Combs Township

Combs Township

Combs township derives its name from Col. Howard T. Combs, son of the late Gen. Leslie Combs of Kentucky. Howard T. was county clerk of Carroll county at the first adoption of township organization, and when the court met to adopt names for the townships, on the suggestion of some friend to the court they adopted the name of Combs.

The township embraces thirty-six full sections of 640 acres each, and is bounded on the north by Ridge, on the east by DeWitt, on the south by Eugene, and on the west by Carrollton townships. The character of the land is rolling, partly timbered, but the greater portion prairie. Bijf Creek, the only stream, traverses the northern part of the township, and empties into Grand river close to the line between DeWitt and Rockford.

Stephen Parker was the first permanent settler in the township, having located in 1824. He held a warrant from the government for the southeast quarter of section 20, but sold it in 1820. Geo. Ward, the purchaser of the warrant, not taking possession of the purchase at once, Stephen Parker went on and improved it, but on demand being made by Ward, Parker gave it up. Parker's name was given to the grove in the vicinity, which it still retains.

Wm. Hill located on section 4 about 1835, Robert Gentry about 1833, A. T. Cooper, 1829, Reuben Staton, 1836, Peter Baugh, 1835, Wm. Sinnard, Hardin Simpson, James and Boley and James Walden located on section 4 about 1836, Wm. Staton, 1839, C. G. Merrill and Rudolph Thomas about 1836, Stephen Hancock of Tennessee, 1837, George Adkins, 1838. From Virginia in 1839 came David Russell, locating on section 19, due west from Parker's Grove. John Creel, the first sheriff of Carroll county, improved the farm now owned by Thomas O. Goodson, this in 1834.

Turpin Thomas erected the first mill in the township, about the year 1836, and in 1838 James Lucas left Hurricane township and located in CombSj buying the old mill and building a new one on the old site, being now known as Baum's Mill. In 1842 the father of Walter O. Squires located on section 36, being one among the early settlers. Powhattan Darr was also one of the early settlers of the township, and died about 1865. Mark Halsey, of New York, located in the spring of 1839, in what-is known as Guinea Grove. There being several persons by the name of Tom Phillips in this section, to distinguish one from the other they were nicknamed, one being called Guinea Tom Phillips, from this fact the name " Guinea Grove -' is derived.

From Uncle Stephen Hancock we gather the facts that the first marriage consummated was that of Alfred F. Cooper and Miss Mickie Gentry, by James M. Walden, justice of the peace.

The first birth was that of Minnie Gentry in 1838, to Sampson and Sallie Gentry. The first death, that of Robert Gentry, was during the year 1835, the body having been taken to Adkins graveyard in Wakanda Township for interment

The first school was taught in a log house at Parker's Grove by Henry Roy, he had about twenty pupils at 75 cents per head, and the first school house was built on the south-east quarter of the north-east quarter of section 29. It was constructed of logs and was thrown up by the neighbors in and about the Grove.

Baum's Mill is located on Big Creek on the north-east quarter of section 15, and at present is owned by Baum & Steinitsky, having been rebuilt and remodeled in 1869 by the present owners.

Some hopes were entertained at one time of building a town at the Mill, and a name, "Millford," had already been selected. But besides the Mill and one little store, no other improvements have been made.

Combs, like every other Township in the county, has its own war history. Although not so elaborate as some others, it makes up in the fiendishness of the crimes perpetrated.

Bill Anderson the Guerrilla murderer, raided the Township about the 27th of August 1864. He captured a German boy about 18 years old named Solomon Baum, who had been out buying mules for his brother .and hanged him on a tree on the south-west quarter of section 11. The boy had never taken any part in the war, and doubtless knew' but little of politics and cared less. This mattered little to the inhuman butcher Anderson and the band of outlaws who rode at his heels. Bloo(3 was the only thing that would satiate the appetite ot the monster, and little cared be whether it was the innocent or the guilty who suffered, so that blood flowed.

The same day on the north-east quarter of section 11, they shot Cyrus Lyon, - Matthews and John Henry, these latter belonging to the Militia. Lyons was at work in a well when Anderson came up, ordering him out of the well they took him close to his own door and shot him dead. Matthews was in the road in front of Lyons' house when he was shot, ®nd Henry a few rods north of Lyons' house when they killed him.

if anything, there is less extenuation to be offered for the following crirpes ^han for those already' mentioned, for the reason, that it has been and is aow contended that the institutions of the south were barbarous and fltmoralizing because of the ignorance of her people, while the north was living under the civilizing influences of a higher law than that of statutory enactment. If this position be a correct one, as many contended, what excuse can be oflered for the cold-blooded murders that were committed in the name of "loyalty to the government."

What apology is to be offered for the killing of poor old Benjamin Winfrey by the Militia, in February 1865. It appears that in that month two Militia men called at Winfrey's house in the night and represented that they had orders to take him to DeWitt. Winfrey was sick in bed at the time, but got up and clothed himself, believing that he had been sent for by Captain Morris Schnapp at DeWitt. When they got about three hundred yards east of the house, without a word of warning they shot him four times before he fell. After he fell they fired five more shots a his head as they supposed, but when the wounded man was found by his friends, it proved that the shots that were fired after he fell went through Winfrey's cap that had fallen and dropped close to his head, it being night they mistook the cap for his head. Winfrey lived four days after being wounded. He was an inoft'ensive old gentleman about fifty years of age and badly crippled with the rheumatism. Captain Schnapp hearing of the ' affair investigated the case and found it was not his men who had murdered Winfrey'. Had it been, Schnapp would have arrested them and had them tried by drum-head court martial.

Missionary Baftist.- - This organization was effected on the first Sunday in June, 1844, with John, Joseph, Willis, Emily, Polly, and Abram Rifte, John Cooley, Nancy Curl, Anna Elliott, and Mahala Cooley. Their first meeting-house was made of logs, and put up about 1841, costing but a nominal amount. Their present house is a brick, conveniently located, and of large enough dimensions to accommodate the neighborhood. The pastors who have officiated thus far are Rev. Jas. M. Goodson, Wm. C. Ligon, Geo. T..Kinnaird, W. A. Durfee, W. S. Huflj C. Bullock, G. W. Hatcher, and F. Menafee, present pastor. The Sabbath school conneqted with the church was organized in the month of April, 1868, with John F. Brandom as superintendent. There are about eight teachers and seventv-five children enrolled as members. Mr. Brandom has remained was born October 75, 1836, in Rodalben Reinfals, Germany. Son of Philip and Elizabeth Boo. His parents died when he was but thirteen years old, and he went to France and engaged in working on the railroad; while here sent for his three brothers, Joseph, Louis, and Frank. The four brothers .were engaged in this work for one year, in which time they earned money enough to pay their way to America, and landed in this country July 10, 1854, Adam Boo worked on the farm, after his arrival in America, in Ohio, Illinois, Kansas, and in 1857 removen to Carroll county, Missouri, where he has since lived, with the exception of the time he spent in the army. Mr. Boo's first purchase of land was but 20 acres. He has since bought and traded until he owns at present 140 acres of well improved land in Combs township. He was married March 30, 1865, to Miss Mary Allen, daughter of Robert and Penelope Allen. They have three children living: Minerva A., Sarah M. E., and Martha J.

John T. Brandom

was born January^ 20, 1843, in Cabell county, Virginia. Son of Thomas and Nancy M. Brandom. His father died December 31, 1872, aged 63 years; his mother still lives. Mr. Brandom was married September 19, 1867, to Miss E. A. Kinnaire, daughter of Rev. George T. Kinnaire. They are the parents of five children: Ethel, Sue Alma, Sallie M., Fannie K., and Mary L. Mr. Brandom came to Carroll county. Mo., with his parents in the spring of 1854, and has lived in the county ever since, with the exception of the time he spent in the late civil war. He owns a farm of 640 acres in Combs township, and in addition to farming pays considerable attention to stock raising, keeping the high grades of short horn cows. Mr. and Mrs. Brandom are members of the Missionary Baptist church.

James Cochran

was born April 7, 1810, in Loudon county, Virginia. Son of John and Ellen Cochran. He lived with his parents until 19 years of age, and then married Elizabeth P. Small, and in the following year emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, where he remained two years. His next move was to Marion county, Missouri. In 1844 he removed to Carroll county, locating in Combs township, and has since lived there following the occupation of a farmer. He owns a farm of 320 acres of well improved land. Mr. Cochran's wife died in the fall of 1845, leaving five children: Polly A., Jane E., Elizabeth J., John, and Alcinda. Mr. Cochran was married the following year to Mrs. Mary Mears, by whom he has six children living: Robert N., Sarah E., Alfred H., Georgie Ann, Nannie, and Mollie. Mr. Cochran and wife are members of the Christian church.

John William Staton

J. W. Staton is the son of Wm. Staton and Elizabeth PI. Staton, formerly Elizabeth H. Winneford, of Buckingham count}', Virginia. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Adair county; their children, ten in number, were all born in the same county. During the war he located in Indiana, where he remained one year, after which he located in Carroll county. During our civil commotions, the county court having confidence in his ability and integrity, appointed him a justice of the peace. He was married November 15, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Cundiff, and is the father of nine children, eight of whom are now living, namely: Wm.M., H. B., James H., George O., Charles F., John S., Mary E., and Mattie. Mr.

Staton is a farmer by profession, and when his time is not occupied by his farm he follows carpentering. In 1880 he was elected assessor of the county, but owing to the township organization coming into effect he was debarred from serving in the capacity to which his fellow citizens had elected him.

son of M. C. and Rachael J. Rupe, nee Kennedy, was born in Adair county, Kentucky, on the 10th of April, 1829. The father of Mrs. Rupe was a captain in the war of the revolution. He was appointed agent for the Cherokee nation which he held until eighty years of age, and died in his eighty-fourth year. The subject of this sketch w'as quite young when his parents died, compelling him to make his own living. He worked on a farm in summer and attended school in winter, and when far enough advanced in his studies, he taught school and read medicine. In 1860 he took a course of lectures in the New Orleans school of medicine and practiced eight years. He then attended the Cincinnati college of medicine and surgery, getting his degree in 1869, locating at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, where he remained until 1881, practicing his profession. In 1881 he came to this county and located at Shootman, and is meeting with much success. The Doctor married Serepta Simpson of Alabama, who died in May, 1876.

John F. Crane

was born January 10, 1838, in Jackson county, Indiana; son 'of George C. and Rebecca Crane. He lived with his parents until twenty-one years old, at which age he began teaching school, and continued teaching in the state of Indiana until the breaking, out of the late civil war, in which he engaged for three years. At its close he went to Pettis county, Missouri, and taught school for two years, and afterwards moved to Carroll county and purchased the farm that he now owns, in 1868. He was married in 1871 to Miss Olive Cline, formerly of Iowa. They are the parents of three children: Nora, Torrence L. and Burton M.

Noding C. Finch

was born July 23, 1823, in Washington county, Tennessee; son of Thos. and Mary Finch, natives of Tennessee. Noding left home when twentysix years old and moved to Carroll county, Missouri, where he has since lived. In the fall of 1858 he was married to Miss Sarah F. Smith. They are the parents of four children living: M. E. Tennessee, Clay, Alice and Wm. T. Mr. Finch entered his present farm of 170 acres in 1854. He is a successful farmer and stock raiser.

Rev. George T. Kinnaird

was born February 14, 1820, in Wood county, West Virginia; son of David and Lavena Kinnaird, natives of Virginia. In 1844 Mr. Kinnaird was married to Miss Susan C. Love,' of Cabell county, West Virginia, a daughter of William and Susan Love, natives of Virginia. Mr. Kinnaird moved to Carroll county, Missouri, in the fall of 1844, and in 1850 he purchased the fa^m of 280 acres upon which his family now lives. He was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1848. He died October 12, 1866, leaving five children: William L., A. J., George J., Robert C. and Eugenia A.

David M. Nowland

born May 8, 1854, in Carroll county, Mo., son of John and Elizabeth Nowland. David lived with his parents until 1874 when he was married to Miss Mattie Saunders. After his marriage he was engaged in farming until 1880. In February of that year he purchased a store at Baum's Mill, in Combs township, and is at present engaged . in the merchandising business. Mr. Nowland has two children, Curtis and Austin. He and his wife are members of the missionary Baptist church. Mr. Nowland, was elected township assessor and clerk, April 5, 1881, and is at present filling those offices.'

Thomas A. Orr

born in Pike county, 111., August 27 1843, son of Henry and Ann Orr. His father is a native of West Virginia, his mother of Illinois - both living. Thomas remained with his parents until he was married, which was December 12, 1865. He married Miss Millie J. Cook, daughter of John and Mary Cook, natives of Kentucky. Thornas moved to Carroll county Mo., in the fall of 1869 and settled on his present farm of 220 acres of well improved land. Mr. Orr has four children living - Annie B., Gertrude, Mattie and Katie. Mr. Orr and his wife are members of the M. E. church, south.

born December 11, 1816, in Orange county, Va., son of Daniel and Mary Quisenberry, natives of Virginia. In 1835 R. H. moved in company with bis parents to Saline county. Mo., and removed to Carroll county in 1844, settling on section 30 of Grand River township. In 1857 he purchased his present farm, and has since well improved it. He was first married to Miss Constantia Monroe, of Saline county, by whom he had four children, three of whom still survive - -Arthur D., Emily and Leonidas. His wife died November 20, 1852, and he was married the second time, in July, 1853, to Amarinta Cawthorn, daughter of Asa Cawthorn, one of the early settlers of Carroll county. They have seven children living - Annie E., Richard T., Martha S., Virginia E., George L., Edward H., Fredonia A. His wife died July 12, 1877. Mr. Quisenberry has been a member of the Missionary Baptist church for forty, years. He is a successful farmer and stock-raiser.

John H. Rea

born June 7, 1850, in Carroll county. Mo., son of Edmond J. Rea. He received a common school education and then .attended the state university at Columbia for two years. After completing his education he engaged in farming. In 1877 he married Miss Jennie Snider of Hannibal, Mo. His wife died May 21, 1881, leaving two children, one of whom Katie P., still survives.

Daniel Russell

born in 1802 in Cabell county. West Virginia, son of Jeffrey Russell, a native of North Carolina, who served in the revolutionary war under Gen. Lee. When but ten years old Daniel was left an orphan and lived with his brothers and sisters until he was of age, at which time he began boating in a flat-boat on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, trading in corn, potatoes and bacon as far as New Orleans. In 1829 he was married to Miss Lucy Lane, daughter of Carr Lane, of Fairfax county, Va., whose line of ancestry runs back to Sir Walter Raleigh. Her father was a soldier in the war of the revolution ; her brother, Robert Lane, was a surgeon under Gen. Jackson in the war of 1812. Edwin Lane, also a brother, was United States consul in 1857-58 at Nicaragua. After marrying, Mr. Russell began farming in Cabell county, Ky., and continued there until 1840, when he sold out and came to Carroll county. Mo., locating in Parkers' Grove, Combs township, section 29. After the duration of a few' years he sold out and purchased land in section 19 of the same township. Mr. Russell's marriage has been blessed by the birth of seven children - Audley G., Virginia, (widow of- Bartholomew Burruss,) Penelope, deceased, (Mrs* John G. Winfrey), Oliver S., Daniel D., Mary, (wife of Jefferson Walker) and Presley J. Mr. Russell died September 22, 1881, leaving many friends to mourn his loss.

Oliver S. Russell

born September 17, 1837, in Cabell county, W. Va. Son of Daniel and Lucy (Lane) Russell, who came to Carroll county. Mo., in 1839. After attending school at Carrollton, Mr. Russell went to the university at Columbia, Mo., where he pursued his studies for one year, and during the two subsequent years studied law in the office of his cousin, Francis T. Russell, a lawyer of Columbia. The breaking out of the rebellion inter- fered with Mr. Russell's practice of his legal profession, and he enlisted at Lexington in Missouri Regiment State Guards under Gen. Price. During the war he took part in engagements at Carthage, Springfield, Drywood and Lexington, and narrowly escaped capture at Blackwater. After his return he engaged for some months in teaching school. He was married December 31, 1862, to Miss Mary E. Burruss, daughter of Michael Burruss, a native of Virginia. He was for several years a clerk of the Township Board of Education, and was elected member of the board of supervisors in 1871. Mr. Russell is a Democrat in politics, and an intelligent and progressive citizen.

Walter O. Squires

born October 8, 1824, in Adair county, Kentucky. Son of John and Mary Squires. He came with his parents to Carroll county, Missouri, locating in Combs township in May, 1842, and lived with them until 1846, when he enlisted in the army and engaged in the Mexican war where he served for fourteen months. He was married January 16, 1848, to Miss Frances E. Hancock, daughter of Stephen K. Hancock, one of the oldest settlers of Combs township. After his marriage he moved upon his farm of forty acres, where he still resides, having added 560 acres of land to his first purchase. The income from the sale of his crops and stock during the year 1880 aggregated over $6,000. Mr. Squires has sixteen children living and three deceased. He and his wife are both members of the M, E. church, south.

Clay Thomas

born June 26, 1839, in Bourbon county, Kentuck}*. Son of Richard H. and Elizabeth Thomas. His parents moved to Carrol county, Missouri, in 1840. His father died when he (Clay) was twelve years old, and he remained at home with his mother until March 4, 1664, when he married Miss Alcinda Cochrane, daughter of James Cochrane. Owing to the war troubles he moved to Illinois and remained there until its close, when he returned and settled on his present homestead of 100 acres of improved land. He has eight children; F. J., James R., Elizabeth A., Ollie F., Gabrielle M., Frank D., Georgie P. and Lodge. Mr. Thomas was elected constable of Combs township April 5, 1881. He and his wife are both members of the M. E. church, south.

James Wood

born July 25, 1825, in Rutherford county, Tennessee. Son of Wm. T. and Mary Wood, His father was in the war of 1812, and died when James ,vas but five years old. He came to Missouri with his three brothers and his uncle, Matthias Glaze, and located in Carroll count}', in

1836. In 1838 he went to Buchanan county, and after remaining two years he removed to Nodaway county. He was married April 15, 1847, to Miss Margaret E. McCarty, of Nodaway county. They have nine children livingr Martin G., Joseph, Harriet V., Sarah J., Mollie, John, Elizabeth, Dora M. and Ettie. Mrs. Wood died July 22, 1881. Mr. Wood moved from Nodaway to Carroll county in October, 1865, and located the tract of land upon which he now lives.-