Smyrna times., 1928-11-21
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
William J. Oglesby, ReaItor Of Ches-
ter and Once Leader of Oglesby's
Orchestra at Woodland Beach

!
er, well-known in Smyrna and vicir.
ity, as leader of Oglesby's Orchestrs
which was popular at WOODLAND
Beach 25 or 80 years ago, was killed
Wednesday by a Pennsylvania Rail.
road passenger train on the trestle
spanning Eddystone avenue, near the
Eddystone station. The aged man
whose home was at 402 East 4th
street, Chester, Pa, was seen walking
along the tracks just as the train, a
local from Wilmington to. Philadel-
phia, due at Eddystone at 9.27 a. M,
approached the trestle. Two men on
the street yelled a warning to Ogles-
by, but he stopped in the middle of
the tracks, probably too frightened to
move. The locomotive hurled him
twenty feet. The body was trken to
Chester Morgue, and was not -denti-
fed until l p. m, when Oglesby's
sons, Robert and Samuel, saw il and
recognized their father Mr.. Ogles-
by's death resulted from his hobby of
taking walk daily into the country.
In these walks he always stayed off
busy city streets or congested country
highways, and, when he wanted to
take a. short cut, used the railroad
right-of-way. He was a former
Councilman in Chester, and in 1908
was City Controller there. A brother
Philip Oglesby, is an alderman there
now. Thirty-five years ago, he or
ganized the once famous Oglesby
Band, composed chiefly Of members Of
his family, and toured the East. Lat
er, he organized and conducted several
other bands, but to Smyrnians he and
His sons Bob and Sam, will be re-
membered BY the old dancing crowd
which enjoyed Oglesby's music and
the Woodland Beach pavilion on
many an occasion. In addition To his
sons, ne is survived BY the widow and
his brothers, Philip, George and Har-
ry.
Death Of Mrs. Rebecca J. Collins
Mrs. Rebecca Jane Jester Collins,
widow Of Peter s. Collins, was found
dead in bed at the home Of Mrs. Har-
ry w. Sherwood, whom she was Wis
iting, yesterday morning, about
ten o'clock. Mrs. Sherwood was wait
ing for her to come down to break
fast and upon investigating, found
that she had evidently been dead only
a short time. Death was due to heart
trouble. The deceased was 79 years
Of age. She resided with her daugh-
ter at Haddon Heights, n. j., al
though she was a former resident Of
Smyrna. She was a member of the
Asbury NJ. z. Church. She is surviv-
ed BY one daughter, Mrs. Elva Jester
Porter, widow Of Wilmer L. Porter of
Haddon Heights, N. J. The funeral
services will be held from Asbury NJ.
z. Church On Thursday, November %,
at 2 p. m. Interment will be made at
Glenwood Cemetery.
Death Of Frank Hoffecker Benson
Frank Hoffecker Benson, aged 81,
son Of the late Joseph B. and Eliza
beth (Crockett) Benson, passed away
Sunday, November 18, in Philadelphia
after more than a years illness. He
leaves wife and two grown daugh-
ters, also four brothers, Walter g., of
Ohio; Charles E., Wash
ington, d. c.; Hepburn S., and Harry
q, Philadelphia; two sisters, Mrs. T.
Hubert Wood, Collingswood, N. j.,
and Mrs. "A. F. P. Huston, Pittsburgh, |
Pa. Before moving to Philadelphia |
over a year ago he was a contractor !
and builder in Collingsdale, Pa. He |
vas highly esteemed by all who knew
1im and was a good husband and kind |
father Funeral will take place today
Wednesday, November 21st, at 2
,'clock from Oliver Bears funeral
larlors.
Mrs. Fannie GuessfOrd of Blackbird
Miss Fannie Guessford, of Black
bird, who died recently, after an i'll
less Of three weeks, at the home of
dr. and Mrs. David Stats, was bur-
ed Monday of last week. Interment
vas in Townsend Cemetery, Rev. RS.
1Odgson, officiating. Miss Guessford
vas 81 years of age and is survived
" four sisters and three brothers:
drs. Susan Mayberry, of near Black
ird; Mrs. Robert H. Morgan, of near
'ownsend; Mr.. Albert Guessford, of
ear Townsend; Mr.. Isaac Guessford,
f near Middletown; Nathaniel Guess
ord, who resides on the Levels;
Irs. George VanHorn, of near Men
inhall, Pa, and Mrs. Victoria Van
)yke, of Wilmington.
Death of Mrs. William r. Davis
Mrs. Annie Riggs Davis, wife of
William r. Davis, a prominent retir-
d farmer of Smyrna, died Sunday
corning at her residence on South
lain street after a lingering illness.
he had been i'll a number of years.
right and cheerful she bore her af-
iction with fortitude and was es- ,
semed by many friends. Her hus-
and survives her. Funeral services
ill take place at two o'clock this af-
=. e D., |