A popular citizen of Farm Ridge township is he of whom this sketch is penned. He is a native of German township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred June 9, 1846, His parents, John and Mary J. (Gallagher) McCombs, were members of the agricultural class, and were noted for their sterling honesty, integrity and good citizenship generally. They likewise were natives of Fayette county, where they resided during their entire lives, respected and loved by those who knew them best. The father, who was born in 1809, died at the age of seventy-four years, in 1883, and the mother, born in 1818, departed this life in 1851. He was a Republican in his political creed, but was not an aspirant for public office, preferring to devote his whole attention to his business affairs and his little home circle. He set a worthy example to his children and his sons were thoroughly and systematically trained in correct business principles and in love of their country and their fellow men. Of his eleven children, two died when young and the others were named as follows: Margaret, Hannah, Elizabeth, Anne, George W., Mary, William, John A. and James Clark.
George W. McCombs was reared on the old homestead in the Keystone state, and was educated in the public schools of the vicinity. Believing that the west afforded greater opportunities to a young man desirous of success,, he came to LaSalle county in 1866. For one year he lived upon the Finley farm. September 11, 1866, he bought the S. P. Crouch farm, in Grand Rapids township, where he resided until 1876, when he purchased the John McCormick farm. This place, which has since been his home, comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich, productive land, excellent pastures, rivaling the celebrated blue-grass meadows of Kentucky, and a substantial house and barns, windmill, fences, fine shade-trees and orchard are among the features which render this a model country home. The thrifty owner pays special attention to the raising of high-grade live stock, and on his farm there may always be found fine Jersey cattle, Poland-China swine and Percheron and various standard horses. In all of his farming methods Mr. McCombs is progressive and practical, and the success which he has wrought out is well deserved.
Physically he is large and well proportioned, as, though he is six feet and two inches in height, he weighs two hundred and thirty pounds. In manner he is cheerful and optimistic, making the best of life and persistently looking upon the bright side of things. In several of the local offices he has served the people in an acceptable manner, and in his political creed he is a Republican. The family belongs to the Presbyterian church.
In 1870 the marriage of Mr. McCombs and Miss Martha J. Woodward was solemnized. She was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joseph Woodward, and has been a faithful helpmate, ably seconding the plans made by her husband. They became the parents of six children,, namely: Louvica A., John T., Nellie B., Maud H., Mabel, and Edward, who died when about two years of age. John T. married Anna K. Lehr, and is a well-to-do citizen of Grand Rapids township, this county.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 396-397.
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