Combs, Henry 1892 - 1910

COMBS, TOLMAN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 3/12/2020 at 08:32:28

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 03 Feb. 1910. Elkport and Vicinity column.

"Life's dream is o'er," and he, who but a few short weeks ago seemed to be able to outdo his associates and comrades, in point of strength, is now in the silent tomb. Death placed his hand upon that rosy cheeked and healthy boy and smote him ere yet the temptations and trials of this world had blighted that young life. Such was the case in the life of Henry Combs, son of John and Catherine Combs, who was born at Elkport, Oct. 17th, 1892, and died Jan. 26th, 1910, aged 17 years, 3 months and 9 days. Our Heavenly Father knows the heart of all his children, and he found that, among those whom He had placed in that immediate vicinity, Henry was one who would be willing to go, if he knew the Master called him. "He loved to attend services in the church, and was seldom known to fail in attendance in the house of God," as his pastor, Rev. Hansel, stated, who conducted the services at the house and at the cemetery. True, he is not the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Combs but there is a heart-string which will cause the heart to ache and feel a great loneliness, for Henry's place will never be filled; his plate will be left untouched; his work will be done by the sisters and brothers, but he will, with the infant brother, be watching and waiting for you all to come to that Heavenly Land.

Farewell, brother, you have left us
For that home on high.
Never can we forget you
And tears e'er dim our eye.
But the parents and two brothers,
Hope to meet you there in Heaven,
With thy darling little brother,all we
sisters, seven.

A large circle of sympathizing friends gathered at the home where Rev. Hansel spoke words of hope and consolation from St. Matthew, and in his sermon, as well as on bended knee beseeched the Almighty Father to comfort the sorrowing ones.

A male quartette, consisting of Messrs. C. J. Rulon, Emory Ash, Edw. Wessell and Earl Rulon, with Miss Anna Wessel as organist, rendered a beautiful vocal selection, and then assisted the Elkport-Garber singers, consisting of the Misses Alma Schnepf, Anna Bals, Elsie Bahr, with Mrs. C. Diedrich Beck and Mr. E. Nuehring in singing "In the Sweet Bye and Bye," "Oh ! think of the home over there" and "Nearer my God to Thee." Interment was made in Mt. Harmony Cemetery and that which was mortal of that young life was placed in the silent tomb. Those of the family who are left to mourn his death, besides his parents, are Mrs. Floyd Tolman, of Edgewood; Edward, of Oneida; Clara, Frank, Rose, Anna, Mary, Osie and Golda at home. The pall bearers were Harry Morley, Ray Nemo, Otto Smothers, Alton Brookshier, James and Jacob Noggles.