Alfred H. McComb Sr.
Jan. 1, 1877-Apr. 5, 1953
Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 6, 1953, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
McComb, Sr., Minister and Builder, Dies
An almost fabulous career ended her Easter Sunday when Alfred H. McComb Sr., 15 1/2 North Second street, died at Pawating Hospital at the age of 76.
During his long career, McComb was a Methodist minister, construction engineer, Army captain and food scientist.
Born in Eastmanville, in Ottawa County, Jan. 1, 1877, McComb came here in 1945 to live with his son, Alfred H. McComb Jr.
The elder McComb prepared for a life as a Methodist minister at Alma College and was graduated from the Garrett Biblical Institute of Evanston, Ill., in 1908 with a degree of doctor of divinity.
He then went to Chicago, where he built St. Stevens Church. McComb was pastor there until his retirement from the ministry because of ill health in 1915.
In 1917, McComb volunteered for duty with the Army. He was from a family of construction men, and was made a captain of engineers. The former . .[illegible] . .. Fort Custer, then known as Camp Custer. His men built 1,600 buildings, averaging 10 a day at Camp Custer.
After completion of the work at Fort Custer, McComb was placed in charge of construction of the Fox Hills receiving hospital at New York City, the largest hospital of its kind at the time.
McComb was then appointed tribal judge advocate of Camp Hum . .[illegible] . . .interested in food dehydration and held several patents on processes of food dehydration. His interest in this work led him to organize and head several food companies in and around Chicago. Among them was the General Foods Company, of which he was president.
Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, McComb went to Singapore as a representative of a food concern.
Following his return from Singapore, McComb's health broke and he came to Niles to live with his son.
Surviving are a son, Alfred Jr.; two daughters, Miss Zara McComb, and Miss Grace McComb, both of Chicago; and a sister, Mrs. Charles Wellington of Albany, Ore.
Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.