Died On This Date

Morgan, Ed
b. May 22, 1904 d. April 9, 1980
Major League Baseball Player. The first baseman-outfielder had a banner year with the Cleveland Indians in 1930, when he hit .349 in 150 games with 204 hits, 47 doubles, 11 triples, 26 homers, 136 runs batted in and 123 runs scored. The right-handed hitter also led the American League by striking out 66 times. The following year he batted .351, third in the league behind Al Simmons' .390 and Babe Ruth's .373, and had 33 doubles, 11 homers and 86 RBIs.

Moskala, Edward J.
b. November 6, 1921 d. April 9, 1945
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served as a Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 383d Infantry, 96th Infantry Division. On April 9, 1945 Pvt. Moskala’s unit’s attack on Kakazu Ridge, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands was halted by enemy concentrated machinegun and mortar fire. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Pvt. Moskala charged 40 yards through withering, grazing fire and wiped out 2 machinegun nests.

Wright, Frank Lloyd
b. June 8, 1869 d. April 9, 1959
Architect. He designed office, hotel and museum buildings, as well as dwellings for rich and poor, that were constructed across America and internationally, some of which were controversial and impractical (such as New York’s Guggenheim Museum, which because of its futuristic design of curves and sweeps does not allow for space to exhibit paintings) The main concentration of his structures are located in Oak Park, Illinois, while other commissions were completed years after his death.

Bradford, William
b. 1590 d. April 9, 1657
Colonial Governor. An Englishman who came to the New World on the “Mayflower” in 1620, in England he became one of the religious separatists known as "Pilgrims" Born in Austerfield, Yorkshire, he was an autodidact who met in secret with the other followers of the religious movement who later sought refuge in Holland in 1608. When it was decided that the group would come to the new world it was Bradford that made the arrangements (1617) and in July of 1620, his group traveled to Southampton.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich
b. February 4, 1906 d. April 9, 1945
Memorial only. Lutheran priest and theologian, active anti-Nazi. Arrested 1943 and died in Flossenburg concentration camp.
York, James Edward "Lefty"
b. November 1, 1892 d. April 9, 1961
Major League Baseball Player. He was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1919. He appeared in two games and recorded losses for both, his first being against the Chicago White Sox. Two years later, he pitched for the Chicago Cubs appearing in 40 games mostly in relief. He started 10 games, overall recording five wins and losing nine.

Benton, Brook
b. September 19, 1931 d. April 9, 1988
Rhythm and Blues Musician. A native of Camden, South Carolina, he was born Benjamin Franklin Peay. Known for his baritone voice, he is best remembered for his hit recording of the song, ‘Rainy Night In Georgia,' which also became a hit for other recording artists. Also a noted songwriter with writer and producer Clyde Otis, he began his recording career in the early 1950s while touring the gospel circuit.

Stargell, Wilver Dornel 'Willie'
b. March 6, 1940 d. April 9, 2001
Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. Known as "Pops," he was the National League co-Most Valuable Player in 1979, when he led the Pittsburgh Pirates to the World Series championship. Cause of death: Stroke brought on by Kidney disorder.

Smyth, Thomas Alfred
b. December 25, 1832 d. April 9, 1865
Civil War Union Brigadier General. Enlisted as member of the 24th Pennsylvania Infantry, a six-month unit in 1861. After is was mustered out he was appointed Major of the 1st Delaware Volunteer Infantry, advancing to its Lieutenant Colonel in December 1862 and Colonel and commander in February 1863. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg (where he commanded a brigade). He was promoted to Brigadier General, US Volunteers in October 1864.

Kelley, Leverett Mansfield
b. September 28, 1841 d. April 9, 1924
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He earned his Medal on November 25, 1863, while serving as Sergeant of Company A, 36th Illinois Infantry, at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee. His citation reads: Sprang over the works just captured from the enemy, and calling upon his comrades to follow, rushed forward in the face of a deadly fire and was among the first over the works on the summit, where he compelled the surrender of a Confederate officer and received his sword.

Hitchcock, Billy
b. July 31, 1916 d. April 9, 2006
Major League Baseball Player, Manager. The utility infielder played nine years in the big leagues with the Detroit Tigers (1942, 1946), the Washington Senators (1946), the St. Louis Browns (1947), the Boston Red Sox (1948 to 1949), the Philadelphia Athletics (1950 to 1952) and the Tigers (1953). He was a baseball and football star at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn). The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Hitchcock was an All-Southern Conference tailback who scored on a 40-yard run as Auburn.

Kilbourne, James
b. October 19, 1770 d. April 9, 1850
US Congressman. This Episcopalian minister with an adventuresome spirit played a key role in the development of the Northwest Territory in the early 1800's. Born in New Britain, Connecticut, he moved west at around the age of thirty to help find land for a trading company he helped establish. While in the Northwest Territory he reportedly completed the first map of Ohio and found desirable land for his business venture but did not purchase it right away fearing that Ohio could become a "slave state".

Booker, Robert D.
b. July 11, 1920 d. April 9, 1943
Congressional Medal of honor recipient. Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 34th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Fondouk, Tunisia, 9 April 1943. Entered service at: Callaway, Nebr. Born: 11 July 1920, Callaway, Nebr. G.O. No.: 34, 25 April 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action. On 9 April 1943 in the vicinity of Fondouk, Tunisia, Pvt. Booker, while engaged in action against the enemy. Cause of death: Killed in action.

Frost, Elizabeth Hollister
b. March 1, 1887 d. April 9, 1958
Poet, Author. Elizabeth Hollister was born in Rochester, New York along with a twin sister Harriet Weed Hollister Spencer. She was the daughter of Emily Weed Hollister (1857-1932) and George C. Hollister (died 1932). Interesting mention is they were family friends of Susan B Anthony. She was married to Elliott Park Frost who was a professor of psychology at the U. of Rochester on June 3, 1916.