(January 2, 1822 — June 25, 1898) William Emmett Simms, a Representative from Kentucky; born near Cynthiana, Harrison County, Ky., January 2, 1822; attended the public schools, and was graduated from the law department of Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky., in 1846; was admitted to the bar in 1846 and commenced practice in Paris, Bourbon County, Ky.; served as captain throughout the Mexican War; member of the State house of representatives 1849-1851; was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1859-March 3, 1861); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1860 to the Thirty-seventh Congress; on October 21, 1861, was appointed to the temporary rank of colonel in the Confederate Army; appointed lieutenant colonel in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States, December 24, 1861, and was assigned to the First Battalion, Kentucky Cavalry; resigned February 17, 1862, having been chosen Senator from Kentucky to the Confederate States Congress; member of the Senate of the First and Second Confederate Congresses and also served in President Davis' Cabinet; engaged in agricultural pursuits; died on his estate, ``Mount Airy,'' near Paris, Bourbon County, Ky., June 25, 1898; interment in Paris Cemetery. [Source: “Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774 - Present,” available at https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/S000421]