J. Simpson Africa

John Simpson Africa (September 15, 1832 – August 8, 1900) was an American politician who was Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania from 1883 to 1887.

Early life Africa was born on September 15, 1832 in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. His father, Daniel Africa, was a deputy surveyor and justice of the peace for Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. His paternal great-grandfather, Christopher Africa, immigrated from the Kingdom of Hanover to Germantown, Philadelphia in the middle of the 18th century. His maternal relatives were from Scotland, immigrating to Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1730. His maternal great-grandfather, James Murray, served in a Lancaster County company during the American Revolutionary War.

Africa was educated in the Huntingdon public schools and the Huntingdon Academy. After completing his education, he worked as a surveyor and civil engineer alongside his father and uncle, James Simpson.

In 1875, Africa was appointed deputy Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania by William McCandless. Africa was responsible for organizing the new department. He was the Democratic nominee for Secretary of Internal Affairs in 1878, but lost to Republican Aaron K. Dunkle. The Democratic ticket carried that year's elections, with Africa receiving a plurality of about 37,000. He ran for reelection in 1886, but lost to Republican Thomas J. Stewart 413,795 votes to 367,853.

Writing From 1853 to 1855, he was the owner and editor of Standing Stone, a weekly newspaper.

Personal life On January 1, 1856, Africa married Dorothe C. Greenland, the eldest daughter of Huntingdon County sheriff Joshua Greenland. They had five children, two of who predeceased Africa. Dorothe Africa died on November 15, 1886.