FLORENCE ALICE (BATER) COMBS

Florence Alice (Bater) Combs gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. February 24, 1880 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL
D. August 10, 1952 in Sandwich, DeKalb County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Henry Bater born February 14, 1830 in England; married Sarah Harris on December 31, 1867 in Lake County, IL; veteran of the Civil War (1862-1865) Company C, Illinois 96th Infantry Regiment, Private; died October 30, 1917 in Millburn, Lake County, IL; buried in Millburn Cemetery, Wadsworth, Lake County, IL
  • Mother: Sarah (Harris) Bater born April 16, 1832 in Wales; Sarah died March 3, 1905 in Millburn, Lake County, IL; buried in Millburn Cemetery, Wadsworth, Lake County, IL
  • Husband: Clinton Bond Combs born November 23, 1877 in Fort Hill, Lake County, IL, son of William T. Combs (1837-1902) and Caroline Elizabeth “Carrie” (Seeber) Combs (1843-1929) (See section pertaining to William T. Combs buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)  (See section pertaining to Caroline Elizabeth “Carrie” Combs buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery); married Florence Alice Bater on March 7, 1898; Clinton died May 28, 1953 in Waterman, DeKalb County, IL (See section pertaining to Clinton Bonds Combs buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Children:
    1. Clinton “Little C.B.” Combs born August 27, 1899; Clinton died June 11, 1902 (See section pertaining to Clinton “Little C.B.” Combs buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
    2. Infant son Combs died April 27, 1906 (See section pertaining to Infant son Combs buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
    3. Curtis Bond Combs born February 22, 1908 in Rogers Park, Cook County, IL; married Ione May Mosher (1909-1990) on January 1, 1930 in DeKalb County, IL., daughter of William Mosher (?-1908) and Lillian (Dannewitz) (Mosher) (Wertz) Reynolds (1888-1963) (NOTE: Lillian married (1) William Mosher in 1907 and he died in 1908; married (2) Charles K. Wertz (1879-1937) in 1911; married (3) Delbert Reynolds in 1941; (NOTE: Charles was born in Strausstown, PA coming to Illinois about 1915 operating a bakery in Somonauk, IL and Sandwich, IL, married Lillian Dannewitz of Somonauk about 1921, died May 22, 1937 and buried Strausstown, PA) (NOTE: Lillian and Delbert Reynolds operated the Wertz Bakery); Ione married (2) Arthur Rutledge on November 25, 1978; Curtis died May 12, 1965 in Sandwich, DeKalb County, IL; Curtis and Ione are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Sandwich, DeKalb County, IL.

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Curits Bond Combs; Address: 321 No. Main, Saindwich, DeKalb County, Illinois; Telephone: 389R2; Age in Years: 32; Date of Birth: 2-22-1908; Place of Birth: Rogers Park, Illinois, U.S.A.; Name of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Iona May Combs; Relationship of That Person: wife; Address of That Person: 321 No. Main, Sandwich, DeKalb County, Illinois; Employer’s Name: C. B & G Railroad; Place of Employment: Aurora, Kane County, Illinois; Race: White; Height: 5-7; Weight: 175; Eyes: Gray; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Light; Other obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification: Tatoo on right fore arm; Signed: Oct. 16 – 1940”

According to the Daily Chronicle (DeKalb IL) Thursday, May 13, 1965, page 2:

“CURTIS B. COMBS

   SANDWICH – Curtis B. Combs 57, 124 College Ave., died Wednesday, May 12, 1965 at the Sandwich Community Hospital.
   He was born Feb. 22, 1908 in Rogers Park, the son of Clinton B. and Florence A. Combs.  He married Ione Mae Mosher, Jan. 1, 1930 and had been employed by the C. B. & Q. Railroad in the brass finishing department for 32 years.
   Survivors include his widow; two sons, Curtis of Millington and Jerry D. of Sheridan; six grandchildren.  His parents and two brothers preceded him in death.
   Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday from the Jones Funeral Home with Rev. J. Brabner Smith officiating.  Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
   Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. today.”

  • Siblings:
    • Zera Imogene “Imogene” (Bater) Gillett born 1871 in Illinois; married Charles D. Gillett (1870-1942); Zera died 1951 in Millburn, Lake County, IL; Zera and Charles are buried in Millburn Cemetery, Wadsworth, Lake County, IL
    • Addie Jane (Bater) Kennedy born March 22, 1873 in Millburn, Lake County, IL; married Jack Kennedy; Addie died June 18, 1943 in Sandwich, DeKalb County, IL; buried in Millburn Cemetery, Wadsworth, Lake County, IL
    • Anna Gertrude (Bater) born September 8, 1881 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL; married Charles Edward Studley (1878-1957); Anna died November 11, 1946 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA; Anna and Charles are buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, Los Angeles County, CA

Additional information:

According to the 1880 U.S. Census for Walker Precinct, Platte County, NE the household members were:

“Henry Bater, age 50, husband, married, occupation: farming, born in England, parents born in England; Sarah Bater, age 35, wife, married, born in Wales, parents born in Wales; Zera Bater, age 9, daughter, born in Illinois; Addie Bater, age 6, daughter, born in Illinois; Florence Bater, age 4, daughter, born in Illinois; Anna Bater, age ¾ born in September, daughter, born in Illinois”

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for Chicago, West Town, Cook County, IL living at 1331 West Van Buren the household members were:

“Clinton B. Combs, head, born November 1876, age 23, married for two years, born in Illinois, father born in Scotland, mother born in Illinois, occupation: clerk; Florence Combs, wife, born February 1878, age 22, married 2 years, 1 child born, 1 child living, born in Illinois, father born in England, mother born in Wales; Clinton Combs, son, born August 1899, age 9/12, single, born in Illinois; William W. Combs, brother, born May 1876, age 24, single, born in Illinois, occupation: machinist”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 3928 Polk Street, the household members were:

“Clinton Combs, head, age 32, married, born in Illinois, father born in New York, mother born in Illinois, occupation: clerical – telephone; Florence A. Combs, wife, age 32, married 11 years, 3 children born, 1 child living, born in Illinois, father born in England, mother born in Wales; Curtis B. Combs, son, age 2, single, born in Illinois; Edna Colver, boarder, age 23, single, born in Ohio, parents born in Ohio, occupation: music teacher; William Dethorn, boarder, age 23, single, born in Illinois, parents born in Germany, occupation: machinist – machine shop”

According to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, 1915 Spokane, WA city directory:

“Combs Clinton B (Florence A) chf colr P T & T h S318 Post”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 6 Kostner Avenue the household members were:

“Curtis B. Combs, head, age 42, married, born in Illinois, father born in New York, mother born in Illinois, occupation: proprietor – grocery; Florence A. Combs, wife, age 42, married, born in Illinois, parents born in England, occupation: saleswoman – retail millinery; Curtis B. Combs, Jr., son, age 12, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Sandwich City, Sandwich Township, DeKalb County, IL living on Third, the household members were:

“Clinton P. Coombs (sic), head, age 57, married at age 37, born in Illinois, father born in New York, mother born in Illinois, occupation: manager – grocery; Florence Coombs, wife, age 52, married at age 32, born in Illinois, parents born in England: Curtis P. Coombs, son, age 22, single, born in Illinois, occupation: nickle plater – C B I L R”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Sandwich City, DeKalb County, IL living at 621½ E. Third St., the household members were:

“C. B. Combs, head, age 61, married, highest grade completed: H2, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935; Florence Combs, wife, age 61, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: cook – restaurant”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Sandwich City, DeKalb County, IL living at 621 East Third, the household members were:

“Clinton Combs, head, age 72, married, born in Illinois; Florence A. Combs, wife, age 70, married, born in Illinois”

According to the Daily Chronicle (De Kalb IL) Monday, August 11, 1952, page 2:

“FLORENCE ALICE COMBS

   SANDWICH – Florence Alice Combs, 72, of Sandwich, passed away Sunday afternoon, Aug. 10, 1952.  She was born March 7, 1880, the daughter of Henry and Sarah Bater, and married C. B. Combs March 7, 1898.
   She had been a resident of Sandwich for 30 years, and is survived by her husband; one son, Curtis, and two grandsons of Sandwich.  Mrs. Combs was preceded in death by two sons.
   Services will be held from the Sutherland Funeral Home Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock.  Rev. Howard Palm will officiate, and burial will be at Fort Hill Cemetery, Round Lake, Ill.  Friends may call at the funeral home.”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Wednesday, August 13, 1952, page 25:

“COMBS – Florence Eater (sic) Combs, Aug. 10, 1952, Sandwich, Ill., wife of Clinton Bond Combs, mother of Curtis B. Combs.  Funeral services Wednesday, 10:30 a. m., funeral home, Sandwich, Ill., and 1:30 p. m., at grave, Fort Hill cemetery, Lake county, Ill.”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Wednesday, August 13, 1952, page 25:

“Mrs. Clinton Combs
   Services for Mrs. Florence B. Combs, 72, of Sandwich, De Kalb county, who died in her home Sunday, will be held at 11 a. m. today in the chapel at 605 N. Main st., Sandwich.  Mrs. Combs was born in Waukegan and lived there and in Chicago for many years.  She was a former employe of the Waukegan Sun.  Her father, the late Henry Bater, was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.  She leaves her husband, Clinton, retired grocer; a son, Curtis, and two grandsons.”