John Simpson (Kentucky)

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John Simpson
7th Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives
In office
December 3, 1810 – December, 1812
Preceded by William Logan
Succeeded by Joseph H. Hawkins
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
In office
1806–1811
Personal details
Born Virginia
Died January 22, 1813(1813-01-22)
River Raisin, Michigan
Political party Democratic-Republican
Occupation Attorney
Military service
Allegiance United States
Service/branch US Army
Rank US-O3 insignia.svg Captain 1812-1813
Unit 1st Regiment of Riflemen
Battles/wars Northwest Indian War
Battle of Fallen Timbers
War of 1812
Battle of River Raisin

John Simpson was a United States Army officer, attorney, and politician. Simpson saw military action in both the Northwest Indian War and the War of 1812. He also served 4 terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives including 2 years as the House's Speaker. In 1812 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives but died before he could take office.

Early life

Simpson was born in Virgina and moved to Kentucky with his family as a child[1] . They settled in Lincoln County[1] and Simpson would attend school in first Danville and then Bardstown[2].

Northwest Indian War

During the war Simpson volunteered for the Legion of the United States under the command of Gen. Anthony Wayne. He participated in the final skirmish of war; the Battle of Fallen Timbers[3].

Political Career

After the war Simpson moved to Shelby County, Kentucky where he would study law and become a successful attorney. He went on to be elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives representing Shelby County. He was elected to 4 consecutive terms from 1806 to 1811[3]. He was elected Speaker of the House from 1810 to 1811; defeating Samuel South and William MacMillan[4].

In 1812 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives from the newly created 8th District of Kentucky. Although the 8th district had just been formed he defeated incumbent Stephen Ormsby who had been redistricted from the 3rd. He defeated Ormsby by a 'small margin'[5]. Before taking his seat the War of 1812 broke out and Simpson rejoined the army. Ormsby would later win a special election to be his replacement[6].

War of 1812

Names of American officers who died at Frenchtown
(Kentucky War Memorial Frankfort, KY)

During the War of 1812 he joined the First Rifle Regiment using his political clout to become the regiment's Captain[2]. Under the command of Col. John Allen his regiment helped reinforce Gen. Hull in Detroit[1]. He participated in the Battle of River Raisin and was killed during a British counterattack on January 22, 1813.

Legacy

John Simpson is the namesake of both Simpsonville, Kentucky and Simpson County, Kentucky[2].

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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