COMBS REUNION 1897
THE BLOOMFIELD NEWS, Bloomfield, Greene County, Indiana,
Friday November 19, 1897,
Volume XXI, Number 51, Page 3, Columns 4, 5, & 6,
"COMBS REUNION. AN EXTENSIVE FAMILY REUNION IN TAYLOR TOWNSHIP.
The most extensive social feature which has occurred here for years was that of Sept. 30, 1897, when the immediate relatives, friends and neighbors gathered at the old residence to enjoy a day of reunion with the COMBS family.
The reunion brought out some facts which are seldom found in connection with family history, also many interest points which can not be mentioned in the space of this article, but I hope to give in a very brief, connected way, points of the family history from 1800 to the present time.
William COMBS was born January 5, 1802, in Wilkes county, N. C. Asenath ELLIS was born in Rowan county, N. C. August 8, 1800. These became husband and wife January 10, 1822, and lived in Wilkes county, N. C., until 1833. To this union was born in “The Old North State,” the following children: Joel E., November 11, 1822; Jabez J., December 7, 1824; Adoniram P., May 2, 1827; Nancy L., July 27, 1829, and died October 29, 1830; Martha K., August 23, 1831. In 1833 they emigrated to Rush county, Indiana, making the trip in forty days. Asenath’s brother, Evan ELLIS, and his family came in company with them. Ten—five in each family—had measles while on the journey, but they were westward bound and kept moving, enjoying the comforts of camp life, except one night when they “lodged” with a family on the Indiana side. They lived on a rented farm in Rush county until January 1837. While here Mary A., January 18, 1834 and Eli S., October 30, 1836, were born. Then removed to Hancock county until April, 1839, then moved to Greene county in 1839.
In 1843 the house which still stands and is the home of Martha and Eli, was erected. Not far from where the house now stands Wm. H., the eighth and last child first saw the light on June 25, 1840.
Wm. COMBSÂ’ home thus established in the wilderness, was home, and enjoyed the scenes and incidents, such as were common to pioneer life of that time, felling the forest, taking wild game, candy pulling, boarding the schoolmaster, etc. September 9, 1839, death entered the home for the second time and claimed the husband and father, leaving the mother to follow him, but not until October 19, 1880, was she called by the summons of death.
Log rolling, wood chopping, house raisings, etc., were common to every neighborhood in pioneer days. Fun and facts ran high on such days. On one such day the question was raised what name should be applied to this ridge. Many names were suggested, among them “Mechanic’s Ridge,” because of so many artisans of various crafts living here. This with many others was rejected. At the suggestion of Joel COMBS “Taylor Ridge” was discussed and adopted in honor of Mr. TAYLOR, an early settler and land owner. So this has since and doubtless will be known as Taylor Ridge.
As the children became of age they “settle off,” and just here a brief biography of each will be of interest:
Joel E. COMBS was married to Minerva FAUCETT, September 14, 1843. To them were born six sons and four daughters, five of whom, four sons and one daughter, are still living. From 1843 to 1861 they resided in Taylor and Richland townships. In 1861 they moved to Stafford township where he has since lived, his wife having died September 12, 1891. For twelve years Joel followed blacksmithing, since which time he has lived on and tilled the farm. His present residence is located on a farm of 118.5 acres one mile south of Island City. The land is underlaid with a vein of bituminous coal which has been worked to good profit. In politics he has always been a Republican, having served Taylor township twelve years as trustee. Has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church since 1844 with membership at Linton congregation. At seventy-four years of age he is hale and hearty, having enjoyed good health all his life.
Jabez J. COMBS took unto himself a wife in the person of Sarah WHITAKER on November 4, 1849. Twelve children, six boys and six girls, came to brighten their home, only one of whom, a daughter, has deceased. He began life as a blacksmith at Scotland where he served the trade about eight years. In 1861, he moved to Christian county, Illinois residing there four years, then moved to Macon county, Illinois, where he has resided ever since. His life is that of a farmer and owns property in the town of Macon. He joined the Missionary Baptist Church in 1848 and has remained a loyal supporter of that body. His life has been one of even tenor, quiet and well respected by all who know him best.
Adoniram P. COMBS and Mary A. KENNEDY joined heart and hand for life’s future on October 5, 1854. Ten children—six sons and four daughters, two sons and one daughter of whom still live—were born to this union. He settled on the land owned by Elizabeth, Dr. COMBS’ widow, living there four years, when in September, 158, he moved to Christian county, Illinois. After seven years he moved to Macon county, Illinois. Three years later he removed to Hancock county, Indiana, where he now resides. His farm of eight acres lies in the gas belt and his fuel and light are supplied from a well near his residence. He is a stockholder in the little gusher. He suffered the loss of his wife who died May 29, 1883. He was again married May 1, 1886 to Rachel ROSS. He served some years at the carpenter’s trade, but otherwise has followed farming. He is a fine marksman, having in early life had many and varied experiences in the woods as a hunter. His hair and beard are white as the driven snow but he still enjoys an occasional hunt, and while attending the reunion went out with the boys for a hunt over the hills so familiar year ago. He joined the Missionary Baptist Church forty-nine year ago but has since become a member of the Christian Church. He votes the Republican ticket.
Martha K. COMBS has lived on the present farm since she first arrived in Greene county and owns twenty acres on which stands the old homestead. She never has chosen to become a married woman, but has taken great pride in making home a comfort to her parents so long as they lived, and for years has made home life comfortable for Eli. While the boys were in the army she was the stay of the home. Twelve years of age she cooked in a board shanty for the hands while they built the house. She had the care of AdoniramÂ’s children and schooled them for two and one-half years, and Charles, the present deputy auditor, grew up at her knee. The little chair upon which he sat and learned his first lesson is still there and is frequently used by Master Earl. The grape-vine swings of her girlhood days are all gone but their memory never fades. Some of those who swung with her are still remembered by her, they have lived for years in far away Texas and other States. She was loyal to the Sunday school cause and always had a class to teach. She was a pedagogue at thirty years of age. Her life has been one of quiet, full of good deeds, many poor and needy being helped and made comfortable by her open hand.
Mary A. COMBS married Phillip MILLER December 19, 1854. Two sons and one daughter of the three sons and three daughters born to this happy union are still living. They settled in the northern part of Daviess county where they lived eleven years. Mr. MILLER entered the army of the union as a volunteer, serving seven months and two days when he died at LaGrange, Tenn. After his death Mary moved back home. She married the second time to Thomas DOBBINS September 8, 1874, after which she became the mother of one son and one daughter. When a girl at home she frequently joined A. P. in his mischievous pranks and fun making. She is vigorous and has not lost much of the jollies of life with the wear of years.
Eli S. COMBS enjoys life on the old homestead. When a young man he had his fun and gay hours with the young people, enriching those occasions with his wit and humor, but over the experiences which have their culmination at the hymeneal alter he never was enthusiastic to the finish. He entered the union army as a volunteer and served three years under Captain BEATY and Treasurer BROWN. He was at Fort Donalson, through Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia. With the exception of eight months which he spent running a peddling wagon out from Bloomington he has been on the farm. He was elected on the Republican ticket in 1894 as trustee of Taylor township and will hold this office until 1900. Is a member of no Church but has always been a faithful Sunday school worker.
November 20, 1869 was the day when William H. COMBS and Belle FAUCETT became husband and wife. Of their eleven children only two, one son and one daughter, are dead. They settled near where now stands their spacious residence. He served seventeen months in the THIRTY-FIRST INDIANA VOLUNTEERS, returning home on account of ill health. He witnessed some of warÂ’s scenes at Shiloh and Fort Donalson. After returning from the army and finding the estate in debt he worked one summer in Illinois to life the debt. He was successful in this and continued effort has placed him and Eli the owners of 520 acres of land. Mr. COMBS is quite a political engineer and takes great interest in Republican campaigns. His home is always open to friend and stranger and is the scene of many social gatherings in which he always takes great delight. The young as well as the old are his enjoyment. Stock raising and farming claims his undivided attention. He is a member of the Christian Church and always supports all good causes, being liberal with his means.
From the foregoing may be seen the extent of territory which was represented at the reunion proper. Forty years had elapsed since all the seven living children had been together at one time and place. On this occasion vehicles began to drive in from all directions. Baskets well filled with good things to eat were opened and contents arranged on a long table where everyone present lingered long and had the physical man well satisfied. At one end sat the five boys in order of age and on the opposite side the two girls sat eating so near the old dining room where more than forty years had elapsed since they had dined together, and, perhaps, for the last time to all dine together here on earth. Dinner over, the photographer got in his work, after which social chat went the merry round until some one started out on that familiar song “My Old Cottage Home,” in which every one joined either in song or feeling, and as the song rolled on the tear which comes at memory’s vivid call, stood in every eye present. Kerchief after kerchief passed silently to brush away the falling tears. Strong young men, children, maidens and sage alike felt at home had or would be broken and loved ones separated. The words of the song had scarcely died away, when “Beyond the Dark Sea” was lifted into song. Those who were there will never forget this closing song and parting of loved ones.
But three deaths have occurred in the family since 1800.
The names of those present are given below: Joel E. COMBS, Sarah COMBS, Mamie COMBS, Rachel COMBS, Eli S. COMBS, Belle COMBS, Isadora COMBS, Dale COMBS, Nellie COMBS, Oliver P. COMBS, Mary A. COMBS, John L. COMBS, Mollie CRABB, Helen CRABB, Minnie CRABB, Thomas DOBBINS, Mortin DOBBINS, Lottie F. DeVILBISS, Sarah FULK, Minerva FIELDS, Walter HAYS, John MILLER, Adeline MILLER, Harvey MILLER, Byron McDONALD, Nellie McDONALD, Arthur McDONALD, Henry PEARSON, Emeline PRICE, Edward PRICE, Margie RUTH, Otta SEXSON, Thomas SHARPLESS, Jabez COMBS, Edward COMBS, Pearl COMBS, A. P. COMBS, Martha K. COMBS, Wm. H. COMBS, Charles E. COMBS, Earl COMBS, James E. COMBS, Hobart COMBS, Emma E. COMBS, Carrie E. COMBS, George CRABB, Leland CRABB, Joseph CRABB, Mrs. CLEMMENS, Mary A. DOBBINS, John DeVILBISS, Rev. M. C. FULK, Ariah FIELDS, Margarette HAYS, Mary HAYS, Lula MILLER, Mable MILLER, Alice McDONALD, Brantly McDONALD, Conny McDONALD, Carl McDONALD, Landon PRICE, Joseph PRICE, John RUTH, H. W. REYNOLDS, Mary SEXSON, Mrs. SHARPLESS.
H. W. REYNOLDS
November 13, 1897.
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