This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: NEWCOMB, BENNETT, HUMESTON, ARNOLD Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Cl.2ADI/912 Message Board Post: S. P. Newcomb, one of the leading men of Humeston, Wayne County, and a member of the firm of A. Humeston & Co., was born in Medina County, Ohio, April 29, 1841, a son of James and Harriet (Bennett) Newcomb. S. P. was reared on a farm, his father being engaged in agricultural pursuits. He received his rudimentary education in the district schools, completing his studies at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute of Hiram, Ohio, of which James A. Garfield was the principal, taking a three years course at this institution. September 22, 1861, Mr. Newcomb enlisted in the Forty-second Ohio regiment, commanded by Colonel Garfield, and participated in the battle of Haines' Bluff, siege of Vicksburg, Champion Hills, and in the campaign after General Humphrey Marshall, beside numerous skirmishes. He was then commissioned Captain of Company H, Third Mississippi Colored Infantry, serving in that capacity till the spring of 1864, when he resigned on account of objection to stealing co! tton, assigned to many regiments in the scene of their operations, and to the general antipathy displayed toward officers of colored regiments. He then returned to Ohio, coming to Iowa in the fall of 1865, and for one year had charge of the schools of Leon, Decatur County. He then purchased a farm in Richman Township, Wayne County, where he followed farming four years, after which he taught for a time in the schools of Osceola, Iowa. He began his mercantile career at Clear Lake, Iowa, but in a year sold out his business, and came to Humeston, becoming a member of the firm of A. Humeston & Co., about a year later. This firm was established by A. Humeston & Sons in the fall of 1872, and has since been carried on by some member of the family, their store being the pioneer business place of the town. Mr. Newcomb was married in 1865 to Alice B. Humeston, daughter of Alva Humeston, and to this union were born three children-James, Alva, Charles Eugene, and one who died in infa! ncy. Mrs. Newcomb died in the winter of 1880, and in the fall of 1881, Mr. Newcomb was united in marriage to Alice F. Arnold. This union was blessed with two children-Errett L. and Harry G. Mr. Newcomb is a member of the Christian church. He belongs to Wayne Post, No. 137, G.A.R. of which he was the first commander. He is at present serving his post as surgeon. Biographical and Historical Record of Wayne and Appanoose Counties P-296 Interstate Publishing Co. Chicago 1886