Although Isaac SIMMONS has been in poor health for some time, his death at noon today occasioned a great deal of surprise. About three years ago Mr. Simmons was stricken with la grippe, which left him suffering with heart disease. This morn. he arose about 7 o'cock and Mrs. Simmons thought that he appeared brighter than usual. He ate a fairly good breakfast and went over to the tannery about 9:30. About 11:30 he returned to the house again and said to his wife that he thought he would go upstairs and lie down for awhile. He undressed and went to bed and she brought him a lot of Boston papers to read. He was resting comfortably and reading the papers when Mrs. Simmons left him. After doing some housework she returned to his room in about 15 minutes. He was lying very still. She called to him but received no answer. She called again and again but no answer came. Dr. Crocket happened to be passing the house at the time and Mrs. Simmons noticing him, called him in. He made an examination and found Mr. Simmons dying. Dr. Coulthard, in answer to the summons, arrived soon afterwards, but before he reached the house, Mr. Simmons had passed away. He went off quietly without a struggle and apparently without pain. Deceased was an extensive manufacturer of patent leather and had the reputation of tanning the largest and best hides east of New York. He was engaged in this business up to the time of his death. He started the Queen Street establishment as long ago as 1873 and ran it until 1878 when he accepted the position of managing director of the Fredericton leather company. When the company dissolved in 1886, Mr. Simmons re-opened his Queen Street tannery. Mr. Simmons was born in Queens Co. Sept. 24th, 1831 and was therefore in his 64th year. He came to Fredericton when 9 years of age. Here he received his schooling and here he has lived ever since, being for many years back one the principal businessmen of the place. He was a member in good standing of the Oddfellows and was prominent in the Orange Order for a number of years. In religion he was a Methodist. He represented Wellington ward for three years in the City Council. He served in the old Victoria Rifles seven years as a lieutenant, going to St. Andrews with them in 1866, the date of the Fenian raid. As one of the surviving veterans Mr. Simmons answered to the roll call in April last when the anniversary of their going to the front was celebrated by a banquet. A widow, two sons and two daughters survive him. One son and one daughter are at present living in St. John and have been notified of their father's death. The other son and daughter are living at home.