John Simpson (Kentucky)

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 Virginia and moved to Kentucky with his family as a child. They settled in Lincoln County and Simpson would attend school in first Danville and then Bardstown.

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.

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. He was elected Speaker of the House from 1810 to 1811; defeating Samuel South and William MacMillan.

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'. 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.

War of 1812
Cemetery, Military Monument-3 cropped.jpg

(Kentucky War Memorial Frankfort, KY)]] During the War of 1812 Simpson once again volunteered for service. On August 15, 1812 he joined the First Rifle Regiment using his political clout to become the regiment's Captain. Under the command of Col. John Allen his regiment helped reinforce Gen. Hull in Detroit. He participated in the Battle of River Raisin on January 22, 1813. He joined the battle during a British counterattack while the regular soldiers where retreating to the river. He was killed early into the retreat. He was later exhumed in September 1834 and reburied in the State Cemetery in Frankfort, Kentucky

Legacy
John Simpson is the namesake of both Simpsonville, Kentucky and Simpson County, Kentucky.