Source: Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church (1876), Obituary

WILLIAM COMSTOCK died near Liberty Mills, Indiana, December 11, 1875, aged forty-three. He was the son of Hon. John Comstock, a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Wabash County, Indiana, and brother of Rev. Thomas Comstock, of this Conference. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 2, 1832, and in June, 1836, his parents emigrated to Indiana and settled on the Eel River. Here William grew up from boyhood to manhood, and formed habits of industry which marked his course through life. The Scripture injunction, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," was his daily motto. He was converted and united with the M.E. in the summer of 1843, being then but eleven years old. In the spring of 1859 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Place, of North Manchester, Indiana. His convictions of duty were strong; he therefore entered upon a course of study preparatory to the Christian ministry as a life work. At the session of the North Indiana Conference, held April 5, 1866, he was received into the traveling connection and appointed to the Mexico Circuit, after which he filled the following appointments: Inwood Circuit, Waterloo and Auburn, Middlebury, and Albion, where he finished his work as an itinerant minister. His health failing, he found it necessary to resign his charge in October, 1871, and move with his family to his own residence, which he did shortly after. Although compelled to retire from the effective ranks on account of ill health, his soul was still fired with gospel zeal. His disease proved to be consumption, and for three years he suffered much, yet he was not heard to murmur or complain. His mind, however, continued clear and active to the last moment. So carefully and wisely had he adjusted all his temporal affairs that he left no perplexing cares to fall as an additional weight upon his sorrow-stricken companion. On Wednesday previous to his death, his devoted wife, father, mother, sisters, and other relatives being present, the Lord's Supper was administered, to his great comfort. His faith in the saving merits of Christ was unshaken to the last. He said: "Let man be abased, but Christ exalted; let the name of Jesus, who saves, be honored and magnified." But he has gone home, and the loved ones he left behind are looking forward to a happy reunion on the bright celestial shore.