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William H. Combs

COMBS, NILES, PARROTT, SPANGLER

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/16/2010 at 18:04:08

WILLIAM H. COMBS

William H. Combs, proprietor of the Orchard Hill Farm on section 18, King township, Winnebago county, is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of pure blooded Shorthorn cattle. He was born in Merrill, Wisconsin, on the 18th of June, 1858, and is a son of Harrison and Elvira (Niles) Combs, natives of Pennsylvania. As early as 1854 the father went to Wisconsin, becoming one of the pioneer lumbermen of that state, where he operated a sawmill until 1873. In that year he came to Iowa and bought land in Butler county, where he improved a farm, but after operating it for four years he rented the place and returned to Wisconsin, where he again engaged in the lumber business until 1890, when we again find him on his farm in Butler county, Iowa. He continued to reside thereon until killed in a runaway in July, 1895. The mother of our subject passed away in Wisconsin on the 13th of October, 1870.

William H. Combs is indebted to the public schools of his native state for the early educational privileges he enjoyed, and later he attended a business college at Keokuk, Iowa. He remained with his father until twenty-five years of age and then rented the farm in Butler county, Iowa, which he operated for two years. At the end of that time he returned to Wisconsin and operated a sawmill in partnership with his father for three years. In November, 1891, he again came to Iowa, but this time located in Winnebago county, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 18, King township, where he now resides. He has extended the boundary of his farm until it now comprises the south half of section 18 and has given to the place the name of the Orchard Hill Farm. It is up-to-date in all its appointments and is made to yield a gratifying income as a reward for the care and labor bestowed upon it.
In January, 1884, Mr. Combs was united in marriage to Miss Geneva Parrott, who was born in Butler county, Iowa, May 19, 1857, and is a daughter of Anthony and Malinda (Spangler) Parrott, natives of Illinois. After farming in Butler county for several years Mr. Parrott removed to Sac county, this state, where he purchased land and operated a farm until his death, which occurred in 1877. His widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Combs have six children namely. Harrison K. and Anthony R. (twins), Ethel, Clyde, Robert and Richard.

The family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Combs is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His sons are also Masons. Since attaining his majority he has affiliated with the republican party and for four years has acceptably filled the office of county supervisor. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company and the Cooperative Creamery Company of Thompson and is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his community.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 438-441.


 

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