Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Combs, 1865

John C. Combs v Emma Lewis Combs (Journal 6 p513 - 1 Nov 1865)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 10 November 2021)

 

The couple was married on 16/18 Mar 1861, Jefferson Twp, Wms Co, OH (Marriage V3 p164).  In the 1860 Brady Twp federal census, p149b, John Combs, native of Knox Co, OH, born 1833, was listed as 27 OH residing with his parents, George W and Eleanor Murphy Combs. The Combs family were members of the Quaker faith.  Emma, born 12 February 1841 in Williams Co, OH, was the daughter of Calvin and Sophia Trux Lewis, early settlers in the county as of 1840. Emily was enumerated with her parents in the 1850 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census as Emily 8 OH along with parents Alvin 49 PA, Sophia 36 PA, and siblings Charles 15 OH, Almina 10 OH, Samantha 5 OH, and Jane 4 OH. 

 

John charged that Emma, who lived in Waterloo, IN, committed adultery with John Shull and other men on 9 and 18 Aug 1864 at their home in Jefferson Twp. She had been residing in Waterloo for at least six weeks. Charles Lewis, brother of Emma, came to court and said his sister was lying prostrate at home with an illness; they lived in DeKalb Co, IN. Charles also told the court that his sister needed $50.  The couple had a three-year old child named Emory Combs, born on February 9, 1861 in Williams County, OH. A divorce was granted.  

 

John married Laura A Maynard on 31 May 1869 in Geneva, Van Buren Co, MI.  Laura (27 March 1833 Allen Co, IN – 21 March 1933, South Haven, Van Buren Co, MI) was the daughter of Ruell and Eliza Maynard. In the 1870 Geneva, Van Buren Co, MI Federal Census listed John Combs 36 OH and wife Laura 25 IN plus son Emory 8 OH. The couple is enumerated again in 1880 federal census (the same place) as John 46 OH, Laura 35 IN plus children Elinor 5 and Elias 8/12.  John died c1896-97 in Missouri.

 

Emma Lewis married Andrew Jewell on 17 November 1866 in DeKalb Co, IN.  Andrew was a CW veteran, providing service between 1861-1863 in Co I 19^th Ohio Infantry, born in 1838, Columbiana Co, OH; they were enumerated in the 1870 and 1880 federal census for Hastings, Barry Co, MI. Her son, Emory Combs,  married Alcenia Dodge in 1896 and lived in Shelby, Oceania Co, MI.  Emma died on 22 January 1916 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Barry Co, MI; Andrew died on 27 January 1918.