J. V. Coombs
J. V. Coombs was born on the farm in Boone county, Indiana. In 1867 he entered the academy,
Ladoga, Indiana. He began teaching in 1868. In 1870 he became a student at Northwestern Christian University, where he remained two years. In 1873 he entered Eureka College. After teaching several years in the public schools, in 1879 he was elected to the presidency of the Indiana Normal College, Ladoga, which position he held two years. In 1882 he graduated in the Classical department of Chicago University. In the fall of 1883 he was
elected to the chair of Literature and History in Eureka College. In 1885 he entered the lecture field and achieved much renown as a platform lecturer, filling engagements in forty States and Territories. In 1889 he became a general evangelist for the Christian church, in which calling he continues up to this date. He preached one hundred and eighty nights without the loss of one night. After a few days rest he started again and spoke one hundred
and ninety nights in succession. Thousands have been added to the church under his preaching. In the last four months he has added four hundred and fifty.
In 1888 he was married to Miss Allie Marlatt, Covington, Indiana. God has blessed them with one little girl. They now reside in Irvington, Indiana.
Source:
A History of Eureka College, St. Louis: Christian Publishing
Company, 1894.