The daily gazette., 1881-12-31
COL. M'COMB'S DEATH
SAD AND SUDDEN ENDING
OF A USEFUL LIFE.

| LhhNiNt HUME 10
ATTEND FESTIVE OCCASION,
HE Is BROUGHT BACK A
coRPsE-sKETCH OF
HIS CAREER.
The sudden death of Col. Henry S.
McComb, of this city, yesterday after.
noon, as announced in the late edition
OF the GAZETTE, was surprise so
astonishing that many persons found
it hard to bring themselves to reali-
cation of the sad truth. Confirmation
of the dismal report, however, came
only too soon, and the last glimmer of
hope that the news was not true soon
faded away.
His death was the last thing thought
of when he left home, yesterday morn
Ing, on the o'clock train for Phila>
delphia. He had been invited to at
tend the dinner given to Secretary of
State Frelirghuysen, at Newark, N
j., last evening, and started early SO
as to have time to stop in Philadelphia
and cal upon Hon. Wayne Mac Veagh, ,
in whose company he intended to go
on to Newark. Previous to his de-
partue he was in unusually good
spirits and looked the very picture of
perfect health. He chatted pleasantly
with a GAZETTE reporter until he
boarded the train, and this brief con-
versation was probably the last he
had with any of his fellow cit zens.
lie said he anticipated very pleasant
time at the Newark dinner.
In Philadelphia, after attending to
some business, he stopped at the West
End Hotel, where he arrived about
eleven o'clock, and chatted pleasantly
with the clerk aud afterwards was
shown to one of the parlors. Hardly
five minutes had elapsed before one of
tine lady guests came hurriedly down
stairs to the office and excitedly in
formed the clerk that Mr.. McComb
was dying. Mr.. Freeman, the clerk,
ran to the parlor and there discovered
Mr.. McComb lying in an unconscious
state on the floor. Two physicians
were at once summoned, but arrived
too late to be of any service. Mr..
Freeman at once communicated with
Mr.. McComb's friends in Wilmington,
acquaintiug them with the fact of his
sudden death.
His death was the result of apo
plexy. Last night George III. Bates,
Esq, and George w. Bush went TO
the hotel and made arrangements for
conveying the body to this city. They
succeeded in getting the Coroner's
permission, and brought the body,
which was placen in an iron box, to
Wilmington, in charge of Undertskers
Good. of Philadelphia, and j. A. Viii.
son, of this city, arriving here at ii
o'clock. The remains were met by
II. G. Robinson, Thos. Porter and E.
r. Walton, and taken to the late resi-
dence of the deceased, Eleventh and
Market streets.
The funeral will take place from the
house on Tuesday afternoon next, at
2 O'Clock.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Col. McComb was a self made man, in
every sense of the term. He was born
in this city, the date of his birth being
July % h, 1925. His parents were OF
Irish birth, his father being an humble
blacksmith, who came here from West
Chester, Pa, aud whose shop adjoIned
| St. Andrews z. L. Church. Al an early
age the subject of this sketch entered the
Office of the old DelaWare Journal as a
roller boy, steam presses being then un-
| known III Delaware. where he remained
year or more. Al The age of ID years,
he started to learn the trade OF currier,
with Israel Pusey, whose factory was
then located at tue north east corner of
Fourth and Orange streets. As lad he
exhibited those traits OF energy and will
that disti guished him in later life. His
experience in the printing Office gave
| him thirst tor knowledge which be sat
isfied in every possible way, devoting all
his spare moments to reading and study.
| By these endeavors, he acquired, while
working at his trade, fair knowledge
OF Latin, 6 reek and also French, be
sides large stock of varied information.
| This trainlug, in addition to an INTEL
| pence far beyond his years, which im
pelled him TO mingle with men aud as
sumo manly ways long before he reached
the years OF manhood, fitted him in a
great measure for the important respou-
sibihlies that he afterwards assumed.
He finished his apprenticeship without
buying any OF bis indenture, as has been
stated.
For year after ending his apprentice
ship he worked for Mr.. Pusey, and then
started In the leather business for him.
self. at the southeast corner of Third and
Orauge streets. buying out Saml VIII
hanson, who had been established there
for several years. The propo ition for
this transaction came from Mr. VIII
liamson,, VINO asked young McComb to
buy him ou.. Sad the latter, "Why,
sam, how can | carry on the business,
When you eannotp" "Why you can keep
your own books" replied Williamson,
..wi,ile can not, aud have to employ q
book keeper" He then closed The bar
pain,and did attend to his book keeping,
until he took into his employ his brothef
James, who died twenty one years ago.
His adventure was encouraged by
Judge Hall, Enoch Roberts aud Benz
Ferris, who kindly aided him in every
way. He prospered, aud IN lew years
he removed to the other side OF orapge
street, where his present large establish
! mept Is located. Being intimately ac
> ouainted " th Adjutant-General Lorenzo
Thomas, of the u. S. army, VINO was
citizen OF this s ate, he was enabled u
, procure a number of contracts Tor arm,
leather supplies, aud thus, when the wa
h-oke ont, aud the army grew IRON
10 900 to one million of men, was IN
measure prepared to handle the neav.
contracts the government at once gaV'
out. He took hold OF this business WIN
q firm band, taking immense contracts 10