Helen May Simkins

Helen May Simkins

• Father: James Nelson Simkins b. October 1824, d. 1 May 1904
• Mother: Frances Elizabeth Poyfair b. May 1853, d. 15 June 1948

• Helen May Simkins was born on 20 May 1877 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
• James Nelson Simkins and Frances Elizabeth Poyfair appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 389 Elk Street. Other members of the household included Helen May Simkins, Everett Chambers Simkins and Edward Nelson Simkins. Also in the household was one female servant.
• James Nelson Simkins and Frances Elizabeth Poyfair appeared in the New York state census of 16 February 1892 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Helen May Simkins, Edward Nelson Simkins, Everett Chambers Simkins and Julia Simkins.
• James Nelson Simkins and Frances Elizabeth Poyfair appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 554 Fifth Street. Other members of the household included Helen May Simkins, Everett Chambers Simkins, Edward Nelson Simkins and Julia Simkins.
• The following appeared in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The Rev. and Mrs. J. N. Simkins of No. 564 Fifth Street, announce the engagement of their daughter, Helen May, to George Frederick Nussbaum, the wedding to take place in St. Paul's M. E. church, Wednesday, October 28.
• The following appeared on 27 October 1903 in the Niagara Falls Gazette:
       The wedding of Miss Helen Simkins and Mr. George Frederick Nussbaum will take place tomorrow evening at 7 o'clock in St. Paul's M. E. Church on First Street. The Rev. Orville C. Poland will officiate. Miss Simkins will be attended by her sister, Miss Julia Simkins, who is to be the maid of honor. The maids will be Miss Ethel Robertson of Buffalo, Miss Mary G. Shepard, Miss Miriam T. Barron and Miss Mary S. Brown of this city, Miss Bessie Young and Miss Tompkins of LaSalle.
       Miss Alice B. Trott will preside at the organ and will give a musical programme preceding the ceremony ending with the bridal song from Lohengrin which will be sung by Miss Marie Rose as the wedding party enters.
       There will be a reception after the ceremony at the home of the bride's parents, the Rev. and Mrs. James N. Simkins of No. 554 Fifth Street, invitations to which will be verbal and will include the members of the two families only.
       Miss Simkins has been the guest of honor at several entertainments given by her friends. On Friday evening last the Misses Tompkins and Young of LaSalle, two of her bridesmaids, handsomely entertained the whole wedding party, and today after the rehearsal Miss Robertson and Miss Julia Simkins will entertain for Miss Simkins.
• She married George Frederick Nussbaum, son of Emanuel Gottlieb Nussbaum and Louisa Haeberle, on 28 October 1903 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at St. Paul's M. E. Church.
• George Frederick Nussbaum and Helen May Simkins appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1905 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1371 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Nelson George Nussbaum. Also in the household was clerk Roy Ames (age 29).
• George Frederick Nussbaum and Helen May Simkins appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 1371 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Nelson George Nussbaum and Frances Louise Nussbaum. Also in the household was a female domestic servant.
• George Frederick Nussbaum and Helen May Simkins appeared in the Minnesota state census of 1 April 1915 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 1371 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Frances Louise Nussbaum, Nelson George Nussbaum and George Frederick Nussbaum Jr.
• George Frederick Nussbaum and Helen May Simkins appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 1371 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Nelson George Nussbaum, Frances Louise Nussbaum and George Frederick Nussbaum Jr. Also in the household one boarder.
• The following appeared on 13 August 1923 in the Niagara Falls Gazette:
       Remarkable Achievement in Church History of Niagara Falls. St. Paul's M. E. Church. . . .
       Choir and Organ. . . . The following organists presided up to time of sale: Helen Simkins (Mrs. Geo. Nussbaum). . .
       Later Ministers of St. Paul's. . . . Of the pastors we have known we begin with Rev. J. N. Simkins in 1892, then in the midst of his third term with this charge. We have many delightful memories of him, a man dearly beloved, gentle, kind and true. It was during his ministry that the value of Niagara's power began to be made manifest by the great hydro-electric development that has since so transformed our industrial life. It was then that we came to know and love St. Paul's. The continued helpful presence of Mrs. Simkins still with us and the fine service of their daughter (Mrs. Nussbaum) as our organist for so many years have served to knit us all closer together. . . .
• George Frederick Nussbaum and Helen May Simkins appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 1371 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Frances Louise Nussbaum and George Frederick Nussbaum Jr.
• The following appeared on 26 May 1938 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: [Photo Caption] Mrs. Frances S. Green, of 554 Fifth street, who is inviting her friends to drop in Saturday afternoon from 2 to 6 o'clock to join her in observing her eighty-fifth birthday. Mrs. Green's two daughters, Mrs. George F. Nussbaum, Sr., of this city, and Mrs. Peter Kain, of Philadelphia, will receive with her.
• George Frederick Nussbaum and Helen May Simkins appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 1371 Ontario Avenue.
• George Frederick Nussbaum became a widower at her death.
• Helen May Simkins died on 24 May 1944 at age 67 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at Memorial Hospital.
• She was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
• The following appeared on 25 May 1944 in the Niagara Falls Gazette:
       Mrs. Helen Simkins Nussbaum, wife of George F. Nussbaum, former city councilman, of 1371 Ontario Avenue, died in Memorial Hospital yesterday afternoon after an illness of several months. She was one of the city's most widely known women and had long been active in various community betterment activities.
       Born in Buffalo, Mrs. Nussbaum was a daughter of the late James N. Simkins, Methodist clergyman, who at one time was minister of St. Paul's Methodist church here. She spent most of her life in this city.
       Mrs. Nussbaum was one of the organizers of the Niagara Falls Y.W.C.A. and served as its original vice-president. For many years she was the organist in various churches of the city. She was also an active leader in the Community Chest, American Red Cross, child welfare movements and many other worthwhile undertakings.
       Besides her husband, she is survived by two sons, G. Nelson Nussbaum, with the foreign service of the American Red Cross in Italy, and Lieutenant George F. Nussbaum, Jr., at Camp Lee, Va; one daughter, Mrs. John H. Chapin, of this city; her mother, Mrs. Frances S. Green of this city; two brothers, Everett and Edward Simkins, of this city; a sister, Mrs. Peter H. Kain, in Philadelphia, and seven grandchildren.
       Friends may call at the Cornell and Daggett funeral chapel until noon tomorrow. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family, with the Rev. John A. Redmond officiating. Interment will be made in Oakwood Cemetery.

• Last Edited: 20 Aug 2013