Emma Mims

Emma Mims

• Father: Livingston Mims b. circa 1829, d. 5 March 1906
• Mother: Emma E. Hicks b. circa 1840, d. circa 1864

• Emma Mims was born circa 1864 in Mississippi.
• Livingston Mims and Susan J. Harper appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, at 433 Peachtree Street. Other members of the household included Emma Mims. Also in the household was niece Willie Pope, age 16, and three domestic servants and a gardener.
• She married Joseph Thompson circa 1884.
• Joseph Thompson and Emma Mims appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Peachtree Precinct, Fulton County, Georgia. Other members of the household included Livingston Mims Thompson. Also in the household were five domestic servants.
• The following appeared on 10 March 1906 in The Macon Daily Telegraph:
       (Atlanta, Ga., March 9) The will of the late Major Livingston Mims has been read by the members of his family. His estate is valued at something over $100,000, and is in his own handwriting. The bulk of the estate is left to his wife, Mrs. Sue Harper Mims, and after her death three-fourths of the same is to go to his daughter Mrs. Joseph Thompson.
       The will provides that Mrs. Joseph Thompson is to receive $2,000 from the estate, and Livingston Mims Thompson $1,000. Major Mims' watch is left to his grandson, and his seal ring to his son-in-law, Joseph Thompson. Outside of the above legacies from the estate proper, the entire balance is to go to Mrs. Mims.
       The life insurance, of which there is said to be a considerable amount, is willed to Mrs. Joseph Thompson, with the exception of $2,000, which is to be paid at once to Mrs. Mims.
• Emma Mims died on 29 July 1908 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia.
• Her husband Joseph Thompson became a widower at her death.
• She was interred at Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia.
• The following appeared on 30 July 1908 in The Columbus Enquirer-Sun:
       (Atlanta, July 29) Mrs. Joseph Thompson, one of the best known women in Georgia, died suddenly early this morning at 815 Peachtrtee street. Mrs. Thompson was the daughter of Major Livingston Mims. She had been a leader in southern society and both in the east and in Europe had a wide circle of friends.
       At her home in Brookwood she had entertained, at different times, two presidents, Cleveland and McKinley, Vice President Stevenson, Mrs. Potter Palmer, and others equally well known.
       Heart failure is given as the cause of Mrs. Thompson's death. She was found dead in bed this morning shortly before 8 o'clock by her husband.
       When Mr. Thompson arose this morning, Mrs. Thompson seemed to be sleeping. Because of her weakened condition, careful efforts were made not to awaken her. After finishing breakfast, surprised that his wife continued asleep, Mr. Thompson entered her bedroom and found her dead.
       Mrs. Thompson's health began to fail seven or eight years ago. Nervousness, from which she had since suffered, attacked her. For the past year her condition has been especially serious. Three months ago she was taken to the Johns Hopkins Institute, in Baltimore. At the end of six weeks she returned much improved. A short while ago, however, she again went to the Insitute, but returned Saturday night.
       . A second course of treatment, like the first, brought a material improvement in her condition. In fact, she seemed much better than she had been for quite a while. There was no change for the worse in her condition Tuesday, and it was without warning that her death came.
       Funeral services will in all probability be held Thursday afternoon at 815 Peachtree street. The interment will be at Westview cemetery.
       Mrs. Thompson was the daughter of Major Livingston Mims, but the step-daughter of Mrs. Mrs. Mims. Her mother died in her infancy. Joseph Thompson, husband of Mrs. Thompson, is well known in business and social circles. He was recently a candidate for the office of county treasurer.
       Mrs. Thompson was a social leader and a woman of rare executive ability. It was she who established and was president of the woman's department of the Atlanta exposition in 1895. The fashion in chich this department was established and conducted made Mrs. Thompson known throughout the country.
       Her brilliancy and wit made her a leader in society. She has entertained many of the most distinguished visitors to Atlanta.
       When President Gover Cleveland and his wife attended the Atlanta exposition in 1895 they were entertained by Mrs. Thompson. She also entertained president and Mrs. William McKinley on the occasion of their visit here. Among her guest during the exposition was Mrs. Potter Palmer.
       Mrs. Thompson is known in many circles chiefly for her connection with the exposition of 1895. The woman's department, which she established, was practically an innovation, but through her efforts it was made one of the most interesting features of the exposition.
       As president of the woman's department she was the life of every branch of it -- educational, literary, the purely feminine. Especially did she demonstrate her unusual executive ability.
       Mrs. Thompson was known for her brilliancy and wit and social leadership. Throughout the south her name is familiar and she was almost as equally well known in the east, especially in New York. In Europe she had many friends.
       Year before last Mrs. Thompson made a tour of the continent with the party of James Gordon Bennett, the well known resident of New York.
       Mrs. Thompson was virtually the founder of Brookwood, now the most fashionable suburb of Atlanta. She built the first country home there and her example was speedily followed. Soon the suburb began to grow and through compliment to Mrs. Thompson it was named Brookwood, after her own home. It was at her Brookwood home that Mrs. Thompson entertained so lavishly.
       Mrs. Thompson was born in Mississippi. Her maiden name was Miss Emma Mims. While an infant her mother died. Her father, Major Livingston Mims, moved to Atlanta while she was still but a child and her residence had since been here.
       Mrs. Thompson was 44 years of age. In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son, Livingston Mims Thompson, age 22 years, who has just accepted an important position in New York; and a grandchild, Mary Thompson, aged 2 years.

• Last Edited: 12 Sep 2010