Mary Ann Simkins

Mary Ann Simkins

• Father: Jesse Lorenzo Simkins b. circa 25 December 1801, d. 30 June 1852
• Mother: Nancy Bloomer b. circa 1803, d. November 1850

• Mary Ann Simkins was born on 29 September 1836 in Chemung County, New York.
• Jesse Lorenzo Simkins and Nancy Bloomer appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Murray, Orleans County, New York. Other members of the household included Mary Ann Simkins, James Nelson Simkins and Silas Simkins. Also in the household was Fidelia Hall (age 20). Silas Simkins (age 72) in Orleans County 1850 may have been Jesse's father.
• She married Sheldon T. Murray, son of William Murray and Susan F. Tompkins, on 4 April 1860 in West Webster, Monroe County, New York, at the home of Mary Ann's sister, Mrs. S. C. Peet.
• Mary Ann Simkins died on 15 April 1903 at age 66 in Niagara Falls, Monroe County, New York, at 529 Erie Avenue at her residence.
• Sheldon T. Murray became a widower at her death.
• The following appeared on 15 April 1903 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mary A. Murray, wife of Sheldon T. Murray, died this morning at 9 o'clock at the family home No. 529 Erie Avenue.
       Deceased was born September 29, 1836, in Chemung County, near Elmira and was married at West Webster, Monroe County, at the home of her sister, Mrs. S. C. Peet, April 4, 1860.
       She has been an invalid for several years but able to be about the house until two weeks ago when she was taken with heart failure and later with pneumonia.
       The deceased leaves a husband, three daughters, a son, and two brothers, the Rev. J. N. Simkins of Niagara Falls, and Silas Simkins of Marion, W. Va.
       The funeral services will be held from the home at 2 o'clock, Friday, April 17th. Burial in the family lot in Oakwood.
• The following appeared on 18 April 1903 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: At 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon the funeral of the late Mary A. Murray, wife of Sheldon T. Murray, was observed from the family home No. 529 Erie Avenue and was largely attended. The Rev. O. C. Poland, pastor of St. Paul's M. E. Church officiated and the interment was made in Oakwood cemetery.
• 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.

• Last Edited: 28 Jul 2013