WHITCOMB, Harry H. - Putnam

Shelbyville, Ind Feb 13 – The three national banks of this city and the Shelbyville Trust Company closed their doors this morning at 11 o’clock to give the employees an opportunity to attend the funeral of Harry H. Whitcomb at the home this afternoon.  His Sunday School class from the First Methodist Church, 50 in number, attended the services in a body and many men from the factories, especially the managers of the different plants were present at the services, these men having disconnected with him in a business way for many years.

** Dr. FJ McConnell and Dr. SB Town attended the funeral of Mr. Whitcomb.  Mr. Whitcomb was a trustee of DePauw University and was one of the liberal givers to the DePauw Endowment Fund.  At a meeting of the Methodist ministers in Indianapolis Monday afternoon.  REV. Albert Hurlstone made a motion extending to the sympathy of the Methodist Minister’s Association to the widow and son of Mr., Whitcomb. A committee of three ministers was appointed to draft suitable resolutions!   ---transcribed by kbz

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.  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.  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.   ---transcribed by kbz

Shelbyville, Ind Feb 13 – The three national banks of this city and the Shelbyville Trust Company closed their doors this morning at 11 o’clock to give the employees an opportunity to attend the funeral of Harry H. Whitcomb at the home this afternoon.  His Sunday School class from the First Methodist Church, 50 in number, attended the services in a body and many men from the factories, especially the managers of the different plants were present at the services, these men having disconnected with him in a business way for many years.

** Dr. FJ McConnell and Dr. SB Town attended the funeral of Mr. Whitcomb.  Mr. Whitcomb was a trustee of DePauw University and was one of the liberal givers to the DePauw Endowment Fund.  At a meeting of the Methodist ministers in Indianapolis Monday afternoon.  REV. Albert Hurlstone made a motion extending to the sympathy of the Methodist Minister’s Association to the widow and son of Mr. Whitcomb. A committee of three ministers was appointed to draft suitable resolutions!    ---transcribed by kbz