John Simplot supported his family as a baker, but became an adherent of Napoleon, even an officer in his army according to one account. Following Waterloo the situation for Napoleon's supporters was bleak, with violent reprisals making their further stay in Besancon unwise. So in 1816 or early 1817 John, Susanne, and their two youngest children migrated to the United States, settling in Constantia, Oswego Co, NY. On July 24, 1820 Henry, John and Joseph followed, landing at the Port of NY on the ship Stephania from Havre, Miles Burke, Master. Napoleon apparently died either on the voyage or shortly after their arrival. In Constantia the Simplots farmed and prospered to the extent that between 1824 and 1827 he was able to make three land purchases totaling 173 acres in Oswego Co. By 1830 the family had moved to Parish, a community a few miles north of Constantia. In 1825 there was enacted a law in New York forbidding the passage by inheritance of land owned by aliens who had not filed their formal Declaration of Intention to become a citizen. Perhaps anticipating his death, John Simplot did so on February 2, 1831. He died the following August and is buried in the cemetery at Colosse, near Parish. His tombstone reads "John Simplot, Died Aug1830 [sic], Aged 51 years. Erected by his son, Joseph Simplot". Mercy Simplot and Joseph Torry were appointed Administrators of the intestate estate. The land was lost in a legal battle following Mr Simplot's death, and the family soon headed west.
First to arrive in Dubuque was Henry. After stopping briefly in Chicago and Nauvoo, Illinois, he arrived in Dubuque by 1835, and on May 20, 1835 he purchased a lot on the East Side of Main Street from Mary Good. There he established a mercantile business and was quite successful, later expanding into grain brokerage and meatpacking while continuing to engage in many more land transactions. His wealth grew as did his stature in the community, and he was elected a member of the first Board of Aldermen. Marriage had been to Susan LeClare in Parish, on May 17, 1831. Their children were as follows: 1) Alexander Simplot, b January 5, 1837, m Virginia Knapp on November 11, 1866, d Oct 21, 1914. 2) Charles LeClare Simplot, b April 24, 1838, m 1st Mary Ellen Bonson on March 26, 1867, 2nd Mary Jane Day aft 1892, d December 2, 1900. 3) John F. Simplot, b January 4, 1840, d September 28, 1840. 4) Josephine Simplot, b December 9, 1841, m Robert on Yates July 6, 1870. 5) Joseph Simplot, b Dec 21, 1843, d March 5, 1845. 6) Henry Frederick Simplot, Jr, b March 6, 1846, m Anna C. Wickler on May 8, 1888, d 1904. On Christmas Day of 1846 Henry dropped dead as he was called to eat Christmas Dinner. He was buried in the Catholic Cemetery in Dubuque, later moved to the Linwood Cemetery.

NOTE: info provided by Find A Grave Member TJ Cochran