John Simpson Africa (Huntingdon, PA)
John Simpson Africa (Sep. 15, 1832 – Aug. 8, 1900)
Biography
- Name: John Simpson Africa
- Birth: September 15, 1832 Huntingdon, PA
- Death: August 8, 1900 Huntingdon, PA
Early life and family
J. Simpson Africa was born in Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania on September 15, 1832. He was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Isabella (Simpson) Africa. His great-grandfather, Christopher Africa, was a native of Hanover, Germany, and upon emigrating to America, settled first at Germantown near Philadelphia, then moved to Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Michael Africa, married Catherine Graffius of York, Pennsylvania and in 1791 they moved to Huntingdon. Thus, Daniel Africa, born in 1794, became a prominent citizen and was deputy surveyor for Huntingdon County from 1824 to 1830 and a justice of the peace for 22 years. Daniel married Elizabeth, a daughter of John Simpson and a native of Bucks County and Revolutionary War veteran.
J. Simpson Africa was educated in the Huntingdon public schools and academy and received instruction in surveying and civil engineering from his father and his uncle, James Simpson. His first work in 1853 was done under Samuel W. Mifflin, chief engineer on the Huntingdon and Broad Top Railroad. He was Huntingdon County Surveyor from 1853-1854 and became one of the foremost surveyors of the state and an authority on its land titles.
For two years, 1853-54, he published and edited the Standing Stone Banner, issued at Huntingdon. He wrote and edited much local historical material, his most extensive and important work of this nature being his "History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties," published in 1883.
J. Simpson Africa was married, January 1 1856, to Dorothea C., daughter of Joshua Greenland, at the time sheriff of Huntingdon county.
Mr. Africa was a member of the Masonic fraternity for more than thirty years. He served as Secretary and Worshipful Master of Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 300, and as Secretary and Most Excellent High Priest of the Standing Stone Chapter, No. 201. He was Right Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of Pennsylvania during the years 1891 and 1892 and was made chairman of the Committee on Temple and member of the Committee on Correspondence of the Grand Chapter.
Banking career
In July 1881, Hon. J. Simpson Africa was elected cashier of the First National Bank of Huntingdon.
In 1882, he became one of the incorporators of the Union Trust Company of Philadelphia, and was elected president from October 1887 until his death in 1900. The Union Trust Company was on the site of the old Masonic Temple at 715-719 Chestnut Street. He would take over as president after the cashier, James M. Taggart, was convicted in May 1887 of embezzling over $100,000. In 1897, the directors elected for 1898 were J. Simpson Africa, Edward Bailey (of Harrisburg), George Alfred Fletcher (Mitchell, Fletcher & Co., Merchants), Thomas G. Hood, William B. Irvine, Joseph I. Keefe, Charles A. Lagen, John P. McGrath, Harry W. Moore, Oscar, R. Meyers, Thomas R. Patton (Treas. Masonic Temple), Edward L. Perkins, William C. Stoever, J. Wesley Supplee (Pres. of the Corn Exchange NB), and Joseph Thomas. The directors elected the following officers: J. Simpson Africa, president; Thomas R. Patton, vice president, George A. Fletcher, second vice president, Richard S. Edwards, secretary and treasurer; and Percy B. Metzger, trust officer. The Union Trust Company had capital of $1,000,000.
In 1897 he was elected as a Director of the Fidelity Mutual Life Association of Philadelphia (1897...1900).
Political Career
In 1858-59, J. Simpson Africa was a journal clerk in the State Senate, and in the latter year was elected to represent Huntingdon county in the Legislature for the 1860 term. He was not a candidate for reelection to the House for the 1861 term.
He was selected by Gen. McCandless as deputy secretary at the time of the organization of the department of Internal Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1873-1879). After adoption of the constitution of 1873 which created the office of Internal Affairs, the first incumbent, McCandless and his deputy, had the duties of organizing that office. Although defeated for the office of secretary in 1878, the notoriety given him made his name come up for the democratic ticket for this office and even that of governor.
In 1880 he was elected chief burgess, city of Huntingdon and named by Senator Wallace as the supervisor for the 7th Pennsylvania District, United States Census. In 1882 he received the unanimous nomination of the Democratic party, and was elected Secretary of Internal Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Democratic ticket had Robert E. Pattison as Governor and they would serve from 1883-1887, but the Democrats were defeated by James A. Beaver in the 1886 election. Pattison would be elected again in 1890 and notably at the time Pennsylvania governors were prohibited from serving multiple consecutive terms. Africa was not on the 1890 ticket.
Later life and death
On August 8, 1900, Hon. J. Simpson Africa died in at the home of his son, B.F. Africa, in the city of Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. He had been in Huntingdon since the 4th of July and was under the constant care of the family physician for bronchial and heart trouble. He was interred in Riverview Cemetery in his home city.
Bank Officer Summary
During his banking career, J. Simpson Africa was involved with the following banks:
- First National Bank, Huntingdon, PA (Charter 31): Cashier 1881-1883
- Union Trust Company, Philadelphia, PA: President 1887-1900
Sources
- Other Bio Info: John Simpson Africa, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Other Bio Info: J. Simpson Africa on Findagrave.com
- Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://bbdata.banknotehistory.com
- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Wed., Jan. 7, 1880.
- Lancaster Intelligencer, Lancaster, PA, Wed., Sep. 29, 1886.
- The Kane Leader, Kane, PA, Thu., Jan. 5, 1888.
- The Philadelphia Times, Philadelphia, PA, Wed., Jan. 13, 1897.
- Altoona Tribune, Altoona, PA, Thu., Aug. 9, 1900.
- Moses King, Philadelphia and Notable Philadelphians, (New York, NY: Blanchard Press, Isaac H. Blanchard Co., 1902), p. 27 and 96.