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Joseph Thomas “Joe Tom” Combs

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Joseph Thomas “Joe Tom” Combs

Birth	:	7 Sep 1835 Loudoun County, Virginia, USA
Death	:	2 Nov 1923 Gravity, Taylor County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.0532990, -95.7360992
Description	:	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... Read More	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.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Joseph Thomas “Joe Tom” Combs's memorial?
Joseph Thomas “Joe Tom” Combs's memorial is located at: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, USA.
When did Joseph Thomas “Joe Tom” Combs death?
Joseph Thomas “Joe Tom” Combs death on 2 Nov 1923 in Gravity, Taylor County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Joseph Thomas “Joe Tom” Combs's memorial?
Latitude: 39.0532990
Longitude: -95.7360992

Family Members:

Parent

Nancy Jane Brabham Combs

(1815 - 1884)

Spouse

Keziah McDonald Combs

(1836 - 1910)

Siblings

Sarah Jane Combs Petty

(1834 - 1916)

Mary Nancy Combs Davis

(1837 - 1912)

Burr Harrison Combs

(1839 - 1918)

Francis Marion “Frank” Combs

(1848 - 1921)

Cydnor L. “Cyd” Combs

(1860 - 1923)

Children

Joseph Elmer Combs

(1861 - 1892)

Seville Ellen Combs Lower

(1864 - 1887)

Francis M. Combs

(1871 - 1942)

Edward Melvin Combs

(1878 - 1886)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Mount Calvary Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0532990, -95.7360992

2. Memorial Park Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0619011, -95.7221985

3. Mount Hope Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0367393, -95.7386703

4. Saint Davids Episcopal Church Columbarium
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0369860, -95.7259480

5. Security Benefit Association Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0630989, -95.7606583

6. Topeka State Hospital Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0671005, -95.7080994

7. Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0430400, -95.7021700

8. Carnegie Hall
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0350600, -95.6999100

9. Ritchie Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0228010, -95.7027530

10. Grace Episcopal Cathedral Columbarium
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0511284, -95.6843719

11. Grace Episcopal Cathedral Sanctuary
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0506925, -95.6839273

12. Abram Burnett Burial Site
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0102997, -95.7685776

13. Mission Center Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0145493, -95.7819290

14. Prairie Home Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1077118, -95.7482910

15. Curtis Family Cemetery
North Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0792870, -95.6702270

16. West Lawn Memorial Gardens
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0518112, -95.8167419

17. Bennie Lee Graham Memorial Cemetery
Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1020584, -95.6836472

18. Foster Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9942017, -95.7061005

19. Topeka Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0388985, -95.6528015

20. Rochester Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1044006, -95.6800003

21. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Topeka, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0393982, -95.6500015

22. Elevation Cemetery
Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9832993, -95.7613983

23. Half-Day Cemetery
Elmont, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1584702, -95.7143402

24. Valencia Cemetery
Valencia, Shawnee County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0586014, -95.8806000