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John Spires MaComb (1850-1924)

MACOMB, MCCAULEY, MCKINNEY, DAVIS, OLDAG

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 11/11/2021 at 02:53:40

John S. MaComb Died Saturday
Aged and Highly Respected Citizen of this Community for Thirty-Six Years

John S. Macomb died at this home in Paullina Saturday afternoon, November 1st at two-fifteen o'clock.

Death ended an illness that had extended over a period of more than four years. His health was broken by an experience that he had in mistaking a jug of gasoline for a jug of water when he was assisting in the harvesting at the farm home of a son south of town. In placing the jug to his mouth to take a drink of what he thought was water, he inhaled the fumes of the gasoline that was in the jug. The result was a serious attack of pneumonia. He recovered from this but the result was that he did not regain the vigor and health he had up to that time. His decline in health was gradual but noticeable to the members of his family and friends.

He failed even more rapidly the past year and this fall his decline in health was accelerated. About a week before his death he had to take to his bed from which he did not arise. The end of his life came to him quietly and peacefully.

The passing of John S. Macomb is a matter of deep sorrow and regret to all who were fortunate enough to know him. In life he was one of those quiet, peace loving men who enjoyed the relationship of his family and the companionship of his friends. He cherished the highest ideals of manhood: Purity in thought and conduct; a deep religious faith and conviction and a strong desire to be of comfort and assistance to his fellowmen.

He was happily endowed with a cheer, sunny disposition, his presence in any company being marked by the twinkle of his eye and the pleasantness of his smile. His entire life was one which testified strongly of his abiding faith in God and in Christ, whom he professed.

In the material things of life he had been very successful. Industry, thrift, and integrity had brought the results of sufficient worldly goods to assure himself and family the comforts of life.

How beautiful are the results of such a life. How sweet to all is the memory of a life so well spent, of what great profit to the world is the influence of such manhood. unmeasurable is the inspiration of a life that is thus spent and which had for its foundations a strong faith in God and conviction of the resurrection with Christ.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the Presbyterian church at two-o'clock. Rev. Harries of Des Moines, former pastor of this church and of the deceased, officiating. Interment was at Prairie View Cemetery.

John Spires MaComb was born in Rathfriland, Down County, Ireland, August 8, 1850. When but a mere boy he gave his heart to Christ and united with the Presbyterian church in Ballyrony, Ireland.

On July 11, 1862, he was united in marriage to Eliza Jane McCauley and to this union eight children were born. They are John of Brookings, South Dakota; Mrs. Margaret McKinney of Cleghorn; Thomas of Los Angeles, California, William of Brookings, South Dakota, Mrs. Mary Davis of Sterling, Colorado, who preceded her father in death August, 1923; Mrs. Ida Oldag and Lee of Paullina, Iowa. One daughter in infancy preceded the father in death.

In the spring of 1874, he with his wife and one son, John, came to America and settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where they resided until the spring of 1878, moving to O'Brien County and residing on a farm until the spring of 1912. Since that time he and his wife have made their home in Paullina.

He and his wife united with the Presbyterian church of Paullina April 1, 1888. Mr. MaComb was installed elder of this same church May 16, 1907, which office he filled continuously until his death, which occurred Saturday, November 1, 1924 at 2:15 pm.

He has left to mourn his loss his widow, four sons, two daughters, eighteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Paullina (Iowa) Times, 6 Nov 1924, p1

John S. MaComb on FindaGrave
 

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