C. R. Coombs Residence 1903

C. R. Coombs Residence 1903

Charles R. Coombs Residence on Northport Avenue, Belfast in 1903 CHARLES R. COOMBS BIOGRAPHY (includes some ancestors) Charles Coombs' father, Capt. Robert Hudson Coombs was born on Islesboro July 3, 1828 and as his father, Capt. Robert Coombs, Charles' grandfather had done, went to see at an early age. Capt. Coombs, the elder, was a native of Islesboro, where he was born, January 25, 1799. When he retired from the sea in 1830 he removed to Belfast, where he purchased a farm and settle upon it for the remainder of his life. His death occurred July 9, 1862. He had married on Christmas day 1823, Jane Gilkey, like himself a native of Islesboro born April 9, 1807; and they were the parents of 14 children, among them Robert Coombs, father of Charles Coombs At the age of nine years Charles' father worked as cook's helper in a galley and at sixteen was master of the fishing schooner "Jane," of Belfast. He commanded many vessels during his career, among which are many schooners well remembered off the coast: "Dime," "Eri," "Royal Welcome," "Tippecanoe," "Pensacola," "Fred Dyer," "Lydia Brooks;" and the brig "Russian," the barks "P. R. Hazeltine" and "Diana," and the ships "Live Oak" and "Cora." In the Civil War, Capt. Robert Coombs sailed in the "Diana," under the Hanoverian flag, from America to the United Kingdom and India. On the "Cora" he sailed around the world, most of the voyages being the Pacific when in this vessel. For twenty years his craft was away from American waters, and his log recorded many adventures. Capt. Coombs married, June 11, 1850, Harriet E. Pendleton, of Belfast, daughter of Jared Pendleton of Northport, where she was born April 13, 1831; she died June 7, 1894. They were the parents of four children: 1. Walter H., in the antique furniture business in Belfast. 2. Charles Robert, of whom follows, 3. Cora J., born September 18, 1852; wife of Alexander Leith, banker, of Scotch birth, since deceased. 4. A child, who died in infancy. Charles Robert Coombs, son of Capt. Robert Hudson Coombs and his wife, Harriet E. (Pendleton) Coombs, was born March 20, 1862, in Belfast, three months before the death of his grandfather, also in Belfast. Charles Robert Coombs attended the public schools of his birthplace. Between the age of nine and eleven, however, he went to England with his mother, as, at the time, his father was at sea. While in England he continued his schooling in the public schools and upon returning to the United States concluded his academic education in Belfast. As he had a bent for things commercial he entered the already famed Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Boston and in the month of February, 1882, returned to Belfast to take charge of the furniture and undertaking business that his father had purchased. When his father died, November 7, 1897, Mr. Coombs disposed of the furniture lines and devoted his direction exclusively to the mortuary endeavor. This he has continued to do throughout the succeeding years up to the present time (1928) and the business has grown to large proportions. It is one of the few moderately appointed funeral homes in this neighborhood and, in the 40 odd years of his management has supplied services for more than five thousand people. A Republican, as were his father and grandfather before him, Mr. Coombs is loyal to the principles of government upheld by the party and in Belfast is possessed of a considerable influence politically, which he exerts without fanfare, quietly, and always to the best interest of the community. He has held a number of public offices, including the office of Mayor; and both in and out of office has devoted time and intelligence to the problems of Belfast. For several years he was president of the Belfast Board of Trade, and is a figure in the social and fraternal life of the town. He is particularly prominent in the Masonic order, and is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 24, of which he is a Past Master; member and Past High Priest of Corinthian Chapter, number seven, Royal Arch Masons; member of King Solomon's Council, No. 1, Royal and select Masters; and Palestine Commandery, No. 14, Knights Templar, of which he is Past Commander. He is a charter member of Primrose chapter of the order of the Eastern Star, of Belfast, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Independent order of odd Fellows. In the last name organization ease held all local chairs. During the world war, although too advanced in years for service overseas, Mr. Coombs did serve tirelessly on various boards and committees in charge of the prosecution of war work from within this country, and were instrumental in the subscription of funds to the several liberty loan campaigns. In religious belief he is a Unitarian, attends the church of that denomination in Belfast and is devout in its work. A temperate man, kindly, he is of large heart; his contributions to charitable and two kindred causes of a worthy character are generous in proportion and ready in the giving, regardless of race or creed by whom the appeal is sponsored. Of him it is said by those who know his best, that he is an honorable man, a patriot, and a valuable citizen of his country, state and community. Mr. Coombs was united in marriage on September 3, 1902, in Belfast, to Helena C. Matthews, of Belfast. Mrs. Coombs was born in Cambridge Massachusetts January 11, 1872 a daughter of J. M. Matthews and Carrie M. (Couillard) Matthews, later of Belfast. J. M. Matthews was born at Warren, Maine, and was a soldier in the Civil War. He was engaged in the printing business and died at an early age. His wife was a schoolteacher and followed that vocation for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Coombs have two children: 1. Horace M., born August 20, 1910. 2. Alice, born January 6, 1912.