Harvey Simpson

{{short description|Canadian politician}}

{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}

Harvey Cathcart Simpson (February 11, 1862—January 29, 1928) was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1909 to 1914, as a member of the Conservative Party.

Simpson was born in Ashton, Canada West (now Ontario), and educated at Ashton{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/northernwhoswhob01park|title=Northern who's who: a biographical dictionary of men and women |page=[https://archive.org/details/northernwhoswhob01park/page/748 748] |year=1916 |last=Parker |first=C W }} and Carleton Place.{{cite web |url=http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/simpson_hc.shtml |title=Harvey Cathcart Simpson (1862-1928) |work=Memorable Manitobans |publisher=Manitoba Historical Society |accessdate=2012-11-11}} He came west in 1882, settling in Virden, Manitoba. In religion, Simpson was a Methodist. In 1882, he married Rhodella Armstrong Irwin.

He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in a by-election for the Virden constituency, held on January 11, 1909.{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.mb.ca/hansard/members/mla_bio_deceased.html#S0 |title=MLA Biographies - Deceased |work=Legislative Assembly of Manitoba |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330155427/http://www.gov.mb.ca/hansard/members/mla_bio_deceased.html#S0 |archivedate=2014-03-30 }} He defeated Liberal candidate Robert Forke by 206 votes,{{cite web |url=http://www.electionsmanitoba.ca/galleries/download/Statement_of_Votes/39th_General_Election/2007_statvotes_history.pdf |title=Historical Summaries |publisher=Elections Manitoba |accessdate=2012-09-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306221303/http://www.electionsmanitoba.ca/galleries/download/Statement_of_Votes/39th_General_Election/2007_statvotes_history.pdf |archivedate=2012-03-06 }} and served in the legislature as a backbench supporter of Rodmond Roblin's administration. He was re-elected in the 1910 election.

Simpson lost to Liberal George Clingan by 85 votes in the 1914 election.

He served overseas as a captain during World War I.

Simpson died in Point Grey, British Columbia at the age of 65.{{cite web |url=http://search.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/sn-10B8D68/view/Deaths/find-adv%2B%20callnumber%3D%28%221928-09-402497%20%22%20%29%20AND%20microfilm%3D%28B13134%29%20%2B%2B%2B%2B/1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121203212922/http://search.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/sn-10B8D68/view/Deaths/find-adv%2B%20callnumber%3D(%221928-09-402497%20%22%20)%20AND%20microfilm%3D(B13134)%20%2B%2B%2B%2B/1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-12-03 |title=Vital Event Death Registration |work=Search BC Archives |publisher=British Columbia Archives |accessdate=2012-11-12 }}

His brother James also served as a member of the Manitoba assembly.

Simpson was married to Rhodella Armstrong Irwin on May 31, 1892 in Virden, MB. Together they had 5 children; Fred Irwin Simpson, Edith Frances Simpson, Mary Olive Victoria Simpson, Alice Rhodelle Simpson, and Hattie Mills Simpson.

References