HARRIS, Simpson
Source: Greencastle Star 17 July 1880 p5
There are two centenarians in Putnam County as shown by the census returns. One of them, Jeremiah Wampler of Monroe township, we have made mention of before, the other is Simpson Harris of Washington township. No other county in this state of the same population can show such a record.
Source: Greencastle Banner 15 July 1880
Two 100-year-olds were listed in the Putnam County Indiana Census, one being Simpson Harris, a War of 1812 soldier. He lived seven more years but in his obituary it said he was 109. He was actually 108 years and 19 days. Born in Orange Co NC he literally (born Jan 1st) brought in the year 1778. He cast his first vote for Jefferson for President in 1801 and voted in each presidential election thereafter. He was later an active member of the Republican Party in Putnam. In 1882, the Greencastle Banner noted that he celebrated his 102nd birthday by voting. In 1885 he was finally granted a pension. He came to Indiana 1821 and lived on the farm where he entered a grant until he passed away. His wife was much younger, having been born 22 years after him. They had at least two children. Uncle Simp as he was familiarly noted had great physical strength in his earlier days. One story told about him was that a large family living nearby him by the name of Lawson who swore they would lick Simp. “One day five of the boys thought they would get him under the influence of liquor then thump him to their hearts’ content. They began the process in the usual way but Harris after getting a bracer or two allowed his liquor to run down his front. When the boys thought him sufficiently mellow they opened up. Uncle Simp braced himself and in about five blows had his assailants sprawled on the ground. He jumped up, cracked his heels together and shouted, “Bring on the rest of ‘em – I can lick the whole regiment of them yet!”
Source: Greencastle Banner, 24 May 1860 p 2
Township Republicans Meetings – Washington Twp – Met at Manhattan, Hon. AD Hamrick acting as President and Volney Smith as Secretary – James McMurray was recommended as one of the candidates for Representative … The following gentlemen were appointed as Delgates to the county convention; … Simpson Harris
Source: Greencastle Banner, 14 April 1858 p 2
At a meeting of the surviving soldiers of the War of 1812, residing in Putnam County held on the 27th day of March 1858, at Greencastle, Col. Alexander S. Farrow was called to the Chair and Joseph F. Farley was appointed secretary. Present: Joseph Denny, William Cooper, Elisha W. Fulton, Eli Brackney, Peter W. Applegate, Jesse Jones, John W. Jones, William Torr, Daniel Walker, George Black, Daniel Harrah, David Eller, Joseph Collier, Joseph F. Farley, Samuel Taylor, John Standiford, Alexander S. Farrow, Hugh Reat, Isaac Mahan and William Atherton. The object of the meeting being to ascertain the names of all the surviving soldiers of the War of 1812, residing in Putnam County, the following names in addition to those present as above is believed to include the entire numbers: Isaac Peck; Elijah Wilkinson; Elza Hill; Thomas Boswell; George Priest; John C. Wingate; John Allen; Eli Tarbuton; Charles Hunter; James Swinford; Lazarus Tilley; John C. Seller; Thomas Gilmore; Lenox M. Knight; Noah Harris; Thomas Lemon; John Cotton; Richard Bowen; James Shields; John F. Seller; Simpson Harris; Joseph Albin; John Reel; Henry Waln; Alexander Wilson; Jacob McVey; John F. Gilky; William Stokes; William McElroy; Archibald Cooper; Robert Palmer; Henry Mills; George justice; Alexander Greenlee; Jacob Picket; Michael Moser; Thomas Tiffin; Robert Miller; James Torr; Scady Chandler; Daniel Chadd; Joseph Dunkin; William King; Joseph Lasley; James Godon; Lewis Shell; John Boswell; Samuel Emerson and Wm. Aldridge. Attest: AS Farrow, Chairman ; JF Farley, Sec’y.