Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 546; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Andrew J. McCombs. The simple record of the life of a man
who has quietly pursued his chosen calling is the best testimonial that
can be given to his worth of character. In general the life of a
farmer is an uneventful one marked by no startling incidents, although
its usefulness may be felt throughout an extended circle of
acquaintances and exert great influence. The subject of this
notice has pursued the even tenor of his way as a farmer, taking a part
in various matters which concerned the welfare of the section in which
he lives in the same unpretentious matter. He owns and operates
two hundred acres of land, part of which is in Fairview Township, and
part in Knox County, due north of the home.
Before entering upon the history of our subject it will not be
amiss to devote a brief paragraph to that of his respected
parents. His father, James McCombs, was born in Scotland and came
to America when about twenty-four years old, settling in Utica, N.
Y. There he established himself at his trade of a carpenter and
finally set up his own home, marrying Mary O. Armstrong, a native of
the Empire State. Mr. McCombs died when our subject was seven
years old, leaving two children – he of whom we write and Mary O., now
the wife of Phineas Smith, a farmer near Shipman. The widowed
mother subsequently married James Reese, by whom she had three
children, the only one now living being Henry, who resides in New York.
The subject of this sketch was born November 4, 1832, and grew
to manhood in his native State. He attended the common schools
and when quite young acquired a knowledge of agriculture, much of his
time having been spent on a farm; as his mother married a second time
he went to live with his grandparents. In 7, he came to Illinois
and some years later, having taken a companion, he purchased on hundred
and ten acres of land he yet owns. Still later he purchased an
additional ninety-one acres, all of which he successfully operates.
The wife of Mr. McCombs is a woman of most estimable character,
many womanly attainments and more than ordinary intelligence. She
was formerly known as Miss Sarah Jane Smith, her father, Jonathan
Smith, having been one of the wealthy residents in the township.
The family history will be found in the sketch of Foster Smith on
another page in this Album. The marriage of Mr. McCombs and Miss
Smith was solemnized in 866, and has been blest to them by the birth of
four bright children – Grace A., Jonathan S., James C. and Foster
G. These children have been instructed by their parents in the
virtues of character and courtesy of manner which are desirable and
have been well educated in the schools of the vicinity.
In politics Mr. McCombs is a Democrat. For the past
twenty-five years he has been Director o his school district and has
labored arduously to build up the district school, which is now well
known as the best in the township. Mr. McCombs belongs to the
Masonic Lodge at Farmington and his wife is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Fairview. He helped to extend the Iowa
Central Railroad by donating money toward the right of way in the
township. He is well thought of by his fellow citizens, being a
good, whole-souled man, intelligent and moral.
