Simmons, James M.

James Simmons

Life Story

James was born 1870 in Halifax County and soon after moved to Kentville. He began his career with the Dominion Atlantic Railway (assumed) as a baggage handler in 1892. He was married January 1898 and at that time was the Baggage Master of the DAR Kentville station. In the 1901 Canadian census, he is still listed as the Baggage Master, however by 1907, he was promoted to conductor. In the 1924 seniority list, James is listed as the 6th highest ranking conductor. After 41 years working for the DAR, James retired as a conductor in 1933. He passed away a short time later in 1936, at age 66. He had one son who passed away at age 8. He is buried at St. Josephs cemetery in Kentville.

Amazingly, another collector has a metal box with the name "J. Simmions" and "DAR" painted on it. We believe simmions is a spelling mistake, as there is no Simmions who worked for the DAR, let alone living in Nova Scotia in the 1901 census.

Vital Statistics

• Date Born: 1870-MM-DD
• Place Born: Halifax County, Nova Scotia
• Date Died: 1936-MM-DD
• Place Died: Kentville, Nova Scotia
• Place Interred: St. Josephs cemetery, Kentville, Nova Scotia

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  St. Joseph's Cemetery.

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  James M. Simmons headstone.

Life with the D.A.R.

First Position Held

• Position: Baggage Handler
• Date Started: 1892-MM-DD

Second Position Held

• Position: Baggage Master
• Date Started: 1898-MM-DD

Third Position Held

• Position: Conductor
• Date Started: 1907-MM-DD

Retired

• Date Retired: 1933-MM-DD