urn:taro:utexas.cah.02372 A Guide to the John S. Simonson Papers, 1850-1860 Original EAD encoding by Lauren Algee according to TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions. March 2011 Finding aid written in English. Descriptive Summary Simonson, John S., 1796-1881 Simonson, John S., Papers 1850-1860 Materials are written in English. 69-66 2 in. Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin Comprising correspondence and journals, the John S. Simonson Papers, 1850-1860, document Simonson’s career as an Army Officer throughout New Mexico and the West. Biographical Note

Born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, John S. Simonson (1796-1881) served with the United States Army during the War of 1812. Honorably discharged in 1814, he moved to Charlestown, Indiana, where he married Elizabeth Watson. After serving in the state Senate from 1828 to 1830, Simonson farmed and manufactured flour. In 1841, he was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives and became its speaker in 1845. The following year, President James K. Polk appointed Simonson captain of the mounted riflemen of the United States Army, a position he held through the Mexican War, including the siege and capture of Vera Cruz. In 1852, Simonson was ordered to Texas, where he served on the frontier and Rio Grande, and commanded an expedition against the Apaches to protect the El Paso road in 1855. Reassigned to New Mexico in 1856, he participated in the 1857 campaign against the Coyatero Apaches and established a camp and military depot near the Mogollon Mountains. In 1859, Simonson commanded an expedition against the Navajo Indians and explored the San Juan River country, Tuni-Cha Mountains, and Canyon de Chelly. He retired from military service in 1861 at the rank of colonel in the 3rd U. S. Cavalry, but continued to work through the next decade as superintendent of the volunteer recruiting service in Indianapolis as well as its mustering and disbursing officer.

Source:

Nowland, John H. B. Sketches of prominent citizens of 1876, with a few of the pioneers of the city and county who have passed away. Indianapolis: Tilford & Carlon, 1877.

Scope and Contents

Comprising correspondence and journals, the John S. Simonson Papers, 1850-1860, document Simonson’s career as an Army Officer throughout New Mexico and the West. The papers include his accounts of military affairs, including travel conditions and events on marches between forts, negotiations with Navahos, campaigns against Apaches, and Mormon activities as well as observations of native plants and Native American artifacts and customs. In addition to Simonson’s military activities, letters to his wife Elizabeth (1852-1858) concern family and social affairs.

 Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

 Index Terms Subjects (Persons) Simonson, John S., 1796-1881 -- Archives Simonson, Elizabeth E. Subjects (Organizations) United States. Army. Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Subjects Apache Indians -- Wars -- 19th century. Fortification -- West (U.S.) -- History -- 19th century. Mormons -- West (U.S.) -- History -- 19th century. Navajo Indians -- Government relations -- 19th century Places Fort Defiance (Ariz.) -- History. New Mexico -- History, Military -- 19th century. Preferred Citation

John S. Simonson Papers, 1850-1860, , Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

 Processing Information

Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s “History Revealed: Bringing Collections to Light project,” 2009-2011.

 Detailed Description of the Papers Inventory: 3J434 Journals of J. S. Simonson, 1850-1860 3J434 Letters of J. S. Simonson to Mrs. E. E. Simonson, 1852-1858