Combs Brothers

Among the most progressive and successful agriculturists of Calhoun county are numbered the Combs brothers, who in partnership carry on general farming and stockraising in Twin Lakes township. They are sons of William and Sarah A. Combs, the former a native of West Virginia, the latter of Ohio. For several years they made their home in Champaign county, Illinois, where the father died at the age of forty-two years, but the mother is still living and now resides with her sons in this county. William Combs was a farmer by occupation, and was a hard-working man who commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom he was brought in contact.

John Combs, the eldest brother, was born November 1, 1860, while Charles W., the younger, was born on the 7th of May, 1869, in Champaign county, Illinois. Prior to coming to Iowa they carried on general farming together in Illinois, and their business relations have been mutually profitable as well as pleasant. It was in 1899 that they removed to this state and took up their residence in Twin Lakes township, Calhoun county, where they now own four hundred acres of rich and arable land under a high state of cultivation and supplied with all the conveniences and accessories found upon a model farm of the present century. They lease land, which they operate in connection with their own farm, and raise annually about six thousand bushels of corn, besides three thousand bushels of small grain. They feed from one to two carloads of cattle per year and about one carload of hogs, usually keeping from twenty-five to thirty head of cattle upon their place, a good drove of hogs and a flock of Shropshire sheep. They are now making somewhat of a specialty of black Angus cattle. They are among the most enterprising, energetic and reliable farmers of their locality and well deserve the success that has attended their efforts. Their farm is one of the best improved and most desirable places of its size in the county, and its well tilled fields plainly indicate the careful supervision of the owners. In connection with his farming operations the younger brother owns and runs a threshing machine.

In 1886 John Combs was united in marriage with Miss Mary WRIGHT, a native of Champaign county, Illinois, and to them have been born six children, but James died at the age of four years. Those living are Harry, Sadie, Maggie, Adda and John. Charles W. Combs was married March 12, 1902, to Miss Gertrude SNOW, a native of Illinois. The brothers are both stanch supporters of the Republican party and its principles, and John is now filling the office of road supervisor in a most satisfactory manner. They are widely known and highly respected, and have made a host of warm friends since locating here.