Shelby  County  Indiana
Obituaries

The  Shelbyville  Democrat
Monday, October 25, 1926
Page 1   column 6
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FRANK  WHITCOMB
DIED  EARLY  TODAY
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Prominent Manufacturer and
Leader in Civic Affairs Suc-
cumbs to Illness
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WAS  SELF  MADE  MAN
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Arose from Small Beginning to a
Place of Prominence Locally and
in Furniture Manufacturing
Circles of County.
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          Frank Whitcomb,  vice-president of the  Davis-Birely  Table Co., a leader in civic welfare and public enterprises in Shelbyville and one of the most widely known executives of the furniture manufacturing trade in the country, died at three o'clock this morning at his home, 203 West Washington street.

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FRANK  WHITCOMB
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          Complication from the heart and kidneys caused the death of Mr. Whitcomb.  He became ill last July shortly after his return from Grand Rapis, Mich., where he attended the annual summer furniture market and where he was active in many of the undertakings connected with the market.  Since that time he had been confined to his home almost constantly.  The best of medical skill was called into the case and prominent specialists combined their efforts to restore his health.  His condition became critical several weeks ago and last week there was no hope given to the family for his recovery.  For thirty-six hours Mr. Whitcomb had been in a state of coma and his passing was peaceful and as if was entering a sleep.  Members of the family have been at his bedside throughout his illness and were with him when death came early today.
(Continued on Page Eight)
          The career of Mr. Whitcomb was one of the most interesting to which Shelbyville people can point with pride as the efforts of a self-made character in every particular.  Mr. Whitcomb was born in Shelbyville on July 4, 1866, in property that stood at Washington and West streets, part of the present site of the William S. Major hospital.  His parents were  Welton and  Josephine Whitcomb.  The schooling that he received was meagre since his assistance was needed to help with the affairs of the family.  Despite these seeming impediments, Mr. Whitcomb put his ambitions to work and how he succeeded is best shown by the prominent place he held at his death.  He acquired learning by practical appliance, his associations gave him the poise and acument that made him a leader.  He became popular as a public speaker in his circle of business and as a leader he was second to none.
          Early in life Mr. Whitcomb became interested in the furniture manufacturing business.  He began his career in the former  Conrey-Wailer-DePrez  plant and soon after connected with the Davis-Birely Table Co.  That was forty years ago and he worked through every position of the business until he reached the office of vice-president fifteen years ago.  He also held the ance the department of sales grew steadily and substantially.
          Mr. Whitcomb was not only prominent in Shelbyville and the surrounding community.  He was considered a leader in the furniture trade throughout the country.  Three years ago he was elected to the board of directors for the Grand Rapids Furniture Market Association and was re-elected to the board at the session last July.  He was undoubtedly the best known official attending the Grand Rapids show each year and his wonderful personality gave him an acquaintacne that had no limits.
          He had been a member of the board of directors for the Shelbyville Chautauqua since that organization was founded and took an active part in the annual program.  He was a charter member of the Rotary Club, was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and was affiliated with the Columbia Club in Indianapolis and the Blue River Country Club.  He had also been a member of the St. Joseph Catholic church in this city for many years and was active in the undertakings of that church.
          The marriage of Mr. Whitcomb and  Miss Margaret Straub  took place here May 8, 1890.  Four children were born and those surviving are  James Whitcomb,  of this city;  Miss Helen Whitcomb,  student in the John Herron Art Institute, and  Mrs. Paul C. Raymond,  of San Francisco, Cal.  He also leaves one sister,  Mrs. William Dunn;  two half-sisters,  Mrs. Ralph Disser  and  Mrs. George Ainsley,  and one half-brother,  William Klare,  all of this city.
        Friends are kindly asked not to send flowers.  The funeral will be at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning in the St. Joseph Catholic church, the  Rev. John C. Rager  officiating.  Burial will be in the St. Joseph cemetery in charge of Ralph J. Edwards, undertakers.  Friends may call Tuesday afternoon and evening at the late home.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelbyville  Republican
Monday, February 12, 1912
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ILLNESS  FATAL  AFTER  30  HOURS
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HARRY  H.  WHITCOMB,  ONE  OF  THE
BEST  KNOWN  BUSINESSMEN  IN  THE  COUNTY,
DIED  AS  RESULT  OF  PARALYSIS.
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PROMINENT  IN  M. E.  CIRCLES
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Was a Man of Wealth and One of the Most Highly Respected Citizens of This City.
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          After an illness of less than thirty hours, Harry H. Whitcomb, one of the most prominent business men in this city, died Sunday morning at his home in this city, shortly after nine o'clock, without having regained consciousness from a stroke of paralysis which he suffered Saturday morning about 3:30 o'clock, his entire left side being affected.
          Mr. Whitcomb was apparently in his usual good health Friday night on retiring and when he was stricken Saturday morning, Mrs. Whitcomb heard her husband suffering and she called the family physician against the wishes of Mr. Whitcomb.  He continued growing worse until he sank into unconsciousness, resulting in his death.
          The deceased was born in Columbus, Ohio, July 11, 1844, and at the time of his death was aged sixty-seven years and seven months.  When four years of age he came to Shelby county with his parents, Rev. and Mrs. David Whitcomb, the father being one of the best known ministers in that part of Ohio where he had resided.  The family located on a farm on arriving here and they continued to live there for eighteen years.  The deceased secured his education in the schools of Shelby county and later he entered Asbury University, now known as DePauw University.  He obtained his degree in 1869.  Finishing college he took up the study of law in the office of  Davis & Wright, which profession he practiced a few years, and was elected city clerk for a term of two years, after which he was appointed a gauger in the revenue service, which place he held eleven years.  He was also known as the pioneer insurance and loan man of Shelbyville, and was engaged in that business along with the business of gauger.
          He was always interested in politics, being a staunch Republican.  At the time of his death he was a trustee of DePauw University, and was always a liberal contributor to the endowment fund.
          After the election of Grover Cleveland, in 1844, Mr. Whitcomb resigned his position in the government[sic] service and became an active member of the manufacturing establishment of  Conrey-Birely, now known as the Davis-Birely Table Company.  He was secretary-treasurer of that concern for several years, until it had grown to bt[sic] the largest manufacturing concern in the city.  Eighteen months ago he resigned his position and sold his interest in the plant, and then took over the Blessing hotel property, which includes the Ray hotel and a large amount of property in that block.  This property was transferred to the Charles Davis estate a few weeks ago by Mr. Whitcomb.  He was also the promoter of the Shelbyville Trust Company, which opened for business in this city the middle of last July.
          Mr. Whitcomb was one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal church of this city and was one of the best known men in the financial circles of the Indiana Methodist Conference, which is the largest conference of that denomination in the world.  He was one of the teachers in the First M. E. church Sunday school and had charge of a class of fifty young men, whom he taught every Sunday afternoon.  Mr. Whitcomb was also a prominent Mason.

(Continued on Page 2, Colum[sic[ 5.)
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BANKS  WILL  CLOSE.
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          On account of the funeral of the late Harry Whitcomb all the banks of the city will be closed at 11 o'clock Tuesday and remain closed during the remainder of the day.

ILLNESS  FATAL  AFTER  30  HOURS
(Continued from First Page.)
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          Mr. Whitcomb was a man in the truest sense of the word.  He was a person of quiet demeanor, always willing and ready to give advice to those who sought it of him, and he was always ready to give assistance financially to the worthy poor.  He was a true Christian gentleman and it was always his one aim in life to live right in the sight of God and man.
          In February, 1875, Mr. Whitcomb married  Martha V., daughter of  John B. and Sarah (Hays) Johnson, of Morristown, in Shelby county.  To them three children have been born, of whom two died in infancy.  The surviving child is David Hays Whitcomb, who was born in this city, June 28th, 1887.
          Mr. Whitcomb left an estate valued at about $200,000, which includes life insurance in the amount of $100,000.
          Arrangements have been made to hold the funeral services at his late home at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, the Revs. J. H. Duncan, of Indianapolis;  G. M. Smith, of Evansville, and  W. G. Clinton, of this city, officiating.  Interment will be made in Forest Hill cemetery.
          The casket will be open from 7 until 9 o'clock tonight and from 9:30 until 11 o'clock Tuesday morning.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelbyville  Republican
Wednesday, September 23, 1880
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          Kissie Whitcomb, only child of  Mr. and Mrs. Harry Whitcomb,  died of scarlet fever this afternoon shortly after 2 o'clock.  The bereaved family have the sympathy of all within the ranges of acquaintanceship, in this particularly sad hour.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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