G. P. Simpkins
G. P. Simpkins, harness-maker, Jefferson, is a son of John W. Simpkins, a native of Maryland, who, early in the present century, settled at Franklinton, near Columbus, Ohio, where he commenced his business prior to the war of 1812. While engaged in his trade, Gen. Harrison and his troops were on the way from Sandusky to Marietta, Ohio, and stopped with Squire John Simpkins, using his hatter shop for a barracks. For the intrusion, Harrison subsequently appointed Squire Simpkins Commissary, and henceforward he acted in military service until the close of the war, devoting considerable time with Gen. Gaines, after whom our subject is named. About the close of the war of 1812, he and family settled near London, where, in 1815, he buried his wife. His second wife was the widow of John Guynn. While the National road was in process of construction, he settled in Jefferson, where the American Hotel formerly stood. Here he bought a lot in the wilds of nature, cleared and grubbed it and erected on it a building in which he opened a tavern. The building was small, and he expected to build an addition, but before doing so, he sold and moved to London and kept the Cowling House, but subsequently returned to Jefferson, where he died in the spring of 1861. He served Madison County as Associate Judge several years, and Jefferson Township as Justice repeatedly. He was a man of sound mind and an esteemed citizen of the county. Of his four children one only is now living, viz., Gaines P., who was born in July, 1815, near London. He in early life went to Springfield, Ohio, where he learned his trade, but since 1835 he has been a resident of Jefferson where he has mostly conducted his trade. Soon after coming to Jefferson, he was instrumental in forming the military home company. He furnished two sons for the suppression of the rebellion, one of which survived. In 1836, he married Eliza Sidener, of the pioneer stock elsewhere mentioned in this work. Their union has been blest with a family of eight children, four of whom are still living.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]