Horace L. Wilson, M. D.. He is located at London Mills…breathed his last at the home of his son, Dr. William Wilson, in 1887…Dr. Horace L. Wilson was born in Hermon, Knox County, August 9, 1861…The lady who presides over the household economy became his wife October 25, 1887, the marriage ceremony being performed in Pontiac, Vermillion County. She bore the maiden name of Julia E. Combs, was born in Prairie City, February 18, 1867, and there grew to the age of sixteen years. In 1885 she went to Texas whither her father removed and attended the Alvarado Academy a twelvemonth, after which she returned to the North. She is cultured and refined, devoted to her home duties yet finding time to bear a part in society and benevolent work. Doctor and Mrs. Wilson have one child, a daughter, Lizzie F.

The father of Mrs. Wilson is Robert Combs, a native of Ohio, who came to this county with his parents when a child. His father, Joseph Combs, was a pioneer farmer here, but removed to Texas when Robert was nineteen years old. After his death the son returned to this State, soon afterward embarking in the livery business at Prairie City. He was also engaged to some extent in farming. He married Hannah COOK, who was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied her father, Mills, to this county in the early days…

London Mills

J. N. Combs (sic, J. M.), who has been sick for some time, died at his home southeast of town, Friday afternoon about 5 o'clock. The funeral was held Sunday at 2 o'clock at the Mount Pleasant church. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery, the Rev. H. Essex of this place officiating. Mr. Combs leaves a widow, Mrs. Mary (COWMAN) Combs, two daughters, Mrs. Ellery MILLS and Mrs. Wilbur HUMMEL, and four sons, Milton, Henry, Elmer and Bruce, and a number of Grandchildren, all of the immediate relatives living here. He had a large number of friends who, with the relatives, greatly mourn his demise. (Canton Weekly Register, Thursday, Feb. 24, 1910, submitted by Todd Walter)

John Martin Combs

John Martin Combs was born Jan. 27, 1837 in Fulton Co., Illinois. Feb. 10, 1859 he was married to Mary Catherine COWMAN. The following children were born to them: Emma Florence Combs, Milton Franklin Combs, Elmer Ellsworth Combs, David Henry Combs, Amanda Elizabeth Mills, Wilbur Gordon Combs, Irvin Bruce Combs, Myrtle May Hummel. Of these six survive. Emma Florence died in infancy and Wilbur Gordan died about 22 years ago. The surviving children all live about here. The deceased's married life brought to a close by his death covered 51 years. With the exception of 9 years during which he was in Kansas, he spent his entire life in this neighborhood. He died at his home Friday evening at 5 o'clock Feb. 18, 1910. His age was 73 years and 22 days.

Services at Midway church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Hiram Essex conducted it assisted by Rev. Stanley Ward.

Card of Taanks (sic)

We wish to thank our many friends for their kind assistance and sympathy in our sad bereavement.--Mrs. John Combs and children.

London Mills

Mrs. Mary Katherine COWMAN Combs who was born two miles east of London Mills, 74 years ago last May 7, quietly passed away at her home last Saturday, July 31, at noon. Apoplexy was the cause of her death. She had been out in the yard and feeling tired went in the house to lie down and rest. She knew that the end was near and called her granddson (sic), Earl, to her side and told him of it. She made all the arrangements for her funeral and said that she was ready to go. The living children were all at the funeral, which was held at the Midway church. Rev. Hiram Essex officiated at the service, burial was made in the adjoining cemetery. The obituary of her life is as follows:

Mary Catherine COWMAN, daughter of David and Catherine COWMAN, was born near London Mills, Ill., May 7, 1851 and departed this life at her home near London Mills, July 31, 1915, after a brief illness of but a few hours. She was united in marriage to John Martin Combs in Fulton county, Ill., February 10, 1859. To this union were born eight children. The ones left to mourn the loss of their dear mother are as follows: Elmer Ellsworth, David Henry, both of London Mills, Mandy…

London Mills

“Uncle Bobby” Combs, mention of whose serious illness was made in these columns recently, died at the “old Combs place” Sunday morning, of old age and general debility. Funeral services were held in the Methodist Church at Midway on Monday morning, the Rev. Boatman officiating. “Uncle Bobby”, as he was familiarly called, was probably the oldest settler in North Fulton and was one of the men who pitched their tents among the trees and wild grasses that waved in the breezes for hundreds of years undisturbed, and helped subdue the wilderness and convert it into what we now behold. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who pioneered Fulton County which can never be repaid. (Canton Weekly Register, Thursday, Jan. 27, 1887, submitted by Todd Walter)

William Combs died at his home northeast of London at midnight Tuesday, Jan. 2, 1900, after a long and painful illness.

The funeral services will be held in the M. E. church in London, Friday, Jan 5, at 2 p.m., Rev. J. J. Hunter officiating. Burial will take place at Midway.

Wm. Combs was born in Highland Co., Ohio in April 1825. He came to Illinois with his father, Robt. Combs, in 1835. In 1852 he went to Oregon, where he married the first time. His wife only lived a short time and left no children. In 1868 he returned to Illinois and has lived in this vicinity ever since. He was married to Miss Sarah TIMMONS in 1874, and she survives him. He also leaves three brothers: James of Oregon: C. A. of Kansas: and John of this vicinity. Two brothers and four sisters have proceeded him to the other world. They are: Mary SHREVES who died near here something like forty years ago; Elizabeth Hughbanks who died near here about thirty-five years ago; Martha Timmons, died twenty-one years ago; Doc Combs, died in Kansas sixteen years ago; and Andrew Combs who died a week or two ago in Kansas City.

Deceased has been for some time a member of the M. E. church of this place. He was an industrious, earnest man, a good neighbor, a kind husband. A good man has gone to his reward. The stricken wife has the sympathy of the entire community. (London Times, London Mills, Illinois, Jan. 5, 1900, submitted by Todd Walter)

Fern S. Combes. The funeral for Fern S. Combes, 98, a resident of Holiday Resort, will be at 10 a.m. in Charter Funerals-Emporia Chapel. The Rev. Chad Poland of First Congregational Church will conduct the service. Burial will be in Cottonwood Cemetery, west of Emporia. The family will meet friends at 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home, 501 W. Sixth Ave., Emporia, KS 66801.

Mrs. Combes, a homemaker, died Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at the Holiday Resort.

The daughter of Edd and Anna Mohr STRODE, she was born March 2, 1906, in Cuba, Ill. on Aug. 23, 1922. He died in 1976.

She grew up as a member of the United Brethren Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Nelda Swan of Emporia and Lois Barton of Ulysses; two sons, Ray Combes Jr. of Olpe and Harlan Combes of Wheatridge, Colo.; a sister, Elizabeth Doyle of Litchfield, Ariz.; 20 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and 29 great-great-grandchildren.

Three brother, six sisters, two grandsons and one great-grand-daughter died earlier. [Note: Fern Combes was the daughter of Edd Veloren & Anna Sophia (Mohr) STRODE. Anna Sophia was the daughter of John Jacob MOHR by his first marriage to Sarah Catherine KLINGER. He later married Nancy Jane (Strode) Barnes.] (unknown newspaper and date, submitted by William Adams)