Representative John Simpkins

John Simpkins served as a Representative from Massachusetts in the United States Congress from 1895 to 1899. A member of the Republican Party, John Simpkins contributed to the legislative process during 2 terms in office.

John Simpkins’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, John Simpkins participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

John Simpkins (June 27, 1862 – March 27, 1898) was a U.S. representative from Massachusetts. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Simpkins attended the public schools of Yarmouth and St. Mark’s School, Southboro, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University in 1885. From 1890 through 1891 he served as a member of the Massachusetts State Senate. He served as president of the Republican Club of Massachusetts in 1892 and 1893. He served as member of the Republican State committee 1892–1894. Simpkins was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Congresses and served from March 4, 1895, until his death in Washington, D.C., on March 27, 1898. He was interred in Woodside Cemetery, Yarmouth, Massachusetts. He amassed a large collection of books that was donated to the public school he had attended (at 134 Old Main Street in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts) upon his death in 1898. The school was named for him. The school opened in 1930 for grades 1–12. In 1958, after the new Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School was built, it first became a middle school and then an elementary school. In 2006 it closed.