The daily gazette., 1882-01-25
rrsn xs.ssrAss.. 80. na.sas.
10 GArk CoI. SOM.
A 1nemoFinl Upen Eafa Death Hsena
@efeEe the AasnaoEaeAh 6seiesy.


Az The IneerlnR OF the Historical So
ciely, lsst evening, one thousand copies
OF the life Of John M. CLAY ton, by Chief
Justice Comegls, we're ordered " be
piihted, aud the Secretary reported the
following donations as having been re-
eeived since bis last report: Is books,
l5 pamphlets, ] photograph, 10 newspa-
peEs, and alps.
hon. LeOnard e. Wales read the fol-
lowing memorial paper upon the late
Col. IA. 3. MComb, who was Appointment
member OF the Society;
II 10 with sincere sorrow that we have
70 record the death OF Henry Simpson
M'CoInb, which occurred suddenly. on
the 30th day Of last December, IN tue
city Of Philadelphia.
Colonel McComb was a valued mem
Der OF this society from the date OF It's
organlzatio anu always. manifested q
jealous interest In its welfare, taking an
active part in ita proceedings and con-
trl0ating TO the promotion OF ils objects.
II will be d fiicult 70 fill the vacancy
caused by hls death.
Colonel McCOmb was . prominent
character in this community, we'll known
aud esteemed both here and throughout
the State. He was the architect and
builder Of bis own fortunes. Inherlting
only honest poverty forlhls portion, but
endowed with mental and moral quail
ties richer and more useful 10 their pos.
sessor than material wealth, he achieved
success In business rarely obtained by
those who start in life with what are
supposed TO be the most favorable eur.
roundings. As In the history OF all self
made men, obstacles, which would seem
insurmouDtable to the doubling aud Ir-
resolute, served but TO stimulate bis
ambition aud energy, and lie sought not
so much for help from others as for an
opportunity 10 succeed.
Commencing as q manufacturer, In
the art 10 which, in early youth, he had
been apprentieed, he soon became mas
ter Of the business and, having gained
conf Ience BY what be had accomplished
in that department., was ready to en-
bark In other operations which, though
promising more profitable returns, were
attended with greater risks and deman.
ded the best ability for their manage
ment. But he seldom failed In any of
bis uuderl akings. With the capac " TO
comprehend large and Complicated
schemes and sagacious foresight of
probable results, With the courage TO
depend on his own judgment aud an
uDdaunted reliance on his own vigilance
and indus ry, which left nothing TO
chance, he reached, 10 q few years, q
position Of prosperity aud influence that
excited the admiration Of all who had
followed his career from its uncertain
beginning to the successful end.
Whether engaged In fulfilling public
contracts involving extraordinary expen-
dltures and requiring al once caution
and prompt action to avoid disaster IN
the face OF const Antly d1ctnatinK mark
cts, or in prosecuting the extension aud
combination of great lines OF railroad
transportation, he developed natural
talents and displayed practical abilities
OF The highest order, emitting him to
rank With that distinguished class OF
men by whose bold conceptions and dar-
ing enterprise the wealth aud power of
our country have been, within the last
twenty years, so wonderfully increased.
by his lamented decease the city of
Wilmington, the place OF his birth and
of his residence, has lost a useful and
public spirited citizen, who was identi-
fed by bis personal interests with her
present and future growth, and who had
added largely TO her prosperity aud ad-
vancing Importance as one of the chief
manufacturing towns Ia the United
States.
Colonel McComb had supplied the
deficiencies of his youthful educatlon
by self-sulture and vide social inter
course, anu in private life appeared as a
woll-ibformed, atfable, and courteous
gentleman, gene rous to his kindred "a 10
benevolent and chart Ible t1wards all
who stood In need OF his assistance.
He had established his 'pLtaton and
attained his success at an age Wheti the
majority OF business and professional
men are still labOrinR under the heat
and burden OF the day; and our regret
fer his loss Is deeponed by the thought
that he died before time, with ripeninp
but whitening hand, ha | more than gen
tly touched him.
Rev. T. Gardiner Littell moved that
the paper be sprea upon the minutes
of the society, and IN secoudlnR the mo-
ton DR.. l.. r. Bush said
l Will take the liberty ofalludlnR al 20
to the cha aoteristic OF Colonel NJ Comb
In his Judgment OF character which was
so necessary In the large bust ness opera
tions in which he was enRaz zed, nd al.
80 TO his kindness which be evinced In
offering to capable and worthy young
men opportunities oil advancing them
selves in bnsi ness, which they ha avail
cd themselves OF In some ca4es TO their
present prosperity. Similar aBlAta nee
rendered 10 Colonel McComb IN com.
menciDg business, he never eaIod TO
appropriate occasioDs, 10 express his
gratitude TO his beneiactors for their
generosity.
The motion was adopted aud the So