Rev James Vincent Coombs

Rev James Vincent Coombs Birth 22 Sep 1848 Indiana Death 19 Dec 1920 Danville, Hendricks County, Indiana Burial 21 Dec 1920 Danville South Cemetery Danville, Hendricks County, Indiana, son of James Coombs and Eliza Graves,

He attended the Academy of Ladoga and the Pennsylvania School of Oratory and elocution. He graduated from Central Indiana Normal School in 1877, and the University of Chicago in 1882.

He taught school for several years, and was president of both Central Indiana Normal School and East Illinois College, Danville, Illinois.

He became a professor of history and literature at Eureka College, Eureka, Illinois, in 1883.

He was a well known lecturer and evangelist for the Discples of Christ.

J. Vincent Coombs was born in Indiana, and spent his early days on a farm in the Eel River Valley. After completing the course of study in the village of New Brunswick, he entered the Academy of Ladoga. In 1877 he graduated from the Central Indiana Normal School. In 1879 he took a course of training in the Philadelphia School of Oratory and Elocution.

He graduated from the Chicago University in 1882, completing the classic course. He entered the profession as a teacher, and, after teaching a few years in the public schools, he was elected president of the Central Indiana Normal School.

He was president of East Illinois College for two years, and in 1883 became Professor of H istory and Literature in Eureka College.

Professor Coombs is the author of five books on educational subjects. But it is in the lecture field that he has won his greatest fame. He entered the lecture field in 1886, and has visited every State in the Union. Having been a teacher, he is exceedingly popular with educators, and has many engagements with colleges and institutes.

Having crossed the continent eight times, he has a national reputation, and last year could not fill half of the calls made upon him. A scholar and an orator; his lectures are keen, clear, witty and eloquent. Professor Coombs as a speaker is always entertaining, and at his will carries his audience from tears to laughter.

Works

School Management and Methods of Instruction, with George W. Hoenshel (Indianapolis, Indiana: 1883)

English Pronunciation (Indianapolis, Indiana: 1886)

The Gospel Call, with S. S. Jones & J. T. Reese (Lafayette, Indiana: Echo Music, 1890)

The Gospel Call, with William E. M. Hackleman (St. Louis, Missouri: Christian Publishing, 1895)

Silver and Gold No. 1, with William E. M. Hackleman (Indianapolis, Indiana: Hackleman Music, 1898)

Sing His Praise, with William E. M. Hackleman (Indianapolis, Indiana: Hackleman Music, 1902)

Religious Delusions; a Psychic Study (Cincinnati, Ohio: 1904)

Christian Evangelism (Cincinnati, Ohio: 1907)

The Christ of the Church (Cincinnati, Ohio: 1916)

Campaigning Cor Christ

Lyrics

Be Not Discouraged

Bless the Lord

Come Home Tonight

Follow Me

Happy Children

In a Dreary Land I Wander

In the Dawning of That Day Not Far Away

Lord Has Saved Me from My Sins, The

We Come This Sacred Day

Wonderful Savior of Love, The

From the Republican for Thursday, Dec. 23, 1920

Rev. J. Vincent Coombs is Called to Long Home

Well Known Lecturer and Evangelist of Christian Church

The Rev. J. Vincent Coombs died Sunday at his home on South Washington street after a second stroke of paralysis.

The funeral was Tuesday afternoon from his late home, conducted by Rev. Lappen, of Bedford, with burial in the South cemetery.

Mr. Coombs was a prominent evangelist in the Christian church and was equally well known on the Chautauqua and lyceum platform. He was an incessant worker. Some indication of this is shown by the fact that he had appeared 80 days in succession upon the platform without the loss of an engagement, 192 nights in succession, 352 times in one year. He had spoken 100 times each in twenty states. He had addressed over 5,000 different audiences. He had spoken in every state of the union.

His age was 73. He was born in Boone county and attended the Central Normal College when it was at Ladoga. He took a two year course in elocution and oratory in Philadelphia. In 1882 he graduated from the University of Chicago. He taught five years in the public schools, was for one year professor of history in Eureka College in Kansas. He was president of the Indiana State Normal for two years and was also president of the Eastern Illinois Normal

College.

He was the author of ten books but he is best known as a lecturer and minister.

He was of cheery disposition and the line of his lectures is shown by these subjects - "Waste of Mind and Money", "Strange Things and Funny People", "Fun and Frolic in the Backwoods", "Delusions", and "The California Earthquake as I Saw, Heard and Felt It".

His work calling him from Danville so much, he was not in close touch with this people but those fortunate to know him rejoiced in the warmth of his greeting and firm friendship.

He is survived by Mrs. Coombs and a daughter.

married 24 Dec 1888 Fountain County, Indiana Allie D. Marlatt Birth 23 Dec 1865 Indiana Death 25 Jul 1945 Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana Burial Jul 27, 1945 Danville South Cemetery Danville, Hendricks County, Indiana, daughter of Thomas J. Marlatt and Mary Dale

Mrs. Allie D. Coombs Dies

Funeral services for Mrs. Allie D. Coombs, a former resident, who died last night in Indianapolis, will be held at the Campbell Funeral Home, Friday morning at 11, with burial in the South cemetery.

Mrs. Coombs had suffered a stroke sometime ago, and was being cared for at the Shady Rest, in Indianapolis.

She is the widow of the late Rev. J. V. Coombs, evangelist, and the mother of Miss Veda Coombs, a former Danville teacher now of Brooklyn.

The family home was located on the ground that is now used for the playground of the Center township school.

Mrs. Coombs was a member of the Christian church, and active in church and club work while living here.

The family left Danville about twenty years ago. - Republican for July 26, 1945

Child: Veda Coombs birth 17 May 1893 Bethany, Park County, Indiana Death 4 Mar 1965 Miami-Dade County, Florida Burial Danville South Cemetery Danville, Hendricks County, Indiana,