| Notes |
- "Stephen A. Simon, Salem's oldest confectioner, died at his home, 140 Essex Street, this morning (October 5, 1908), quite suddenly. He had been feeble for some time, but was about all day yesterday. He was taken ill early this morning, and a physician was summoned, but Mr. Simon passed away soon after the arrival of the doctor. Mr. Simon was born in Salem, Oct. 20, 1821, and he recieved his education in the Salem public schools. He next learned the confectioner's trade of his father, the late John Saimon (sic), who came to Salem in 1804, and who (established the family confectionary in 1807 on North Street until 1816 and then) began business in the house 160 Essex Street in 1816. On the death of the father, the son continued the business until the present time. The store always enjoyed an enviable reputation; the lads and lassies of the last 75 years always believing that there was never any confectionary quite so nice as that made by Mr. Simon. Mr. Simon was twice married and he leaves a widow, a son and daughter. For nearly 87 years Mr. Simon had lived and conducted business within a few rods of where he was born." (per obituary in Salem Evening News, October 5, 1908.)
The building at 160 Essex Street was located where Moustakis Bros. was located in 1925, and also where Tassinari's previously stood. The building is pictured in a drawing with the storefront labelled "J Simon"; it's pictured to the left of the L.H.Rogers building which still stands as the office center for the Peabody Essex Museum. Stephen A. Simon tried to purchase the building in 1864, since that is where the family business had been located for nearly 50 years. He apparently was unsuccesful and in 1867 purchased the property at 140 Essex Street from the heirs of Col. Francis Peabody. This building was located where New Liberty Street now lays - and must be the building to the right of the L.H.Rogers building in the drawing mentioned above. This old house was built as near as could be ascertained (according to the Salem Evening News, May 28, 1925) from old records sometime about 1710, probably by William Ropes. William's son Joseph, was a cordwainer and storekeeper as was his grandson, Daniel. John Ropes, the son of Daniel, kept store at the property for many years, possibly dealing in West India goods. His son, James, was also a shopkeeper, and at his death the property passed to his daughter, Mrs. Priscilla Ropes Archer. She lived there until her death sometime after 1837. Her son, James Archer kept a bakery shop there until 1840, when another baker named Pepper took over the property. He built the old oven which still existed in 1925.
(see his picture in the Appendix)
He retired at about the age of 50 (per S.H.Simon, via R.Simons)
|
1821 - 1908 (86 years)
[1] 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
