John Simpson

Early life Simpson was born in Virginia and moved to Kentucky with his family as a child during the 1780s. 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 but did not see battle as he stayed behind to guard supplies. 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.

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 Location of Frenchtown and other settlements near the west coast of Lake Erie during the period.

(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 Captain of the regiment's third company. he was killed early into the retreat.