The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-02-15
Mrs. Ellen Bloom Marble,
Actress, Died Recently
WIDOW OF THE COMEDIAN
Recalls Days of Plankett Family
And Other Famous Stage
Celebrities

from fflodyS Odtiy.
From Mrs. Clyde Moses of Seattle
The Madelia News received the fol-
lowing story which will convey in
formation of interest to all of the
older residents, having to do with one
known to many here in earlier days.
The clipping is from The Dramatic
Mirror:
ELLEN Bloom Marble, an actress for
more than fifty years, died January
IA at the States Island hospital. She
had been ill for several months. Mrs.
Marble, who was sixty nine years old,
went on the stage when she was
eighteen After playing character
parts in stocks for ten years, she toured
the country with her own company.
She then married Dick Oglesby, a
we'll known actor and producer, and
cousin of former Governor Dick Ogles-
by of Illinois. After his death she mar
ried William Marble, with whom she
appeared until his death, six years ago.
She continued in her stage work alone
and last season played in stock at
Norfolk, Va.
Billy and Ella Marble, as they were
Familiarity known here and on the
stage, spent their summers here for
| many years, and seemed to have had
a great liking for Madelia, says The
News. They had their own company
and it was their invariable custom
| for many years to open their season
here, always doing good business.
Mrs. Moses visited Mrs. Marble in
New York last summer and it was
apparent at that time that the aged
player was failing in health rapidly
Mr.. and Mrs. Marble had two Sons
Willis. now in vaudeville in New
York, and Morrie, whose whereabouts
| are not now known.
Mary Marble, a niece of Billy and
Ella Marble, learned j the dramatic
profession with them and has been
for many years one Of the best known
ingenue and juvenile character play
er on the American stage. Those who
knew the Marbles remember hel
very we'll. A nephew, Dan Marble, al
so lived and went to school here fol
several years, later going on the stage
| The last time he. was here, which was
many years ago., he was on tour with
| a Hoyt's milk White Flag" company
/ The Marbles, Ella and Billy, were
both players of great talent and were
known all over the country among
stage folk. They might have achieved
much greater popular acclaim had il
not been for the fact that they pre-
ferred to head their own company
and be thus independent, rather thar
hn Of ~
great producers Billy Marble in hi
day was one of the finest comedians
in America Both Mr.. and Mrs. Mar
BILE were pleasant, unassuming peo
pie in their private life and made
many friends here, with whom the.
seemed to enjoy passing the days o
their summer vacations.
In his day there was no better o
more famous comedian than Bill.
Marble. For number of years he wa
, member of the troupe of actors mad
, up of the Plunkett family, one of tn
early day theatrical organization
that played Wisconsin and Misnesota
! The Plunkett family was well like
and enjoyed fine reputation a
actors of ability Charles Plunkett, on
of the boys, appeared in Mankato sew
eral years ago. He played the char
acter of Gee Williker Hay" in ''Ten
nessee's Pardner,' role which wa
originated by that other famous come
dian Charles B. Hawkins, an actor G
the old school Mr. Hawkins also ha
been in Mankato on several occasion:
He died in poverty in Chicago abou
) two wears ago