Civil War Vet Answers Call; Henry H. Combs, 89, died last evening; Rites Mt. Pleasant, Wednesday. Grafton (W. Va.) Sentinel. Tuesday evening, October 10, 1933.
"Henry Harrison Combs, 89, retired farmer and retired union vetran of the Civil War passed away at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Rhoda McCartney on Thornton Route No. 2, near Mount Pleasant, Monday evening at 9 o'clock. His death was due to pneumonia from which he had suffered one week.
Mr. Combs was a son of the late Charles and Pricilla (sic) Silcott Combs and was born in Hardy county, Virginia (now West Virginia) on July 5, 1844, where he was raised and in which community he lived until the outbreak of the Civil War. Answering the call of his country for volunteers to help bring back the seceding states of the south into the National sisterhood, and restore peace to the nation, he enlisted in Company E, 15th West Virginia Infantry and saw active service throughout the war.
His wife, Rhoda Combs, has been dead a good many years. He was the last of a large family of twelve children, seven brothers and four sisters having preceeded him to the grave.
Mr. Combs lived in Marion county a good many years where he engaged in farming. He had lived with his daughter at Mount Pleasant for ten years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Mount Pleasant, where he worshiped regularly when his health would permit. He was also a member of Preston County Post No. 22, Grand Army of the Republic. However, since he had lived in the Thornton section he was always on hand at 30th of May celebrations here, marching proudly with old veterans of the Civil War in their parade to and from the National Cemetery. This year Mr. Combs was unable to attend the memorial ceremonies and expressed to family and friends his deep regret at not being able to be present and participate with the thinning ranks of the men who wore the Blue.
Mr. Combs is survived by two sons and four daughters, as follows; Charles Combs, of Mt. Pleasant; Philip Combs, of Belington; Mrs. Rhoda McCartney, at whose home he died; Mrs. Minnie Shay, of Austin; Mrs. Nettie Bolyard, of Kasson, and Mrs. Etha Canfield, of Ona street, this city. He is also survived by twenty-five grandchildren and forty great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal church, with the pastor, Rev. S. A. Sampson, officiating. Burial will be made in Mount Pleasant cemetery with Barlett Funeral Home in charge."