Smyrna times., 1928-06-13
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
Thomas Davis, Well Known Whining
ton Attorney, Native of Milford,
Dies Suddenly of Heart Trouble

versity of Delaware, died early Thurs
day evening at his home, 1908 North
Rodney street, Wilmington, following
a sudden attack of heart trouble. He
was rs years old. Mr.. Davis had not
been in health for several days, but
was not confined to his bed until Tues
day. Mr.. Davis was born at Milford,
August 18, 1852, a son of the late
Robert H. Davis and Anna Jefferson
Frame Davis, and attended a private
school at Milford. Later he entered
Delaware College, University of Del
aware, graduating with honors in the
class of 1875. He studied law under
the late Judge Charles B. Lore in
Wilmington, and was admitted to the
Delaware Bar in 1878. He was still
active in his practive of law until the
time of his. death, maintaining an of
flee in the Equitable building, Will
mington, with his son, ]. Rankin Da-
Wis, also an attorney. In 1887 he was
appointed Deputy Attorney General
and served in that capacity for a full
term under John Biggs. After the
death of Lewis Bush in 1905, Mr.. Da-
Wis was appointed trustee of the
University of Delaware. He was an
active member of the Westminster
PRESBYTERIAN Church, and at the time
of his death was an elder of the
church. Besides his son, he is survlv-
ed BY his wife, Mrs. Marion Clara
Springer Davis, daughter of the late
James and Sarah Rankin Springer, Of
Newark; and two daughters, Miss
Mabel S. Davis, Of Wilmington, and
Mrs. Margaret Williken, Of Balboa,
Panama Canal Zone He is also sur
vived BY one brother, Robert z. Davis,
Milford attorney,and two sisters, Miss
Anna ]. Davis and Miss Burdella Dav-
is, also of Milford.
Mrs. Alfred H. Skinner, Of Clayton
Mrs. Mary P. Skinner, former res
ident Of Clayton, wife Of the late al
fred H. Skinner, passed away at the
home Of her daughter, Mrs. RIM. Har-
grove in Colonial Heights, Whining
ton, on Saturday Mrs. Skinner had
been visiting her son William and
family on the Clayton and Smyrna
road for sometime She was taken
sick suddenly i'll on Saturday, June z
and did not respond to treatment
Her children, seeing she was becoming
worse, had her moved to her home iii
I the ambulance Friday afternoon and
she died at $50 a. m., Saturday,
June 8. Mrs. Skinner was an active
member Of st. PauIs M. E. Church Of
Clayton while living there. The sad
| intelligence Of her death was received
in Clayton with profound sorrow. Mrs.
\ Skinner attended the Clayton gram
mar school commencement exercises
at Ewell's NJ. P. Church, Clayton, Fri
day evening, and her friends were 50
surprised to hear Of her sudden ILL
ness On Saturday. She is survived by
four children: Samuel J. Skinner
| Smyrna; Mrs. Elizabeth Lloyd, Will
mington; William "A. Skinner, Clay
ton; and Mrs.R.M. Hargrove, Colonial
Heights, Wilmington. She is also
survived BY nine grandchildren and
two great grandchildren. Funeral
services took place yesterday, Tues
day afternoon, at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. r. NJ Hargrove at
o'clock, in charge Of Rev. McSorley
Interment was at Riverview Cemetery
Wilmington.
Mrs. Rachel English VanGasken
Mrs. Rachel English VanGasken
aged "a years, widow Of John Van.
Gasken, a prominent citizen Of Smyr
ma, died at her home on Delaware
street, Wednesday night after long
illness. She is survived by one sister
Miss Mary English who is seriously
i'll in the same home. Besides he
sister, she is survived by four step
children: Mrs. Frank E. Postles, o.
Smyrna; DIR. Frances VanGasken
Philadelphia; and Harry VanGasken
Wilmington; and William VanGaskeI
who lives in the State of Washington
Former Postmaster James j. Englisl
of Wilmington is a nephew of the de
ceased. In her early womanhoOd sh'
} married Jacob Stats who died in hi
seventies and in 1875 she married Nh
} VanGasken who died in 1908. Tn
funeral was held at o'clock Frida.
afternoon at her late residence OF
Delaware street, with the Rev. r. K
} Stephenson, pastor of Asbury NJ. I
Church of which she was a member
: officiating. Interment was made il
2 Glenwood Cemetery.
Abel ]. Riggs, Native Smyrnian, Dea,
+ Abel ]. Riggs, aged SO, brother 0
, Mrs. William r. Davis, of this town
died in a home for aged men in Phil
adeIphia, and was buried in st. Pet
er's Cemetery, Smyrna, Monday 0
last week. Mr.. Riggs was son Q
{ the late William f. and Sarah Sew
! Riggs and was born and spent all 0
his early life in this vicinity He FOL
I. lowed farming and later ran tn
, | o4o,. - ,,onrza