the Mexican-American war and then the boom of trail traffic associated with the California Gold Rush. His mercantile success permitted him in 1849 to construct a Georgian style home, one of the most expensive residences in Westport. It was located on the Santa Fe Trail in Westport at a location now known as 316 Westport Road in Kansas City, Missouri.
Info courtesy of contrib. #48985775
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Duke Williamson Simpson migrated with his wife Louisa and their three young sons from Madison County, Kentucky to Westport, Jackson County, Missouri in 1838 or 1839. He joined his brother in law James Madison Hunter (1803-1871) in operating a mercantile store in Westport, outfitting teams in the Santa Fe Trail trade. Duke’s youngest brother James Madison
Simpson (1807-1863) from 1838 to 1845 was employed as a blacksmith to the Shawnee Indians. The Shawnees’ blacksmith shops were located only a few miles from Westport. Duke W. Simpson’s Westport trading operation flourished in the 1840s until his death in 1853. The trading business expanded because of the Federal government freighting contracts during and following the Mexican-American war and then the boom of trail traffic associated with the California Gold Rush. His mercantile success permitted him in 1849 to construct a Georgian style home, one of the most expensive residences in Westport. It was located on the Santa Fe Trail in Westport at a location now known as 316 Westport Road in Kansas City, Missouri.
Info courtesy of contrib. #48985775
---------------
Simpson (1807-1863) from 1838 to 1845 was employed as a blacksmith to the Shawnee Indians. The Shawnees’ blacksmith shops were located only a few miles from Westport. Duke W. Simpson’s Westport trading operation flourished in the 1840s until his death in 1853. The trading business expanded because of the Federal government freighting contracts during and following the Mexican-American war and then the boom of trail traffic associated with the California Gold Rush. His mercantile success permitted him in 1849 to construct a Georgian style home, one of the most expensive residences in Westport. It was located on the Santa Fe Trail in Westport at a location now known as 316 Westport Road in Kansas City, Missouri.
Info courtesy of contrib. #48985775
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