James Combe (of Belfast)
James Combe (c1813-1875)
c.1813 Born in Scotland
1842 Elected associate of Inst of Civil Engineers[1]
1845 Went into business in Belfast with William Dunville, to manufacture machinery or equipment for the railways, which were expanding at the time.
Company later became James Combe and Co
Invented a machine for turning flax mechanically.
1860 James Barbour became a partner and the company became Combe Barbour
1875 Died in Belfast[2]
His son, Abram Combe, became a partner on his father's death; the firm became Combe, Barbour and Combe.