Oramel H. Simpson became governor of the state of Louisiana upon the death of his predecessor, Henry L. Fuqua.

Oramel H. Simpson
39th Governor of Louisiana
In office
October 11, 1926 – May 21, 1928
LieutenantPhilip H. Gilbert
Preceded byHenry L. Fuqua
Succeeded byHuey Long
31st Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
In office
May 13, 1924 – October 11, 1926
GovernorHenry L. Fuqua
Preceded byDelos Johnson
Succeeded byPhilip Gilbert
Personal details
Born
Oramel Hinckley Simpson

(1870-03-20)March 20, 1870
Washington, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedNovember 17, 1932(1932-11-17) (aged 62)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Resting placeGreenwood Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Louise Ernestine Pichet
(m. 1899)
EducationCentenary College of Louisiana
Tulane University

Simpson was born in Washington, Louisiana on March 20, 1870 and was educated at Centenary College at Jackson and Tulane University Law School. He achieved the rank of lieutenant governor before Fuqua's death and succeeded to the governorship on October 11, 1926.

During his term as governor, Simpson opposed a toll bridge across the eastern portion of Lake Pontchartrain which was being built to connect New Orleans and Slidell. Simpson suggested building a toll-free bridge from Chef Menteur, but influential figures in New Orleans were able to get the toll bridge built despite his objections. He later started a ferry service instead; it was free of charge.

The Ku Klux Klan proved to be a problem during Simpson's term of office as well. Legislation was passed to outlaw hoods, masks and robes excepting those worn during Mardi Gras and at masked balls or parties.

A great flood in 1927 forced Simpson to order a "downriver cut" of the levee in order to protect New Orleans. Afterwards, the affected states of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi worked together to secure federal aid for flood prevention. The owners of some properties damaged by the levee cut were compensated by the state.

Simpson became Secretary of the Senate after leaving office and died of a heart seizure in New Orleans on November 17, 1932.

References

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  • Profile of Oramel Simpson from the Louisiana Secretary of State website, archived February 7, 2005.
  • Davis, Edwin Adams (1961). Louisiana: The Pelican State. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press. LCCN 59-9008.
  • "Oramel Hinckley Simpson," A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography, Vol. II (1988), pp. 744–745
  • Robert Sobel and John Raimo, eds., Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978, Vol. 2 (1978)
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Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
1924
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Delos R. Johnson
Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
May 13, 1924–October 11, 1926
Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of Louisiana
October 11, 1926–May 21, 1928
Succeeded by