Mary Simkins Murray

b. December 1871, d. 18 January 1957
  • Mary Simkins Murray was born in December 1871 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 9 May 1910 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: One of Niagara's pioneer residents, Sheldon T. Murray, died early this morning at his home, No. 522 Cedar avenue, after an illness covering a period of about two weeks. Mr. Murray had been in poor health for several months, but was not taken to his bed until two weeks ago. Death was due to a general breaking down of the system due to old age. Had he lived until June 14th, he would have been 76 years old.
         The son of William Murray and Susan F. Tompkins, Sheldon T. Murray was born in the old village of Niagara Falls June 14, 1834. He received his education in the schools of the village and his first business venture was in a grocery store, which he opened on Falls street about on the present location of Lynch's shoe store.
         Later he conducted the livery business connected with the International hotel. This venture was very successful, and some years later he formed a partnership with Rowland F. Hill and manufactured Wood pulp, the mill being along the upper rapids just outside the gates of the old park. The firm name was Hill & Murray, and the business was continued until the state took over the reservation in 1885.
         Following this Mr. Murray was connected with the United States Customs service in this city and later was superintendent of the Niagara Falls Water Works company, but in recent years followed no business. Mr. Murray was a man who loved the out-of-door life, a great sportsman and hunter, to which he attributed his vigorous health. ':CR:]      On April 4, 1860, Mr. Murray married Miss Mary Simpkins, the ceremony being performed at Webster, Monroe county, this state. Mrs. Murray died in 1903. Three children survive, the Misses Susan T. and Mary S. Murray, and one son, Edwin J. Murray.
         Mr. Murray was a member for many years of Niagara Frontier lodge, No. 132, F. and A. M. The funeral will be held from the family home in Cedar avenue on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The Reverend Philip W. Mosher of Saint Peter's church will officiate.
  • Mary Simkins Murray died on 18 January 1957 at age 85 in Gasport, Niagara County, New York, at the Casey Nursing Home.
  • She was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 19 January 1957 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Miss Mary Simkins Murray, 85, a member of a prominent old family of this city, died at the Casey Nursing Home in Gasport yesterday (Jan. 18, 1957) after an illness of two years.
         Miss Murray, a native of Niagara Falls, formerly lived at 8110 Buffalo Ave. She was the sister of the late Capt. Edwin Murray, a member of a battalion from this city which took part in fighting overseas in World War I, and a asister of the late Miss Susan Murray, who was principal of Maple Avenue School.
         She was a librarian at the Niagara Falls Public Library for many years.
         Surviving are two cousins, Mrs. Peter H. Kain, Philadelphia, and Edward Simkins, this city.
         Funeral services will be held at the Cornell and Daggett Funeral Home Monday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Canon Richard B. Townsend officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
  • Last Edited: 24 Jul 2013