My Genealogy Hound

Thomas H. Combs is a native of Perry County, Ohio, where he was born on the 6th of May, 1839, his parents being James and Mary A. (Stoker) Combs, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, John Combs, came from England, and was one of the early settlers of Hagerstown, Md. In the early history of the State he moved to Perry County, Ohio. Grandfather Stoker was a German, who first settled in Pennsylvania after coming to America, and later moved to Fairfield County, Ohio. The parents of our subject spent the most of their lives in Perry County, Ohio, and the father was an extensive farmer. He was a drummer in the Black Hawk War, and his drum is still in possession of the family. He was a Whig in politics, then a Republican, and for many years of his life was a member of the regular Baptist Church. He died at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife was a Methodist, and died when seventy-four years old. Thomas H. Combs is the fifth of their nine children, and attended the common schools in his youth. When his father died he left his property to his two eldest sons, with the understanding that they should educate and support the younger children and their mother, but the boys forgot their promise, and, at the early age of thirteen years, Thomas H. began earning his own living, working on a farm. In 1858 he emigrated to Knox County, Mo., and the following year to Sangamon County, Ill. He then returned to Ohio, and October 11, 1861, enlisted in Company D, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, U. S. A., and served a little over three years, and rose from a private to captain of his company. He was soon after transferred to Company H of the same regiment, and took part in the battles of Winchester, Port Republic and Fort Wagner. In the last named battle a charge was made after night, and all the officers of his regiment were either killed or wounded. He, as second sergeant, ordered his regiment across the ditch onto the fort, and he and another man, in the dead of night, carried the wounded of the regiment to a place of safety. In recognition of his meritorious conduct he was commissioned captain. After this he was in the battle of Deep Bottom, Va., and many minor engagements. Early in the service, while unloading goods, he injured himself for life. After receiving his discharge in Virginia he returned home, and was married, on the 28th of February, 1865, to Miss Hattie N. Shaw, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and by her became the father of these children: Tonah A., Dora B., Orpha O., Orrin P., Mary A. and Elmer C. Mr. and Mrs. Combs are members of the Methodist Church, and in his political views he is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1865 he moved from his native State to Shelby County, Ill., from there to Kansas in 1867, and to Barton County, Mo., in 1869. Although he received very poor educational advantages, he has taken great interest in educating his children, two of whom are successful teachers.