Joseph A. Combs was born in Boyl [Boyle] Co, Kentucky, 29 October 1832 and was married in Montgomery Co., Kentucky on 2 February 1854 to Sarah Elizabeth KIRK. Four living children were listed in the 1890 application: James R. Combs, b. 1855, KY; John B. Combs, b. 1857, KY; Charles A. Combs, b. 1866, KS; Mary A. Combs, b. 1880, KS.

Joseph A. Combs enlisted on 6 April 1862 at Harrisonville [Cass Co], Missouri in "Company A, 2 Battery, Cavalry of Missouri State Militia Volunteers commanded by Captain LONG." His pension application was based on an injury received in Sedalia [Pettis Co], Missouri from being thrown from his horse. He was discharged at Benton Barracks on either 10 or 31 March 1864 [different dates appear].

Joseph A. Combs later stated in his "History of Claimant's Disability" dated 4 February 1892 that since his discharge from service he lived in Wyandotte, Wyandotte Co., Kansas until 1877. He then moved to Rooks Co., Kansas, living there until moving to Manhattan, Riley Co., KS in 1889. He died in Manhattan on 13 October 1911.

Joseph A. Combs' widow, Sarah Elizabeth (KIRK) Combs, b. July 1836, applied for a widow's pension which was later granted. She lived in Manhattan, KS for an undetermined number of years with her daughter, Mary (Combs) Manlove, and son-in-law, Charles MANLOVE. The MANLOVE'S later moved to Oklahoma. The last reference was a letter written to the Commissioner of Pensions in 1926 from her son-in-law on her behalf from Enid [Garfield Co, OK]. Her death was recorded as 3 April 1927.

State of Kentucky, Montgomery Co. In the matter of the Pension Claim of Sarah E. Combs, Widow of Joseph A. Combs, Late of Co. A 2nd Battalion Cav Mo Vol? Crtif #558042. On this 23rd day of October A.D. 1911, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for said County, duly authorized to administer oaths, Eliza Treadway aged 68 years, a resident of ________ in the county of Montgomery and State of Kentucky, whose Post Office address is RR No. 1, Mt. Sterling, Ky, well known to me to be reputable and entitiled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid case as follows, My maiden name was Eliza Combs. Joseph A. Combs, the husband of Sarah E. Combs, was my half brother and was married to Sarah Elizabeth Kirk, on the 2nd day of February 1854. I was at school on the day of the Wedding and at evening came home and was at the Reception given by Father Rodney Combs at our house that night. I have known Sarah E. Combs all these years and know her to be the lawfull wife of Joseph A. Combs and Widow of Joseph A. Combs, deceased, late of Co. A, 2nd Battalion Mo Cav, Civil War. The records of the County Clerk's Office along with the destruction of the Court House was all destroyed during the Civil War at Mt. Sterling, Ky, in consequence there being no record of the lisence of the above marriage. and further declares that she has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.

Eliza Treadway
Signature of Affiant