of Greene Co, Iowa
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| Combs &c. Families of Greene Co, Iowa |
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Greene County was organized from non-county area in 1851 (attached to Dallas County).
1 Jun 1858 Lewis William Coombs, Emily J
25 July 1861 Tyler, John Combes, Maty
27 Apr1862 Fleck, Cordova Combs, Martha Emaline
22 Jan 1865 Coombes, William M McKinny Matilda J
28 Oct 1872 Allstat, John J Combs, Malinda
(USGenWeb Archives Project - Greene County IA Marriages)
(History of Cherokee County, Iowa, W.S. Dunbar Publishers, Chicago,1889).
William was born in Putnam Co. IN, November 26, 1841 and is the son of Joseph and Delilah (WRIGHT) Coombs. He is the only son in a family of four children. His mother died when he was five years old, he was without mothers care until the marriage of his father to Miss Amanda WRIGHT, a cousin of his first wife. When William was twelve years old the family removed to Champaign County, Illinois where they remained for four years. They then came to Iowa and settled six miles east of Jefferson, Greene County. William grew up to the life of a farmer until he enlisted in Carroll County, Iowa in June, 1861, in Company H, under Captain ORR, and was mustered in to the service at Iowa City [Johnson Co, IA], September 28, 1861. Soon after he was sent to the front, and did gallant service until he was severely wounded. He participated in the first and second battles of Corinth, where so many boys laid down their lives. He was also at Inka and Champion Hill, being wounded at the latter place May16,1863. He was in the hottest of the fight, and received wounds in both arms, one leg, and lost the sight of one eye. He was placed in a hospital for seven months but was able to attend guard duty. [Army records indicate that he was discharged on Sept 28, 1864, at Kingston, GA, by reason of expiration of term.] Returning to Greene County, Iowa, he bought a farm and lived there until the spring of 1870, when he came to Cherokee County and entered a homestead. Mr. COOMBS was married January 22, 1865, to Miss Matilda MCKINNEY, daughter of William and Elizabeth MCKINNEY. Her mother is now the widow of Governor BEAL, of Clark County, Iowa. Mrs. COOMBS was born March 17, 1848, in the state of Iowa. They have a family of eight children living: Ida wife of Hiram JOHNSON, Etta, Libbie, Zoma, Charles, Effie, Millie and Pearl."
(Extracted by Combs Researcher Dale Larson)
DL Notes: The death certificate of Matilda Jane McKINNEY Coombs shows the date of death was Oct 26, 1919. It shows a birthplace of Oscaloosa Iowa and birthplace of father to be Ireland (both are questionable). Name of father and mother are shown as don't know.
The death certificate of William COOMBS shows the date of death as July 4, 1912. He had retired from the farm and lived in the town of Aurelia [Cherokee Co], Iowa. Both Matilda and William are buried in the Aurelia Cemetery.
There is an account of the Tenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry from the "Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, Vol.II, Des Moines, 1908).
March 29, 1906, Obituary, Jefferson Bee - Jefferson [Greene Co], Iowa
Joseph COOMBS' Career Closely Linked With the History of
Greene
County For the Past Fifty-one Years
Perhaps no citizen of Greene County of the early pioneers was better known throughout the entire county during his lifetime than Joseph COOMBS, where death occured at the house of his son David, northeast of Scranton, Monday morning at 7 o'clock, March 19, 1906. His life had been filled with intense activity. His energy knew no limit. In the early struggles and hardships that came so often to the hardy farmers who developed and improved the farms of Greene County, his experiences seemed almost the limit of human endurance. Yet through it all he toiled away, patiently accumulating each year, always met with a hearty good cheer and an open handed hospitality each visitor at his home, that made their hearthstone the watchword of good cheer to the population of the entire county. Their home was always the headquarters for the entertainment of the entire neighborhood.
We give below the complete biography of his life as published and authorized by him several years ago.
"Biography of "Joseph COOMBS, one of Greene County's worthy pioneers, came to this country with his family in April 1855; making his first home on section 34, Bristol Twp. He made the trip from Champaign County, Illinois in a covered wagon, camping by the wayside every night for five nights. They lived a camp life until August after reaching the county, then occupied a log house erected on Mr. COOMBS' land in Oct. 1856. Mr. COOMBS settled in his present home on section 32, same township. The lumber with which he built his first small house, he hauled across the prairie 40 miles. His farm contains 326 acres, part upland meadow and part timber. It is watered by the North Coon River, making it one of the best stock farms in the county. He has erected large substantial farm buildings of all kinds.
"A remarkable discovery of human remains, suppose to be those of Indians, occurred in excavating for the cellar of his residence. Nine skeletons, or parts of skeletons, were unearthed and all were of unusually large proportions. Scientists believed the remains to belong to a race of giants about nine feet in height.
"Mr. COOMBS was born in Clark County, Indiana, March 20, 1820, son of Joseph and Rachel [HERRON] Coombs, the former a native of Penn., and the latter of Kentucky. They were married in KY., and removed to Ind., in the pioneer days with their family of ten children. Two were born in Indiana. The parents died in Indiana many years ago. Our subject was reared a farmer and has made that occupation his life's work.
"For his first wife, he married Delilah WRIGHT, and to this union four children were born: Mrs. Emily J. GRAY of this Co., William M. of Cherokee Co., Mrs. Neaty TYLER of Mills Co., Mrs. Martha FLICKS, who died in this Co. Mrs. COOMBS died in Sept. 1847 and after her death Mr. COOMBS returned to Indiana and lived in Putnam Co., until he came to Greene Co.
"In 1849, he married Miss Amanda WRIGHT, daughter of Isham [Isom] WRIGHT and a cousin of his first wife. She was born in that Co. Jan 16, 1827. To this union nine children were born: Delilah died at the age of seven years; David H. resides in Jackson twp., Mrs. Malinda ALLSLOTT in Bristol Twp., Joseph A. died young; Sarah Frances, Oliver H., Willis J., are also deceased. Clinton W. and George E. are at home. Mr. COOMBS was formerly a Democrat but is now identified with the Greenback Party."
(History of Greene Co., Iowa, published 1887, Jefferson, IA. Library)
Several years ago, Mr. COOMBS sold his farm in Bristol Township and has since made his home with his children. He and his aged wife were living with their son David, a few miles northeast of Scranton at the time of his death and all that loving care could do was gladly given to ease the declining years of this good husband and father. He left at the time of his death his beloved companion, five children, fifty six grandchildren, sixty great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren to honor his memory.
The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, March 20, at his late home, the services being conducted by his late Pastor, Rev. J.C. JACOBS, of the Farlin Christian Church, of which Mr. COOMBS was a Charter-Member and had been a active Christian worker for several years. A large gathering of relatives, friends, and old time neighbors, attended the funeral and followed the remains to The Tolliver Cemetery in Bristol Township, where all that was mortal of our old friend was layed to rest.
Many stories are told of the early trials and the struggles fo the hardy pioneers, and at The Old Settlers reunions each year, 'Uncle Joe' could always be counted on to give his share of these 'yarns'. His memory was ever clear and the hearing of these early experiences as so often given by Mr. COOMBS, and others, has tended to teach the younger and rising generations, the debt of love, and gratitude they owe their forefathers for blazing the path that for many now is so much freer of the thorns and pitfalls of adversity.
Thus we close the chronicling of the life and the passing of another of Greene County's pioneers. How few there are left and how long until their summons shall come!
Peace to the memory of "Uncle Joe."
Notes: Joseph & Rachel HERRON Combs m 20 Mar 1798, Nelson Co, KY. The above Obituary and Biography were provided by Combs Researcher Barbara Lovera who adds: "My great grandfather John TYLER had 2 brothers who also married Combs women: Moses TYLER married Sarah Combs 3-8-1827 in Clark Co., IN. Allen TYLER married Mary Combs 3-7-1830 in Clark Co., IN. I haven't documented these marriages yet, they come from a cousin in IA.
Nelson COOMBS, born 1816/17, Clark Co, IN, was the s/o Joseph & Rachel HERRON Combs, who m in Nelson Co, KY, 20 Mar 1798. Nelson COOMBS applied for a Mexican War Pension on February 25, 1887, in Jefferson, Green County, Iowa. His last payment of $8.00, was made on July 4, 1891. He was dropped from the rolls on Sept. 18, 1891, because of death. Nelson COOMBS was buried in Fair Oak Cemetery, Bristol Twp, Green County, IA. According to the Iowa Genealogical Society, the date listed on his tombstone is Sept. 11, 1892.
(Combs Researcher Barbara Lovera)
From the Land Warrant Application file of Nelson COOMBS:
Camp, Mouth of Rio Grand
Sept. 8, 1846
Mr Nelson Combs a private in Capt ROBERTS' Company of the 1st Regiment
of Indiana volunteers has this day produced to me the certificate of the Surgeon
of the Surgeon of the said Regiment that he is unable to preform Military duty
in consequence of sickness. Therefore in presurance of an order from Genl. Z.
TAYLOR, Commander in Chief of the army of occupation, I do herby honorbly Discharge
him from the army of the United States.
J. W. DRAKE, Col.
1st Regt. Ind. Vol.
CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY AND DISCHARGE,
In case of a Volunteer Soldier who may be Discharged befor the expiration of
his term, in consequence of wounds received or sickness incurred in course of
service.
I Herby Certify, THAT Nelson Combs, a Private of Company A of the First
Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, is incapable of performing the dutise of a Volunteer
Soldier, for the following reasons, to wit: General debility from Bilious Fever,
and Diarrhea, incurred in the Service, And I further certify, that in the opinion
of the undersigned, the public interest requires that the said Nelson Combs
be discharged from the Volunteer Service of the United States. Given at Camp,
Mouth of the Rio Grand, Texas, this Eighth day of September, 1846.
C. W. (?) Jones, Surgeon
I certify on honor, That Nelson Combs, a private of Captain Danl. A FARLEYS Company A of the first Regiment of foot Volunteers, of the State of Indiana, aged 28 years; 5 feet 10 inches high; Dark complexion, Blue eyes, Brown hair, and by occupation a Farmer, was mustered into service of the United States at New Albany, on the 20th day of June, 1846, to serve twelve months, or for during the war with Mexico.
Danl A. FARLEY, Capt
Commanding Company A
first Regiment of Indiana foot Volunteers
HONORABLY DISCHARGED this eighth day of September 1846, at Camp Mouth of Rio Grand, Given at Mouth of the Rio Grand, this 8th day of September 1846.
J. P. Drake, Col
Commanding the Regiment
Included in Nelson COOMBS' Land Warrant application is the following letter:
Greencastle, Nov 16th 1848
Dear
Sir I herewith transmit to you Land Warrant no 13583 which was Issued in the
Name of Nelson Combs, erroneously, he has receive Two Warrants, one No
9988 of 20th of January. The mistake occured there is an application was made
to your office for his Warrant, accompanied by an affidavit, that the Sergeons
Certificate was lost, and the warrant not coming in due time, another application
was made and I procured from the Surgeon a certificate and sent to you in the
application, and you Issued upon Both applications, you will please corredt
the mistake and much obliged
Your obt. Servt.
D. A. FARLEY, Capt.
Comp A 1 regt. Indiana Vol
(Extracted and Transcribed by Combs Researcher Barbara Lovera)
To Be Continued“
Important: All Records collected for this county may not have been added here as yet. See also the Combs Research List Archives