Mecklenburg County NcArchives Obituaries.....McCombs, James Parks July 23, 1901 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Danielle Mozingo danisue1970@yahoo.com October 29, 2011, 9:53 pm Charlotte Observer, July 24, 1901 THE DEATH OF DR. McCOMBS. ----- A LOVED PHYSICIAN PASSES AWAY. ----- The End Came Peacefully Yesterday Afternoon at 5:45 O'Clock--A Sketch of His Life and of His 36 Years' Services as a Physician in Charlotte--A Student of the Old School and a Public Benefactor--A Man Whose Death is Mourned by the Whole Community. Dr. J. P. McCombs died at his residence on West Seventh street, at 5:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon, from the effects of a stroke of paralysis which he received while in attendance upon a patient in this city, on the morning of July 6th. It was in the performance of the tender office of his life to "make languor smile...and keep awhile one parent from the sky," that he received the stroke which resulted in his death. Dr. McCombs was taken from the residence of this patient to his own home and from that hour to the time of his death he received every care of his relatives and friends, and every attention at the hands of the physicians of the city. Every service that love and skill could render were his, but all had seen the shadow, and beyond measures resorted to for his physical relief, there was naught to do further than to pray and hope. During his eighteen days of illness he had a few lucid moments, in one of which was a happy recognition of his wife, but he could not speak. It is probable that he was aware of the solicitude the town felt about him by the flow of people to his house and it would be a sweet thought to know that he did not die "before he kent that he had githered mair luve than ony man in the glen." The watchers around his bedside yesterday morning saw that their vigil would soon be over and that his rest was near. His strength waned with the wearing of the day, and in the peace and quiet of a calm and beautiful summer evening, his brave and sympathetic heart ceased to beat. The words "Dr. McCombs is dead," were heard on the streets, and there were women's tears in hundreds of houses in Charlotte. Dr. James Parks McCombs was the second son of Joseph McCombs, an elder in the Philadelphia Presbyterian church. He was born in Crab Orchard township, 10 miles east of Charlotte, 65 years ago. His mother's maiden name was Martha Parks, and she was a cousin of the late David Parks, of this city, and also of Dr. Hall Morrison, the father of Mrs. Thomas J. Jackson. Dr. McCombs was prepared for college by Capt. Lindsay, at Rocky River, Cabarrus county, together with Captain S. B. Alexander, Colonel D. G. Maxwell, hte late John Springs Davidson and other Charlotte boys. He entered Davidson College in the freshman class with Judge Armistead Burwell, the late Frank Wilson, James Lowrie, A. Leazar, of Mooresville, and Judge Jas. D. McIver. Dr. McCombs remained at Davidson College for two years, when he was called home by sickness in his family, his mother having been attacked with typhoid fever. The late Dr. Pinckney Caldwell, father of Mrs. Ben. Guion, of Charlotte, to whose daughter, Miss Effie Guion, Dr. McCombs was married the tenderness with which the young man nursed his sick mother. "My boy," the doctor said to him, "you are a born nurse; you would make a fine doctor." These words of Dr. Caldwell fell last February, was the attending physician. Dr. Caldwell was struck with upon listening ears, and decided Dr. McCombs upon his profession. He at once began the study of medicine under Dr. Caldwell, and in the course of time went to the New York Medical College, where he finished his course. Returning from college, he located in Taylorsville to practice medicine, but had been there but a short time when the war broke out. He entered the Confederate service as assistant surgeion and was assigned to duty with Colonel Leaventhorpe's regiment, the Eleventh North Carolina Infantry. The Eleventh was in General Pettigrew's Brigade. Dr. McCombs remained with this regiment throughout the war. Returning home, he began the practice of his profession in Crab Orchard township, where he was raised. He came to Charltote in the latter part of 1865, and for 36 years had been in daily practice in Charlotte. Dr. McCombs formed a partnership with the late Dr. Robert Gibbon, which was continued to 1867. About four years ago, Dr. McCombs formed a partnership with Dr. Robert Gibbon, the son of his first partner. He leaves a wife; one brother, Mr. Adam H. McCombs; one sister, Mrs. Jane Wilson, and a number of nieces and nephews. Dr. McCombs was a useful citizen to the community outside his services as a physician. He spent liberally of his means in developing the gold mining industry, having worked a number of the largest mines in this section, including the Rudisill, Ferris, Garris and Brewer. He owned the Garris mine, which is a rich one, and which is now being worked under an option. The public, however, would scarce think of associating gold mining or other occupations with his 36 years' work as a physician in Charlotte. He was the truest type of the old school physician and his chief characteristics were an open hand and a big heart. He was a public benefactor. no citizen of Charlotte had done as much with hismoney and work for the relief of the poor as Dr. McCombs did. He kept no books. The poor got his services in most part free. In many cases not only were thanks and only pay he got or expected to get for prescriptions, but along with the prescriptions would go medicine, freely and liberally supplied. He loved his profession and he loved humanity. His mission was the relief of suffering--he put that above the fees or thoughts of reward. He had a hand as tender as a woman's and a heart that knew no malice. He will be missed. There are men here to whom the thought had never occurred that he would go before them; there are women here whose first feeling upon hearing of his death was one of utter helplessness; there are children here whose little hearts will bound no more with joy at the sound of his coming. The presence of Dr. McCombs in a sick room was always attended with cheerfulness and hope. There was a gentleness and tenderness about him that banished gloom and inspired strength and a longing to get well. He had a quick perception and could tell at a glance whether an illness was grave or of no consequence. In the former case he was prompt to act and faithful in attendance; in the latter he was prone to give a good natured lecture in place of medicine, and as a matter of fact, his lectures were in many instances more effective than medicine. In diagnosis he was skillful and rarely ever was it proved that he was mistaken. He was never a believer in the physic and whenever he gave it one might be sure that it was needed. He never deceived any one, and for that he had the absolute confidence of the people. Faithful in the owkr of easing pain and cheering the wary, the women loved him; seeing this love of their mothers, the children clung to him and were not afraid; he "kept the whiteness of his soul, and thus men o'er him wept." Dr. McCombs belonged to no Church but not because his heart was not inclined that way. His profession was his religion. It is doubtful if at any time during his practice in Charlotte he would have found occasion to sit out uninterruptedly any church service to which he might have gone. His time was not his won--it belonged to suffering humanity. Those in his confidence, however, know that it was his desire that when the time came for him to relinquish an active practice, he might crown his later years in the service of the Master. But, indeed, was he not engaged in that service always? On his record who is there that can conjecture the multitude of good marks stored up by him through his labors as the faithful physician? These thoughts come in the contemplation of a life that has been spent in good deeds--a life devoted to alleviating pain and soothing sorrows. Such was his life work, and the tears of women and the cries of children attest their grief that it is ended. At that moment when darkness fell around him and his footsteps faltered, did not some little child that loved himt ake him by the and and lead him on! We have no doubt as to the welfare of his soul. It can be said of him as Lachlan Campbell said when William MacLure was laid to rest, that when he appeared before the judge, "He will not be asking him about his professions, for the doctor's judgement has been ready long ago; and it is a good judgment, and you and I will be happy men if we get the like of it." The sadness of the thought that we will see his face no more is tempered with the knowledge that he is rid of the ills of mortal flesh and has entered into perfect repose--that he has passed into the enjoyment of that rest which is the reward of one who spent a long life tireless in the practice of good to humanity. His memory shall not pass away until all of the present generation shall have followed him. The Funeral. The funeral services over the remains of Dr. McCombs will be conducted at 6 o'clock this afternoon, from St. Peter's Episcopal church. The interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Following will be the pall-bearers: Active--Dr. M. A. Bland, George W. Bryan, D. E. Allen, Dr. R. L. Gibbon, J. A. Solomon, Chas. F. Wadsworth, C. W. Brown, W. C. Alexander, Honorary--Dr. D. O'Donoghue, Dr. R. J. Brevard, Dr. C. A. Misenheimer, Dr. John R. Irwin, Dr. Chas. Strong, Dr. Joseph Graham, Dr. S. B. Jones, Dr. J. H. McAden. All members of the Charlotte Medical Society are requested to meet at the city hall to-night at 8:30 o'clock to assist in the adoption of resolutions regarding the death of Dr. McCombs. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/mecklenburg/obits/m/mccombs2872gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ncfiles/ File size: 10.3 Kb