State Web Site

ORAMEL H. SIMPSON was born in Washington, Louisiana on March 20, 1870. His education was attained at Centenary College, where he graduated in 1890, and at Tulane University, where he earned a law degree in 1893. Simpson entered public service in 1899 with an appointment as warrant clerk of the U.S. Mint. He also served as assistant secretary of the Louisiana State Senate from 1900 to 1908, was secretary of the Louisiana Senate from 1908 to 1924, and served as the lieutenant governor of Louisiana from 1924 to 1926. On October 11, 1926, Governor Henry Fuqua passed away, and Simpson, who was lieutenant governor at the time, assumed the duties of the governorship. During his tenure, the Louisiana Highway Commission was restructured, and a new free bridge was authorized, as was a free ferry service. Also, severe flooding in the Mississippi valley caused Simpson to direct a cut in the downriver levee. This resulted in the devastation of over 100,000 acres of land located in the downriver area; however, legislation was sanctioned compensating the flood victims. After completing his term, Simpson left office on May 21, 1928. He later served on the Louisiana tax commission as a special agent, and was the legal representative for the inheritance tax collector. Governor Oramel H. Simpson passed away in New Orleans on November 17, 1932.

Sources:

Dawson III, Joseph G. The Louisiana Governors: From Iberville to Edwards. Baton Rouge: Lousiana State University Press, 1990.

Louisiana Secretary of State: The Governors of Louisiana

The Political Graveyard

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.