Died On This Date

April 24

Abbott, Bud
b. October 2, 1895 d. April 24, 1974
Actor, Comedian. He is best remembered for his partnership with Lou Costello that formed the highly successful "Abbott and Costello" comedy team. Born William Alexander Abbott in Asbury Park, New Jersey, he worked in carnivals while still a child, and dropped out of school in 1909. He worked for awhile as a treasurer for the Casino Theater in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, and then for other theaters around the country. Cause of death: Cancer.

Simpson (Warfield), Wallis (Bessie Wallis)
b. June 19, 1896 d. April 24, 1986
American Folk Person, English Duchess. Her life's journey was so bazaar and over the horizon that one could surmise it was written by a Hollywood screen writer. A twice-divorced woman, an American commoner, shook the British Monarchy to its foundations by capturing the heart of its king who then gave up his throne so they could be married. She was born Bessie Wallis Warfield, in a cottage on the grounds of Monterey Inn, a fashionable resort in Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania.

Lauder, Estee
b. July 1, 1908 d. April 24, 2004
Cosmetics Magnate. Born Josephine Esther Mentzer she turned a kitchen blended face cream business into an international cosmetics empire. Along with her husband Leonard Lauter (later Lauder) they turned the Estee Lauder into a household name in 1953. Over the years they added lines and new products, fragrances such as White Linen and Cinnabar, the Aramis line of men's toiletries and the Clinique line of fragrance-free, allergy-tested products.

Harrison, Benjamin
b. December 13, 1730 d. April 24, 1791
Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Virginia. He was the father of 9th US President William Henry Harrison (1773 – 1841) and the Great-Grandfather of 23rd US President Benjamin Harrison (1833 – 1901).

Cox, Robert Edward
b. December 22, 1876 d. April 24, 1937
US Navy Peacetime Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Navy as a Chief Gunners’ Mate on board the Battleship “USS Missouri” (BB-11). He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery during an accident on board the ship in April 13, 1904. His citation reads “While at target practice off Pensacola, Fla., an accident occurred in the after turret of the Missouri whereby the lives of 5 officers and 28 men were lost. The ship was in imminent danger of destruction by explosion.

Hibbler, Allbert George
b. August 16, 1915 d. April 24, 2001
Jazz Singer. Blind from birth, he is best remembered as one of Duke Ellington's most colorful vocalists. After he went solo in the 1950's he enjoyed his biggest hit with "Unchained Melody." As a jazz singer he was known for his rich baritone voice and his exaggerated phrasing.

Paulsen, Pat
b. July 6, 1927 d. April 24, 1997
Actor, Comedian, and Presidential Candidate. Born Patrick Layton Paulsen. Died aged 69 from Pneumonia after battling colon cancer. Appeared in "Pat Paulsen's Half-Hour Comedy Hour" (1970), "Harper Valley P.T.A." (1978), and "Blood Sucker from Outer Space" (1984). Cause of death: Cancer.

Oglesby, Richard James
b. July 25, 1824 d. April 24, 1899
Civil War Union Brigadier General, 14th Illinois Governor, US Senator.

Koster, Fred
b. December 21, 1905 d. April 24, 1979
Major League Baseball Player. The left-handed-hitting outfielder played in 76 games for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1931. He hit .225. Later, he had a successful car dealership in Louisville.

Scott, Edward Irvin
b. May 13, 1846 d. April 24, 1931
Business Magnate. Founder and President of the Scott Paper Company. The company became the leading producer of bathroom tissue by 1890. Today, Scott Paper Company is part of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and the Scott products are available in virtually every city in the United States.

Hallidie, Andrew Smith
b. March 16, 1836 d. April 24, 1900
Engineer, Inventor. Andrew Hallidie emigrated to America in 1852 during California's gold rush. While he didn't find wealth in the mines, he did at least find work as a surveyor, contractor and engineer. He became the first person to make wire rope cables, critical elements of suspension bridges, mine hauling systems, and an endless cable ropeway for industrial purposes which Hallidie patented in 1867. He received his first cable car-related patent on January 17, 1871.

Morey, Delano
b. July 14, 1845 d. April 24, 1911
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a prisoner of war. He served as a Private in the Union Army in Company B, 82d Ohio Infantry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on May 8, 1862 at McDowell, Virginia. His citation reads "After the charge of the command had been repulsed, he rushed forward alone with an empty gun and captured two of the enemy's sharpshooters."

Hewitt, Eliza Edmunds
b. June 28, 1851 d. April 24, 1920
Hymns Writer. She is the cousin of Hymn Writer 'Edgar Page Stites'.