Obituaries of Combs family
 
~obituary of Joe Tom Combs:
Joseph Thomas Combs, son of Nancy J. and J.N. Combs, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, Sept 7, 1835. When six years old, his parents moved to Morgan County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood on a farm. He was married to Miss Keziah McDonald, Jan 22, 1858. To this union were born six children: Mrs Sarah Jane Davis, Joseph E. Combs, Mrs John Lower, a daughter who died in infancy, Francis Marion Combs, and Edward Melvin Combs.
In 1863, he moved to Henry County, Illinois, and in 1876 he came to Iowa, settling near Guss in Taylor County. Here he made his home until his family grew to manhood and womanhood, enduring the joys and privations of pioneer life, and suffering the loss of three of his children: Joseph, Ellen and Edward, but gaining the care and love of two of his grandchildren, Thomas Lower and Sadie K. Combs, who lived with him during their childhood as his own children, and contributed to his car when he most needed it.
In 1900, he disposed of his holdings and moved to Humeston that he might more easily care for his invalid wife to whose individual care he spent his life until her death at Beaconsfield in Sept 1910. Since then he lived with his children and grandchildren ever being privileged to spend last winter with his daughter, Mrs A.C. Davis at Westlaco, Texas, and also enjoying a visit with his son Frank at Fleming, Colorado, only a short time before his death.
He was well fitted by nature for the pioneer life. He enjoyed very robust health and liked to boast that during eight-six years of his life he had never been under the care of a physician. This he inherited from ancestors who were all long lived. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was at the surrender of Yorktown. At the age of ninety years his grandfather applied for a pension. One of his uncles lived to be ninety-nine years old. The good health of the deceased was all the more remarkable when we think of the hardships he must have endured as a soldier of the Civil War and as a pioneer.
Brother Combs was a very active Christian. Just when he was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church we do not know, but when the Guss Church was built he was one of the leaders. He was enthusiastic in religion, and whenever he had a chance he was always ready to serve.
While he lived at Gravity, he was a member of the gospel team and although growing old he was always ready to go with the team and was generally the first to speak for his Christ.
When he went to live in Texas he felt that he could best serve his Lord if he united with the church there, and instead of leaving his membership behind and being lost to the church, he transferred to the Methodist Episcopal Church South, since the church of his choice was not represented there.
The deceased was a man of great industry and owned more than two hundred acres of land and improved it well. When he was seventy-five years old he made cement blocks and built a house in Gravity doing all the work himself. He felt that it was better to wear out than to rust out.
He was generaous and kind hearted. His grandchildren loved to gather at his home and a week of a month was to them and to him too short for the revels he made for them. Unlike many old people he never complained of the noise youngsters would make but seemed to enjoy seeing them have a good time.
In the early days when most of the travel was by covered wagon, it is said that travelers would hunt for the Combs homestead for they were told that at this home they would always find a welcome. In those early days when money was scarce, many a young man received aid from Mr Combs whether they gave him security or not, or whether they were able to pay when the note came due. Many owe their start in life to him and when money was needed for the church he was always ready with his share.
He departed this life after a brief illness of intense suffering at the home of his grandson, Thomas Lower in Gravity, at the ripe old age of 88 years, 1 month and 25 days. He leaves to mourn their loss two children, Mrs A.C. Davis, of Westlaco, Texas, and Frank Combs of Fleming, Colorado. He also leaves an aged sister, Mrs Barman, of Battle Creek, Iowa, 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, besides many nieces and nephews and friends.
He was a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge for more than 60 years and always enjoyed the fellowship of his brothers. He was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge at Gravity.
The funeral service was held in the Christian Church as the Methodist Church is being repaired, and the service was conducted by Rev McNickols of the Methodist Church here. The funeral was very largely attended, the building being much too small to accommodate all who wished to hear it.
Interment was made in the Guss Cemetery in the family lot there beside his companion and other members of the family. The I.O.O.F. had charge of the services at the cemetery where the ritualistic order was carried out. Many members of the lodge at New Market were present as life long friends of the deceased. The three songs used at the funeral service were selected by the relatives as special favorites of the deceased. The floral offerings were abundant and very beautiful, the casket being literally buried under a bank of cut flowers and ferns.
His passing from earth brings sadness to many hearts who loved him. A good man has gone to his reward, and while Heaven is made richer by his going, earth is made more desolute, the influence of a useful, active life, tempered with a true brand of christianity will live after him and bear fruits for the final harvest of good deeds.
 
 


~obituary Burr Harrison Combs
In the death of Burr Combs this community loses one of its pioneer citizens, one who did much to develop this section from a raw and bleak prairie to its present productive and beautiful condition. He was a man of solid worth, upright and just in all his dealings, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He has left to his children a pricelss heritage - an honored man. Deceased has been in failing health for a long time and his death had been momentarily expected for several weeks.
Burr Harrison Combs was born in Louden County, Virginia, December 27, 1839, and died at his home near New Market, Iowa, February 25, 1918, aged 78 years, 1 month and 29 days.
When two years of age his parents moved to Morgan County, Ohio, living there until 1863, when they moved to Henry county, Illinois, where he was married to Lucretia Pointer (sic) in 1870 and came westward to make his home. They located on a farm that has been his home for 48 years. To them were born 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daughters, who grew to maturity and who have since married and settled in homes of their own. The children who survive to mourn his death are Charles, George and Ned Combs also Nellie Pullen, Lizzie Thompson and Osie McAlpin all of New Market, Loyd Combs of Mitchell, S.D., one daughter Cora Darnold having died June 19, 1908, also one step son Lee Quimby of New Market.
Death claimed his first wife, the mother of his children, January 3, 1892. He was married to his second wife, Elizabeth Quimby who survives him, January 7, 1904.
He also leaves to mourn his death 3 brothers and 1 sister. They are J.T. Combs of Gravity, Ia, Frank Combs of Spencer, S.D., C.L. Combs of Hymore, S.D., and Mrs Sam Barman of S.D., besides 30 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and a host of friends. He was esteemd by all who knew him. Mr Combs was considered up right in his dealings with his fellowmen. His death was like the passing of a land mark, which has stood the test of years of development of the country. During his last days he prayed and gave evidence of conversion and was ready for death and was anxious to depart and be at rest. The funeral was preached at Maple Grove M.E. church by Rev. Mrs. W.C. Kelley, F.M. pastor of Clarinda. The text Eclesiastes 9:5 first clause. Interment at Guss cemetery.
The pall bearers were the four sons and two grandsons, Harry and Dewey Combs.
Card of Thanks - For the many favors and kindnesses extended by neighbors and friends during the illness and death of our beloved husband and father we desire to return our sincere thanks. Mrs Elizabeth Combs and children.



FRANCIS MARION COMBS:
~ obituary of "Frank" Combs was in the New Market Herald, May 12, 1921, reprinted from the original obituary in the Spencer, SDak News.
Frank M. Combs was born in Morgan County, Ohio on May 8, 1848, and died Thursday April 28, 1921, aged 70 years, 11 months, and 20 days. In 1863, he, with his parents, moved to Illinois where they resided ten years and in 1873 moved onto a farm in Taylor County, Iowa. On Nov 14, 1875 Mr Combs was united in marriage to Miss Flory Rbelle Hixon. To this union six daughters were born: Nettie May Rogers who died at the age of 39 years, Alta Alvena Combs, who died when 7 years old. Ida Viola Young, Bessie M. Cozine, Blanche Ellen Young, and Beulah Olive Fast.
Flory Rbelle Combs passed away on Feb 6, 1910, and on the 5th day of December, 1912, Mr Combs and Mrs Marie Eighmy, of New Market, Iowa, were united in marriage. The latter survives her husband and has done much in making the last years of a useful life comfortable and pleasant.
In the fall of 1906 the family purchased and moved upon a farm three miles north of Farmer, S.D., where they resided until in 1916, when Mr Combs, having sold the farm, bought a residence in Spencer and he and wife came to this city where he spent the remainder of his days.
He was one of a family of thirteen children of whom but two brothers and one sister remain livings.

 

Combs, Frank Marion - At 3:15 this [Thursday] morning Frank M. Combs passed away at his home in Spencer [South Dakota] after an illness of over two months duration, from cancer of the liver and stomach during which time he has been a severe but patient sufferer. His natural ambition kept him up and around until the past few weeks when he became so weakened from inablility to take nourishment that he was obliged to remain confined to his home and bed. The nature of his malady was such that a cure was impossible and the skill of the best physicians has been employed to make his last days as free from suffering and as comfortable as possible.

He was a good and true husband, a devoted and loving father and an exemplary citizen, who commanded the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. His sorrowing widow and all his surviving children were at his bedside when the end came and witnessed the passing of a long and useful life - a life that has made the world better for his having lived in it.

During the five years he has resided in Spencer he has made many friends who have found him a genial and generous neighbor all that constitutes a desirable citizen.

The funeral will be held from the Baptist church in Spencer on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock after which the remains will be laid to rest in the family burial lot at Alexandria. Mrs Samuel Bowerman, sister of the deceased and Elmer Eighmy, Mrs Combs' son, are expected to arrive from New Market, Iowa today for the last sad rites.

 

Combs, Flora Arabelle Hixson - Mrs Combs died in her home northwest of Farmer [South Dakota] at 11:15 o'clock Monday evening, February 6, after an illness of but a few days, her death coming as a great surprise and a deep shock to the many friends and neighbors of the family.

Flora Arabelle Hixson was born in Stark County, Illinois, in 1858, and was 52 years, 10 months, and 12 days of age at the time of her death. When 12 years of age she moved with her parents to Taylor County, Iowa and at the age of 17 years she was united in marriage with Francis Marian Combs.

Six children were born to this union - Mrs Nettie Mae Rogers, Evalena Combs, Mrs Ida Violet Young, Mrs Bessie Myrtle Cozine, Miss Blanch Ellen Combs, Miss Buleah Olive Combs, all of whom are living except Evalena, the second child, who died at the age of seven years. The children, with the exception of Mrs Cozine, were present at the mother's bedside when the call of death came.