Smyrna times., 1925-05-13
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
Rev. J. L. Estlin, Pastor of the Pres
byterian Church of Smyrna From
1895 to 1906, Dies at SwarthmOre


Rev. J. L. Estlin, who was pastor of
the Presbyterian Church of Smyrna
from 1895 to 1906, died at the home
of his daughter, Mrs. John Helms,
in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, on
May 7th, and was buried pri-
vately Tuesday of last week from
Oliver H. BARS funeral parlOrs. The
announcement of his death was re-
ceived with sorrow by his old friends
in Smyrna. A few years ago he had
the misfortune to lose his wife since
which time he has been making his
home with his married daughter in
Swarthmore, Pa. Rev. Mr.. Estlin,
because of his impaired health, has
not been able to serve a pastorate for
number of years. He was q son of
the late John S. Estlin, a prominent
stove manufacturer of Philadelphia,
where he was born, raised and spent
his early life. He received his educa
ton at Lafayette College and theo-
logical seminary, and was ordained a
Presbyterian minister. He served
charges in Philadelphia, Wilmington
West Chester and Dilworthtown before
coming to Smyrna. He received the
call from the Smyrna Presbyterian
Church September 13, 1895, and was
formally installed by the Moderator
/ of the Presbytery October II, 1895.
/ He succeeded Rev. c. c. Adams, who
resigned the Smyrna pastorate to take
another charge. During Rev. Mr.. Est
lens pastOrate, the present manse was
built and the pipe organ was installed
in the church, funds for each being
raised thru his efforts as we'll as the
paying off of an old debt of $1,700
against the church. He was interest
ed in the civic, as we'll as the religious
betterment of the town and was active
in a number of enterprises. After
eleven years of successful pastorate
/ he resigned and moved to the vicinity
Of Philadelphia where he has lived
ever since. The Rev. j. NJ. L. Eckard
. succeeded him as pastor of the Smyr-
ma Presbyterian Church which charge
he gave up two years ago after q
ten years pastorate. The Rev. b. n
Morgan, a Princeton Theological stu
dent, has been supplying the church
ever since. Rev. Mr.. Estlin is sur
vived by his married daughter Marie
His only son, boy 19 years of age
died in Wilmington in 1894, a veal
before the Estlins moved to Smyrna
Mrs. Estlin died about four years age
after the family moved from here.
Death of Mrs. Harry WOOdkeeper
Mrs. Laura A. Woodkeeper, wife O.
Former Representative Harry Wood
keeper, and a prominent farmer nea
TaylOr's Bridge, died Friday after ;
lingering illness. Her health ha,
been undermined for several months
and despite her great suffering, whicl
she bore with christian fortitude, sh
took an interest in her family circl
and friends up to the last. She wa
a daughter CT the late Robert n. an,
, Anytime COLLINS Huggins and wa
, born, raised and spent her whole lif
in Thoroughfare Neck. From he
early girlhood she was interested i
, Friendship Methodist EpiscOp
/ Church and Sunday School, For
number of years she taught a class o
young men in the Sunday School an
p these young men served as pail bear
{ ers at her funeral which took plac
q from her late residence in Thorough
| fare Neck yesterday afternoon
! charge of Rev. Mr.. Mcguire, the pas
= tor of the Odessa-Friendship Circui
, Interment was made in Odd Fellow
: cemetery, Smyrna, and was largel
a attended. Besides her husband she
! survived by one daughter, Edna Woo
n keeper, who married Charles Duke
q a prominent young farmer of nea
o Odessa. Popular with all who kne
II her, useful in the community and a
! exemplary Christian woman, her il
p huence for good will live after her fC
n years to come.
~ Plan New Roads Over in New Cast