The Nieces

Grace, Florence and Helen Tobin at a young age were brought to the Brown family home on 1340 Pennsylvania Street after their mother, Mary Brophy Grace Tobin, after dealing with a long illness died in 1903 at the age of 37. Margaret Brown raised the children as if they were her own from this day forward and provided them with every opportunity possible. Daniel Tobin, Margaret’s brother, continued to raise his son and seeing his daughters when he could, but was away often working for J.J. Brown in the mines.

The nieces were brought up to be well-educated, articulate, and independent women. Margaret’s work on the stage inspired all three girls to be involved with the performing arts. The Tobin girls lead fascinating lives during a time when the idea of women’s roles was dramatically changing. Margaret’s other activities including, travel, social engagements, and activism became instilled into the lives of Grace, Florence and Helen.

Grace Loretta Tobin was eleven years old when she went to live with the Brown’s. Grace, like her sisters, enjoyed traveling and dancing and was introduced into society at an early age. When she was eighteen, before leaving for

Margaret's three nieces

England with her sisters and aunt to see her cousin Helen’s presentation to the English court, Grace was persuaded to stay in Denver by Leslie Mortimer Carroll. The couple was married on April 17, 1911 just after the rest of her family set sail. The New York Times reported Leslie as saying, “One glance at her dainty blond beauty was enough for the young man of Chicago,” and he declared that he couldn’t rest until he had slipped a wedding ring on her finger.” The couple met at a dinner party hosted by Leslie’s aunt on Pearl Street in Denver. Leslie was the son of a Chicago millionaire. He received his inheritance at twenty one and came to Denver to make investments. Grace and Leslie had two children Florence Helen Carroll and Dorothy Louise Carroll. Dorothy became a child actress in silent films. The two children were adored by their aunts and the Carroll families were regular guests at Margaret’s cottage in Newport.

Florence became well known at a young age due to her traveling with Margaret around the globe and in the social graces of Newport, RI. When Margaret was traveling on the famous and tragic ship Titanic, Florence was in Denver finishing her studies and eagerly waiting to accompany her aunt on her next trip to Europe. During one of her stays in Europe, Florence was given the opportunity to study art, music and dancing. While in Germany, Florence was a protégée of Isadora Duncan, the dancer credited with inventing modern dance. Florence performed for the German Emperor for which she received a medal. Florence was often complemented on her performances in the Newport society pages. In Newport she was known for being not only pretty but athletic and “one of the best classical dancers.” One summer stay in Newport with her aunt, Florence was perused by her first suitor, Prince Gennaro Caracciolo of Italy who was studying American economic and social conditions. The Prince was thirty years her senior. In 1913 Newport’s society columns were announcing that “another munificent international marriage was imminent.” Helen Brown, Florence’s cousin commented that “The prince is a harmless old man,” she declared. “Florence doesn’t care for the society of old men and we wouldn’t consider him for a moment in the light of a husband.”

Florence had her eye on William Harper, a childhood friend whose family was associated with Harper Engineering Company and well known publishers; he was a handsome and

adventurous friend of Lawrence Brown. The couple was married on February 2, 1914 in Newport, RI. The New York Times posting read,” The wedding of Miss Florence Tobin of Denver and William Harper, Jr., of New York will take place tomorrow evening at the cottage of the bride’s aunt, Mrs. James J. Brown.

Only relatives will be present. A dinner at the Muenchinger-King will follow, with Mrs. Brown as hostess. Among the guests here are Mrs. Mortimer Carroll of Chicago, sister of the bride, and her cousins, Mr. and Mrs. George Benzinger of New York. The bride will wear rose point baby Irish lace, trimmed with marabou in princess effect. And a tulle veil, held with a tiara of pearls and diamonds, the latter a part of the Elizabethan collection Mrs. Brown purchased in Europe two years ago, and a gift to the bride.” Helen and Grace were bridesmaids for their sister’s wedding and in their outfits represented the Irish theme. William and Florence did not have any children.

William Harper, Jr., who would become husband to Florence Tobin in 1914

Helen Marie Tobin was only five years old when her mother died and she went to live with the Brown family. Helen is known for being the closest to Margaret out of the nieces. Helen was introduced into society at the early age of twelve in 1910 which lead her to headline Denver Society Pages. This introduction was made at a garden party that Margaret had for 800 people at the “House of Lions” on Pennsylvania Street. As a teenager Helen had already acquired her love of travel from her aunt and she was determined to see all of Europe. Helen was also noticed by the society pages in Newport for being as well dressed as her aunt. For her debut in Newport she was noted as wearing a white crepe de Chine dress, embroidered in large swirls of black and red with a short sleeveless black velvet jacket. Helen, just like her older sister Florence, became famous for her dancing. Helen wowed the crowd in her dancing exposition on August 1, 1914 in Newport with her version of Lulufado and the Argentine Serenade, the latest Parisian favorite. When Margaret was running for Congress, Helen Tobin was right there with her on the campaign trail. Similar to Margaret being involved with the Red Cross during World War I, Helen joined the Red Cross Motor Corps, which provided transportation to support canteens, military hospitals, and camps. Helen’s outgoing personality increased her popularity along with her acting ability. Helen changed her name to Helene and in the late 1920s starred in the show The Cradle Snatchers alongside Humphrey Bogart.

Helen met her husband, King Kosure, while doing a play in St. Louis. Kosure was the manager of Coronado Hotel at that time. The couple moved to Kansas City and King Kosure managed the Hotel Bellerive while Helene worked in radio. In 1943, Helen’s life ended tragically. Mr. Kosure was managing the Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis when he received word from the St. Louis Dispatch that Helene had been killed in a fall from the tenth floor of the Hotel Pierre in New York which she had been staying at for the previous month. She was only forty-two.

Margaret Brown raised her nieces as if they were her own children and provided them with the opportunity to be independent women and enjoy the finer things in life. Grace, Florence, and Helen were able to experience many adventures in the care of their aunt. Margaret’s children Helen and Lawrence considered their cousins to be more like sisters. When Margaret died in 1932, here nieces along with the rest of the family were in her will. Grace Tobin Carroll was living in Los Angeles, Florence Tobin Harper in New York and Helene Kosure was living in St. Louis. All three sisters and their families were frequent guests at Newport and Margaret’s other residences. Following in Margaret’s footsteps, her nieces led very rich and full lives.

Image from the Molly Brown House Museum and Wikipedia