38 Facts About James Semple

James Semple was an American attorney and politician.

James Semple was Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, Attorney General of Illinois, an associate justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Charge d'Affaires to New Granada, and United States Senator from Illinois.

James Semple served in the Kentucky militia during the War of 1812 and then moved to Missouri, where he was active in the militia and owned and operated several businesses.

James Semple later studied law in Missouri and Kentucky, attained admission to the bar, and moved to Edwardsville, Illinois to start a practice.

James Semple became active in politics as a Democrat, but was opposed to slavery, and he served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1828 to 1832.

James Semple continued his militia service after moving to Illinois, and took part in the Black Hawk War.

From 1838 to 1842, James Semple served as US Charge d'Affaires in New Granada.

James Semple died in Elsah, Illinois, a town he founded, and was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St Louis, Missouri.

James Semple was raised on his father's Clinton County homestead, which John Sample named "76".

James Semple received his early education from his mother, a talented woman educated enough to argue cases in court when no lawyers were available, and was tutored by his uncle Isaac Robertson, who was a graduate of Princeton College.

In 1814, the sixteen-year-old James Semple volunteered for the Kentucky Militia during the War of 1812.

James Semple served until the end war, and in 1817 received a commission as an ensign in Kentucky's 81st Militia Regiment.

In 1818, James Semple moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, but he remained for only nine months before returning to Kentucky.

James Semple moved to Louisville, Kentucky in 1824 to continue his studies, and after three years of learning he was admitted to the bar and returned to Edwardsville in 1827 to start a law practice.

James Semple practiced law in Edwardsville and became active in politics.

James Semple later commanded the 8th Regiment as a colonel, and subsequently attained the rank of brigadier general.

In 1828, James Semple was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, and he served until 1832.

James Semple served as Illinois Attorney General from 1832 to 1834, and did not run for reelection, preferring instead to become a candidate for the Illinois House.

James Semple won a House seat and was chosen to serve as Speaker of the House, a post he held until 1837.

In 1836, James Semple was an unsuccessful candidate for the US Senate.

James Semple had not sought the appointment, but decided to accept.

James Semple was confirmed by the US Senate, and served from October 14,1837 until resigning on March 4,1842.

On January 6,1843, James Semple was appointed an associate justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, filling the vacancy left when Sidney Breese resigned to accept election to the US Senate.

James Semple served until August 16,1843, and was succeeded by James Shields.

James Semple left the court to accept election to the US Senate seat left vacant by the death of Samuel McRoberts.

James Semple served the remainder of the term to which Roberts had been elected, August 16,1843 to March 3,1847, and was not a candidate for reelection in 1846.

James Semple introduced a bill that would have professionalized the consular corps and provided for the payment of salaries in lieu of fees, but it was not adopted during his time in the Senate.

In 1845, James Semple began work on a vehicle he called a prairie car, a forerunner of the automobile.

James Semple's prairie car was a wagon fitted with a steam engine and wide tires that enabled it to run on roads or rough terrain.

James Semple attracted investors in the project, formed a corporation and issued stock, but abandoned the effort when manufacturers proved unable to provide the needed parts, and mechanics proved unable to purchase or make the tools necessary to effect repairs on his prototype.

James Semple left his prototype in a field outside Springfield, where for many years it was pointed out to newcomers to town as "James Semple's Folly".

James Semple was a participant in several businesses, including investing in land north of Alton where he laid out a community known as Sempletown.

James Semple purchased an estate in Jersey County, where in 1853 he founded the town of Elsah, Illinois and owned businesses including a mill and a distillery.

James Semple died in Elsah on December 20,1866 and was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St Louis.

In 1819, James Semple married Ellen Duff Green, a niece of Duff Green.

James Semple died in 1821, and in 1833 Semple married Mary Stevenson Mizner, a daughter of Dr Caldwell Cairns and Mary Cairns, and the widow of Henry Mizner.

James Semple's step-grandson Addison Mizner was a well-known architect, and step-grandson Wilson Mizner was a famous playwright.

Dr Robert Semple, a brother of James Semple, was a founder of Benicia, California, and president of California's 1849 constitutional convention.