THE MARY THARNISH
AND
PETER SIMONS FAMILY
135
Mary (Tharnish) Simons and Peter Simons
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells
136
THE MARY THARNISH AND PETER SIMONS FAMILY
Mary THARNISH
Born:
1855, (baptized: 22 Feb 1856), Bennington, Wyoming Co., NY
Died:
26 Jul 1936, South Wales, Erie Co., NY
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
& Spouse: Peter SIMONS
Born:
Jul 1852, (baptized: 22 Aug 1852), Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
Died:
02 Jun 1933, Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
Married:
16 Jan 1877, St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
CHILDREN
1F: Eva Catherine SIMONS
Born:
04 Jan 1878, Bennington, Wyoming Co, NY
Died:
27 Apr 1955, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
& Spouse: Edward Francis KIRSCH
Born:
23 Jan 1877a, Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
Died:
1957, Strykersville, Wyoming Co/. NY
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
Married:
20 Feb 1900, St. Mary Catholic Church, Strykersville, NY
2M: Albert Joseph SIMONS
Born:
08 Jan 1880, Sheldon, Wyoming Co, NY
Died:
28 Mar 1937, Granville Co., North Carolina
Buried: St. Cecilia Catholic Cemetery (South), Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
& Spouse: Frances Catherine ARMBRUST (baptized Catherine Frances)
Born:
13 Oct 1879, Sheldon, Wyoming Co. NY
Died:
10 Mar 1940, New York
Buried: St Cecilia Catholic Cemetery (South), Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
Married:
26 Sep 1905, St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
3M: Robert Martin SIMONS
Born:
16 Jan 1882, Wyoming Co. NY
Died:
30 Dec 1955, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA
Buried: Valhalla Memorial Park, North Hollywood, Los Angeles Co., CA
4 M: John Nicholas SIMONS
Born:
16 Jun 1884, SouthWales, Erie Co., NY
Died:
13 Jun 1956, Yorkshire, Erie Co., NY
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
& Spouse: Ida Natalia “Eda” George
Born:
03 Aug 1884, Wales, Erie County, NY
Died:
31 May 1967
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
Married:
01 Feb 1910, St Mary Catholic Church, Strykersville, NY
Continued
137
5M: George John Michael SIMONS
Born:
15 Jan 1887, South Wales, Erie Co., NY
Died:
19 Jan 1898, Erie Co., New York
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
6M: Rolland Francis SIMONS (baptized Francis Rolland)
Born:
10 Nov 1888, South Wales, Erie Co., NY
Died:
1942 (30 Sep 1943)b
Buried: Ellicottville, Cattaraugus Co., NY
& Spouse: Mabel Catherine KRAUSE
Born:
21 Feb 1891, New York
Died:
30 Sep 1958
Buried: Ellicottville, Cattaraugus Co., NY
Married:
7F: Ida Elizabeth SIMONS
Born:
28 Jul 1890, South Wales, Erie Co., NY
Died:
25 May 1902
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
8M: Henry John SIMONS
Born:
25 Mar 1893, SouthWales, Erie Co., NY
Died:
28 Aug 1971, Wales, Erie Co., NY
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery, East Aurora, Erie Co., NY
& Spouse: Laura Stephens HOLMES
Born:
06 Apr 1897, New York
Died:
11 Feb 1995, Buffalo, Erie Co., NY
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery, East Aurora, Erie Co., NY
Married:
11 Sep 1918, Wales, Erie Co., NY
9F: Odelia “Della” Florence SIMONS
Born:
23 Sep 1895, South Wales, Erie Co., NY
Died:
06 Feb 1972, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., Florida
Buried:
& Spouse: Arthur LANGE
Born:
03 May 1893, Ebenezer, Erie Co., NY
Died:
16 May 1979, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., Florida
Buried:
Married:
30 May 1915
a
b
Draft Registration Application card states date of birth as 23 Jan 1877.
Descendants have reported two different dates.
On 16 January 1877, Mary married Peter Simons the son of Stephen and Susan
Simons, at Sheldon’s St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in Wyoming County, New
York. Their marriage record lists Susan’s maiden name as Susan Manus1
Peter’s granddaughter Eleanor (Kirsch) Logel’s family records list Peter’s mother as Susan Arndt. She
reported that Peter’s father was orphaned as a youngster and taken in by the Arndt family who had eleven
daughters. Stephen married the youngest daughter Susan.
1
138
The 1877 Marriage Record of Peter Simons and Mary Tharnish
Courtesy of Warren Zahler
In 1870 Peter was living and working on the farm owned by his sister and her husband
John S. Becke, which was adjacent to the John J. and Catherine Tharnish farm in
Bennington, Wyoming County, New York.
Peter and Mary first settled in Bennington in Wyoming County, New York, where Peter
was engaged in farming.
According to the 1880 Federal Census Mary’s widowed
mother Catherine was living with them. By 1900 Peter and Mary had established a
dairy farm at Centerline Road in South Wales, Erie County, New York. The family is
enumerated in the 1900 Federal Census.
1900 United States Federal Census2
Household Members: Name and Age
Peter Simons, 47
Mary Simons, 44
Albert J Simons, 20
Robert M Simons, 18
John N Simons, 15
Rolland F Simons, 11
Ida E Simons, 8
Henry J Simons, 7
Della F Simons, 4
Their daughter Eva was no longer living at home as she had just married Edward
Francis Kirsch and their son George had passed away in 1898 at the age of eleven.
Their daughter Ida passed away two years later in 1902.
2
From: ancestry.com
139
According to the 1910 Federal Census for Aurora, Erie County, New York, their children
Robert, Della, Henry and Rolland were still living at home. In 1920 Peter and Mary
were living with the son Henry and his wife Laura Holmes in Wales. By 1930 Peter and
Mary had returned to Wyoming County and were living in a home they owned in
Sheldon on Strykersville Road. Peter passed away in 1933 and Mary in 1936. Both are
buried in the Strykersville St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Wyoming County, New York.
Mary (Tharnish) and Peter Simons 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration, 1927
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells With Identifications By Eleanor (Kirsch) Logel
Back Row Standing: Earl L. Kirsch (son of Edward & Eva Kirsch), Edward F. Kirsch (husband of Eva
Simons Kirsch), Eleanor Kirsch Logel, (oldest child of Edward & Eva), Robert M. Simons, John N.
Simons, Eva Simons Kirsch (oldest daughter of Peter & Mary), Clarence Logel (husband of Eleanor
Kirsch), Della Simons Lange (youngest daughter of Peter & Mary), Arthur J. Lange (husband of Della),
Mabel Krause Simons (wife of Rolland Simons), Rolland Frank Simons, Charles Landphair (husband of
Evalyn Kirsch)
Middle Row Seated: Eda George Simons (wife of John), Henry J. Simons (youngest son of Peter &
Mary), Laura Holmes, (standing behind Grace Simons, daughter of Rolland & Mabel),
Peter Simons, Bernice Simons, (daughter of Henry Simons), Mary Simons, Marion Lange (daughter of
Della & Art Lange), Evalyn Landphair (2nd daughter of Ed & Eva Kirsch holding Bruce Landphair who
died at age 3 yrs. of appendicitis), Ellsworth Kirsch (youngest son of Ed & Eva Kirsch
Front Row: Children seated: Betty Simons (daughter of Henry & Laura Simons), Frank Simons (son of
Mabel & Rolland)
140
Mary (Tharnish) and Peter Simons
St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., New York
Courtesy of Marcella (Tharnish) Peters
Daughter Eva C. Simons (1878 – 1955) and Spouse Edward Francis Kirsch (1876 – 1957)
On 20 February 1900 Eva Catherine married Edward Francis Kirsch, the son of John
Kirsch and Catherine Dominesey, at Sheldon’s St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in
Wyoming County, New York. The newly married couple settled on a farm in Wales
Township, Erie County New York. Their family is enumerated in the 1910 Federal
Census on a farm that the family owned in Wales.
Transcribed 1910 United States Federal Census 3
Household Members: Name and Age
Edward F Kirsch, 33
Eva Kirsch, 32
Eleanor M Kirsch, 8
Evalyn K Kirsch, 6
Earl Kirsch, 4
Elsworth Kirsch, 2
3
From ancestry.com
141
In 1930 their son Ellsworth was their only child living at home on the family farm. He
was working for the State Road Department. Eva passed away in 1955 and Edward in
1957. Both are buried in the Strykersville St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Wyoming
County, New York.
Eva (Simons) Kirsch and Edward Francis Kirsch, 1927
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells
Eva (Simons) Kirsch and Edward Francis Kirsch, 1950
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
142
Daughter Eleanor Mary KIRSCH
Born:
15 Jul 1901, Arcade Wyoming Co., NY
Died:
17 Dec 1997, Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
& Spouse: Clarence N. LOGEL
Born:
22 Mar 1899, New York
Died:
20 Feb 1988
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
Married:
10 Apr 1923, St. Mary Catholic Church, Wyoming Co., NY
Daughter Evalyn Katherine KIRSCH
Born:
04 Sep 1903, Wyoming Co. NY
Died:
May 1979, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
Buried: Java Village Cemetery, Java Village, Wyoming Co., NY
& Spouse: Charles LANDPHAIR
Born:
22 Apr 1904, Rush Township, Jo Daviess Co., IL
Died:
10 Mar 1973, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
Buried: Java Village Cemetery, Java Village, Wyoming Co., NY
Married:
06 Jun 1925
Son Earl Lawrence KIRSCH
Born:
23 Jun 1905, Wales, Erie Co., NY
Died:
05 Mar 1996, Buffalo, Erie Co., NY
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
& Spouse: Dorothy MERRITT
Born:
04 Nov 1909, Minnesota
Died:
18 Dec 1995, East Aurora, Erie Co., NY
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
Married:
10 Feb 1934, Springville, Erie Co. NY
Son Ellsworth Simon KIRSCH
Born:
06 Jul 1907, Erie Co., New York
Died:
11 Sep 1995, Wyoming Co. New York
Buried: Java Village Cemetery, Java Village, Wyoming Co., NY
& Spouse: Beulah WINCH
Born:
05 Jun 1911, Java, Wyoming Co., NY
Died:
14 Oct 1998, Buffalo, Erie Co., NY
Buried: Java Village Cemetery, Java Village, Wyoming Co., NY
Married:
18 Aug 1931, East Aurora, Erie Co., NY
Eva and Edward’s Children
Earl, Eleanor, Evalyn and Ellsworth
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
143
Eleanor grew up on the family farm on East Creek Road in Strykersville. She attended
school in a one-room schoolhouse and drove her younger siblings to class by horse and
buggy. After graduating from St. Mary’s Academy, she endeavored to become a
seamstress and dressmaker. This became her hobby in later years.
In 1923 Eleanor married Clarence Logel, the son of John Logel and Frances Reding, at
the St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Strykersville, Wyoming County, New York.
According to Clarence’s 1918 Draft Registration Card, he was working as a farm laborer
on the Joseph Chester farm in Wales, Erie County, New York. Edward and Eleanor
bought a farm in Sheldon in 1923 and that first year a fire destroyed the barn and killed
much of the livestock. They rebuilt and farmed there for many years while raising their
two children, David and Karen.
Clarence farmed his entire life and was Sheldon's Town Supervisor for a number of
years. Eleanor served on the Wyoming County Board of Elections for many years and
in her spare time she enjoyed gardening and playing cards. Clarence passed away in
1988 and Eleanor in 1997. Both are buried in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in
Strykersville, Wyoming County, New York.
Eleanor (Kirsch) and Clarence Logel, 1927
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells
Eleanor (Kirsch) and Clarence Logel, 1950
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
144
Eleanor and Clarence’s Children, David and Karen Logel, 1950
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
Daughter Evalyn Katherine married Illinois-born Charles Landphair, the son of Harry
Landphair and Alberta Rote in 1926. Charles came to New York from Illinois with his
parents and siblings Richard Landphair, and Larita Landphair (Kanner) a few years prior
to 1920. According to the 1920 census Charles was living and working as a hired hand
on the Joseph Herman farm in Java, Wyoming County. His parents also owned a farm
in Java.
Evalyn and Charles settled first in Java and shortly after moved to Strykersville,
Wyoming County, New York. Evalyn graduated from St. Mary’s High School and then
attended Springville-Griffith Institute to receive training to become a schoolteacher. She
taught grade school for a short time before giving birth to her first son, Bruce, who later
died of a ruptured appendix at the age of 3½.
He is buried in the Java Village
Cemetery.
Charles worked with his father in farming in his early years, and shortly after marrying
Evalyn, he purchased a long-haul truck and began his own trucking business,
“Landphair Transportation”. A few years later, he got out of long-haul trucking and went
into the milk hauling business, owning 3 milk trucks and hauling for farmers in the
surrounding Strykersville/Java area to Buffalo. While operating the milk hauling
business, he also was a salesman/distributor for Surge Milk products selling equipment
and parts for Surge milking machines. He ran these businesses very successfully with
his wife, Evalyn until his retirement. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, taking
many hunting trips ranging all the way from Mexico to Canada. Evalyn loved being a
homemaker and raising their second son Lee. Their daughter Joanne died one day
after birth and is also buried in the Java Village Cemetery. Clarence passed away in
1973 and Evalyn in 1979 and botha are buried in the Java Village cemetery,
Their second son, Lee C. Landphair, went on to attend college at RPI in Troy, NY and
graduated from MIT in Boston, MA with a Master’s Degree in aerodynamic engineering.
He worked for Bell Aircraft, and was one of the engineers involved in the development
of the Bell X-14 VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft – the first aircraft
developed in the U.S. that could take-off vertically and transition into horizontal flight in
mid-air. Astronaut Neil Armstrong flew it several times in preparation for flying the Lunar
Module on the moon. It is considered one of the pre-cursors of and used in the study of
145
the development of the Hawker Harrier jet aircraft. Lee married Patricia A. O’Dell in
1953 and they had six children. Patricia passed away in 2009 and Lee resides in New
York.
Evalyn Katherine (Kirsch) and Charles R. Landphair - 1925
Courtesy of Libby (Landphair) Hubbard
Evalyn (Kirsch) Landphair holding son Bruce 1927
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells
146
Charles’ Long-haul Trucks – 1932
Courtesy of Libby (Landphair) Hubbard
Charles Landphair’s First Milk Truck
Courtesy of Libby (Landphair) Hubbard
147
Left to Right: Evalyn (Kirsch) Landphair,
Patricia (Odell) Landphair, Charles Landphair,
Lee Landphair And Larry Landphair (Patricia
and Lee’s oldest son and brother of Libby
(Landphair) Hubbard
Courtesy of Libby (Landphair) Hubbard
Son Earl Lawrence married Dorothy Merritt, the daughter of Loren and Orvalyn Merritt,
1934 at Springville, Erie County, New York. Dorothy was born in Minnesota but was
raised in the Arcade area of Wyoming County, New York. In 1928 she attended what
was then known as the Genesee Normal School and was trained as a teacher. She
taught briefly in a one-room school in Arcade. Earl worked for more than fifty years as a
general contactor in the East Aurora, Erie County, New York area. He began his career
with his uncle Arthur Lange and later went into partnership with Howard Lange to form
Lange and Kirsch General Contactors.
Earl Lawrence Kirsch, 1927
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells
Earl and Dorothy (Merritt) Kirsch, 1934
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
Earl and Dorothy raised two daughters, Kareen and Carole. Dorothy passed away in
1995 and Earl in 1996. Both are buried in the Strykersville St. Mary Catholic Cemetery
in Wyoming County, New York.
148
Earl and Dorothy (Merritt) Kirsch, 1950
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
Earl and Dorothy’s Children, Kareen and Carole, 1950
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
Son Ellsworth Simon married Beulah Winch, the daughter of Frank Winch and Cora
Mae Whaley in 1931 in East Aurora, Erie County, New York. In 1930 Ellsworth was
living at home with his parents in Wales, Erie County, New York, and was working for
the State Road Department. Ellsworth and Beulah bought a dairy farm in Wales and
operated it until 1956 when they sold it to their son Dean. After leaving the farm they
moved to Sheldon and built houses in a subdivision in Strykersville. During World War
II, Beulah was an airplane spotter. Ellsworth and Beulah spent many years at Black
Lake in the Adirondacks in Saint Lawrence County, New York, where they enjoyed
fishing and relaxing. They raised a family of two daughters, Elaine and Yvonne and
three sons, Terrence, Dean and Martin.
Ellsworth passed away in 1995 and Beulah in 1998. Both are buried in the Java Village
Cemetery in Wyoming County, New York. Their son Martin preceded his mother in
death and son Terrance was involved in a fatal ATV accident in 2002.
149
Ellsworth Kirsch, 1927
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells
Ellsworth and Earl Kirsch
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
Beulah (Winch) and Ellsworth Kirsch, 1950
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
150
Beulah and Ellsworth’s Children: Elaine, Dean, Terry and Yvonne, 1950
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
Edward and Eva Kirsch’s 50th Wedding Anniversary, 1950
Courtesy of Carole (Kirsch) Leffler
Back row: Beulah Kirsch, Ellsworth Kirsch, Clarence Logel, Lee Landphair, Dorothy Kirsch, Charles Landphair,
Earl Kirsch, David Logel
Middle row: Evalyn Landphair, Eva Kirsch, Yvonne Kirsch, Edward Kirsch, Eleanor Logel, Elaine Kirsch
Front row: Karen Logel, Kareen Kirsch, Carole Kirsch, Dean Kirsch,Terry Kirsch
151
Son Albert Joseph Simons (1880-1937) and Spouse Frances C. Armbrust (1879 – 1940)
Albert Joseph and Frances Catherine Armbrust, the daughter of Michael Armbrust and
Frances George, were united in marriage in 1905 at the St. Cecilia Roman Catholic
Church in Sheldon, Wyoming County, New York. Prior to his marriage Albert was living
at home assisting his father Peter with farming on the family farm. About 1907 Albert
and Catherine Frances moved to Virginia where their son Walter was born and by 1910
they had moved to Granville County, North Carolina, where their son Francis was born.
Albert was a lumberman and he owned and operated a sawmill and a farm growing
tobacco. According to the North Carolina Death records, Albert died in 1937 in
Granville County. Catherine returned to Western New York after Albert’s death and she
passed away in 1940. They are both buried in the Sheldon St. Cecilia Catholic Church
South Cemetery in Wyoming County. New York.
Albert Joseph and Frances Catherine (Armbrust) Simons, 1905
Courtesy of Joanne (Simons) LaFay
Frances Catherine (Armbrust) Simons
Courtesy of Joanne (Simons) LaFay
152
Albert and Frances (Armbrust) Simons, about 1927
Courtesy of Joanne (Simons) LaFay
Son Walter Ambrose SIMONS
Born:
18 Aug 1907, Huguenot. Powhatan Co., Virginia
Died:
19 Sep 1969, East Aurora, Erie Co., NY
Buried: St. Cecilia Catholic Cemetery, Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
& Spouse: Genevieve Elizabeth CALTEAUX
Born:
27 Sep 1906, Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
Died:
18 Jan 2000, Buffalo, Erie Co., NY
Buried: St. Cecilia Catholic Cemetery, Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
Married:
29 Jan 1938, Immaculate Conception Church, East Aurora, Erie Co., NY
Son Francis Albert SIMONS
Born:
08 Jul 1912, Creedmoor, Granville Co., NC
Died:
29 Apr 1978, Warsaw, Wyoming Co., NY
Buried: St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
& Spouse: Agnes BEAVER
Born:
19 Jan 1918, Bennington, Wyoming Co., NY
Died:
28 Dec 1985, Strykersville, Wyoming Co., NY
Buried: St Mary Roman Catholic Cemetery, Strykersville, NY
Married:
22 Oct 1937, St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Sheldon, Wyoming Co., NY
153
Walter and Francis Simons
Courtesy of Joanne (Simons) LaFay
Son Walter enjoyed handcrafting furniture made from black walnut lumber he obtained
from his father’s sawmill in North Carolina. In 1938 he married Genevieve Elizabeth
Calteaux, the daughter of Frank M. Calteux and Marie Magdalene Barvian, in East
Aurora, Erie County, New York. They raised a family of two daughters, Joanne and
Regina and two sons, Norman and Girard.
Walter was an electrician by trade. Genevieve was a homemaker and former Camp
Fire Girls and Cub Scout leader and a member of the Immaculate Conception HomeSchool Association. She enjoyed sewing and knitting. Walter died in 1969 and
Genevieve in 2000. They are both buried in the St. Cecilia Catholic Church Cemetery in
Sheldon, Wyoming County, New York.
Walter Simons
Courtesy of Joanne (Simons) LaFay
154
Walter Simons and Genevieve Calteaux Wedding, 1938
Standing: Unknown, Charlotte Barvian Ziegler, Victorine & Bernard Calteaux, Agnes Beaver Simons,
Frances Armbrust Simons, Frank & Paul Calteaux, Marie Barvian Calteaux, Adaline Dominesey Barvian,
Catherine Reisdorf Calteaux, Rosella Metzger (daughter of Sylvester Metzger & Mary Armbrust
Metzger), Beatrice Barvian Mullen; Seated: Francis Simons, Walter Simons, Genevieve Calteaux
Simons, Rita Calteaux
Courtesy of Joanne (Simons) LaFay
In 1937 son Francis married Agnes Beaver, the daughter of Nicholas Beaver and
Veronica Ziegler, at Sheldon’s St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in Wyoming County,
New York. Francis and Agnes raised a family of seven children, Albert, William,
Donald, Mary Ellen, Richard, Dean and Laurel. Son Albert passed away in 2007 and
Richard in 2004.
Sons Walter and Francis owned an electrical and plumbing business together. After a
few years each went on his own. Francis was engaged in the plumbing and heating
business and Walter in electrical. Four of Francis’ sons joined him in his business and it
is still in operation today.
Francis passed away in 1978 and Agnes in 1985. Both are buried in the St. Mary
Catholic Cemetery in Strykersville, Wyoming County, New York.
155
Raymond Metzger (a son of Sylvester and Mary), Francis Simons, Frances (Armbrust) Simons and
Walter Simons
Courtesy of Joanne (Simons) LaFay
Son Robert Martin Simons (1882-1955)
Robert never married. When he registered with the World War I Draft Board at age 36
he listed his occupation as a farmer and his employer as his brother Henry Simons.
Robert later moved to Southern California and was a caretaker for a well to do family in
California. His 1955 Death Certificate states that he lived in Los Angeles County for 20
years. He never married and passed away in 1955 in Los Angels County, California and
is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California.
Author’s Note: For those that are interested in Hollywood celebrities, there are a
number of celebrities that are also buried in the Valhalla Memorial Park. These include
Oliver Hardy of the famous comedy team “Laurel & Hardy”, Bea Benaderet who played
the mother on TV's "Petticoat Junction", Cousin Pearl on "The Beverly Hillbillies," and
156
did the voice of Betty Rubble on "The Flintstones", Aneta Corsaut who played Miss
Crump on "The Andy Griffith Show", Gorgeous George" Wagner who was the
flamboyant pro-wrestler, Cliff ("Ukulele Ike") Edwards who was the voice of "Jiminy
Cricket." in Walt Disney's movie "Pinocchio", Charles Criswell King who was the
famous, white-haired psychic on the early TV show "Criswell Predicts" and
approximately 180 other notable individuals.
Son John Nicholas Simons (1884-1956) and Spouse Eda N. George (1884 – 1967)
In 1910 John Nicholas married Ida Natalia “Eda” George, the daughter of John Balsar
and Mary George, at the St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Strykersville, Wyoming
County, New York. The couple settled on a farm in Wales, Erie County, New York,
where John was operating a dairy farm. John’s seventeen-year-old brother Henry was
living in the household. By 1930 John and Eda had moved to a farm on the Arcade
Road in Java Township in Wyoming County, New York. John passed away in 1956 and
is buried in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Strykersville in Wyoming County, New
York. According to his obituary he had been a successful farmer in Curriers, Wyoming
County, and later was employed by the Borden Company plant in Arcade. He retired in
1951 and passed away suddenly five years later at his home in Yorkshire, Cattaraugus
County, New York.
Eda passed away in 1967 and is also buried in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in
Strykersville in Wyoming County, New York.
John Nicholas Simons and Eda (George) Simons, 1927
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells
Son Rolland Francis Simons (1888-1942) and Spouse Mabel C. Krause (1891 – 1958)
Rolland Francis married Mabel Catherine Krause, the daughter of Louis and Bridget
Krause, sometime before 1918. In 1920 Francis and Mabel and their infant daughter
Grace were living with Mabel’s parents on a farm in Aurora Township in Erie County,
New York. In 1930 their daughter Grace was living with her grandparents Louis and
Bridget Krause. The author was unable to determine the whereabouts of her parents or
her brother Frank in 1930.
157
Mabel (Krause) Simons, Rolland Simons, Daughter Grace, and Son Frank1927
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells
Daughter Grace SIMONS
Born:
28 May 1918, New York
Died:
20 Apr 2007, Last residence: Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ
Buried: Scottsdale, Maricopa Co., AZ
& Spouse: William Waldo
Born:
26 May 1913, Massachusetts
Died:
04 Oct 1984, El Cajon, San Diego Co., CA
Buried: Cremated and ashes scattered in San Diego, CA
Married:
03 Dec 1938, Ellicottville, Cattaraugus Co., NY
& Other Spouse: Royal McLouth
Born:
about 1902, New York
Died:
about 1953 or 1954
Buried: Little Valley, Cattaraugus County, NY
Married:
about 1953, Olean, Cattaraugus Co., NY
Son Frank SIMONS (still living)
& Spouse: Lois Lenora Holts
Born:
11 Sep 1918, New York
Died:
10 May 1994, Olean, Cattaraugus Co., NY
Buried:
undetermined
Married:
25 May 1951, Memphis, TN
Daughter Grace first married William M. Waldo, the son of Fred and Helen Waldo, in
1938. They had two children, Judith and William.
Grace second married Royal
McLouth, the son of Charles and Fannie McLouth, sometime about 1953. Royal died
approximately six months after his marriage to Grace. She passed away in 2007 in
Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona.
Son Frank married Lois Leona Holts, the daughter of Lee Holts and Ethel Adams, in
1951. They raised four children, Rolland Lee, Francis Lee, John Lee, and Mary Lee.
Lois died in 1994 and Frank is still living. His favorite uncle was John Nicholas Simons
158
because they both loved to hunt. Frank remembers staying weekends with him in
Curriers so they could go coon hunting together.
Son Henry John Simons (1893 - 1971) and Spouse Laura S. Holmes (1897 – 1995)
Henry married Laura S. Holmes, the daughter of Elmer and Julia Holmes, in 1918.
They settled in Wales in Erie County, New York, where Henry’s parents were living with
Henry and Laura in 1920. Henry listed his occupation as a farm laborer. Henry and
Laura raised three children, Bernice, Bettie and Robert. Henry passed away in 1971
and is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in East Aurora, Erie County, New York. Laura
passed away in 1995 and had been a resident of St. Petersburg, Florida. She was a
past matron and life member of Java Village Chapter 611, Order of the Eastern Star.
She also was a member of the East Aurora Senior Citizens. Laura is also buried in the
Oakwood Cemetery.
Henry John Simons and Laura (Holmes) Simons, 1927
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells
Daughter Bernice SIMONS (still living)
& Spouse: Wayne “Bud” WRIGHT
Born:
16 May 1918, New York
Died:
18 Jun 1988, Pinellas Park, Pinellas Co., FL
Buried: St. Giles Episcopal Cemetery, Pinellas Park, Pinellas Co., FL
Married:
26 Jan 1940
Daughter Bettie SIMONS
Born:
31 Mar 1921, Wales, Erie Co. NY
Died:
06 Feb 2005, Hamburg, Erie Co., NY
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery, East Aurora, Erie Co., NY
& Spouse: Dick J. Kingston
Born:
about 1915, New York
Died:
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery, East Aurora, Erie County, NY
Married:
25 Mar 1940
continued
159
& Other Spouse: Gordon GATES
Born:
06 Mar 1911, Wales, Erie Co., NY
Died:
03 Apr 1995, Chandler, Maricopa, AZ
Buried: Cremated and remains scattered over his former farm, West Falls, Erie Co., NY
Married:
after 1964
Son Robert J. SIMONS
Born:
18 Nov 1933, Wales, Erie Co., NY
Died:
26 Nov 1996, Buffalo, Erie Co., NY
Buried: Wales Hollow Cemetery, South Wales, Erie Co., NY
Married:
24 Nov 1953, Buffalo, Erie Co., NY
& Spouse: Florence THOMPSON (still living)
Bernice is still living. She married Wayne Wright, the son of Wayne and Madaline
Wright, in 1940. They raised a family of three children, Barbara, Robert and Linda.
Wayne passed away in 1988 in Florida and is buried in the St. Giles Episcopal
Cemetery, Pinellas Park, Pinellas County, Florida. Bernice is still living.
Bettie first married Dick Kingston, the son of Thomas Kingston and Jennie Dick, in
1940. They had four children, Jack, Peter, Gary and Patricia. Bettie second married
Gordon Gates, the son of Willis and Harriet Gates sometime after 1964. Bettie was a
stepmother to Gordon’s children, Gary, Phyllis, Marilyn and Michael, from his first
marriage to Alice Burns.
Gordon worked as a switchman for the New York Telephone Co. for 38 years and was a
founding member of its credit union. He later joined the Erie County Sheriff’s
Department and was a charter member of its mounted patrol. He served as captain of
the patrol for nearly 30 years. He loved horses and operated a stable in Orchard Park
in the 1940s and 50s and later boarded horses on his farm in West Falls. He served on
the Orchard Park School Board after World War II and was instrumental in the
construction of the district's first modern high school in 1948.
Gordon passed away in 1995 at their winter home Chandler, Maricopa County, Arizona,
after a long illness. Bettie passed away in 2005 in East Aurora, Erie County, New York
and is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in East Aurora.
Robert J. married Florence Thompson, the daughter of Thomas Thompson and Anna
Bauer, in 1953. They raised a family of four daughters Debra, Cheryl, Judith and
Roberta and a son Jeffrey. Robert was a successful and well-known dairy farmer
retiring in 1995 and was appointed as the Town of Wales Assessor in 1977. He served
in this position for 19 years until the end of 1995. He was a former director of the
Dairylea Milk Cooperative, the Erie County Farm Bureau and the Erie County
Cooperative Extension Service. He enjoyed playing golf and talked with pride about
being "an original Buffalo Bills fan" in the so-called Rockpile days at old War Memorial
Stadium. He also loved to travel. Robert passed away in 1996 after a short illness and is
buried in the Wales Hollow Cemetery in South Wales, Erie County, New York.
Robert’s wife Florence is still living and her son Jeffrey now farms the Peter Simons
family farm.
160
Daughter Odelia Florence Simons (1895 - 1972) and Spouse Arthur Lange (1893 – 1979)
Della married Arthur Lange, the son of Sophia Lange and undetermined spouse, in
1915. They settled in East Aurora, Erie County, New York where Arthur was a
carpenter building homes. According to the 1930 Federal Census, Albert, Della and
their twelve-year-old daughter Marion were living on Main Street in Aurora. Arthur was
a building contactor.
Della (Simons) Lange and Arthur Lange
Courtesy of Karen (Logel) Wells
Daughter Marion LANGE (still living)
& Spouse: Gerald D. Shultes
Born:
28 Jun 1917, New York
Died:
27 Mar 1996, Lancaster, Erie Co., NY
Buried: Lancaster Rural Cemetery, Lancaster, Erie Co., NY
Married:
30 May 1939, East Aurora, Erie Co., NY
Marion married Gerald Shultes, the son of Ray Shultes and Cora Sweetapple, in 1939.
They raised one daughter, Barbara. Gerald passed away in 1996 and is buried in the
Rural Lancaster Cemetery, in Erie Co., NY. He was a retired line foreman for the New
York State Electric and Gas Corporation.
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162