Combs Cemetery

Combs Cemetery is located in Section 14 of Rosefield Township.

HISTORY

Taken from a HISTORY OF SOME PEORIA COUNTIES CEMETERIES, written for a College Thesis in 1936 by an unknown person. Copied by
Margaret Herberger in 1956. Condensed from the article as published in the Prairie Roots, Summer 1978.

     The Combs Cemetery is located on the western slope of a double knoll overlooking Kickapoo Creek. (N.W. 1/4 Sec. 14, Rosefield Twp.) It is so far removed from the hard road that the sounds of traffic do not disturb the serenity of the scene. Three magnificent White OaJc trees spread their shade over the graves and tall dark cedars add a touch of solemnity to the tranquil setting. Land for the cemetery was donated by John COMBS, the first Supervisor, in 1850 and grew up around "Combs Meeting House," the first Methodist Church in Rosefield Twp., established in 1837.

     According to Ephraim YINGER of Hanna City, who is 84 years old, the only surviving member of the early Church membership, the Church stood approximately at the present gateway to the cemetery and faced south. It was subsequently removed to Cottonwood and the cemetery was then neglected. Tombstones fell over and the plot became a tangled mass of weed and vines.

     In 1929 the Methodist Conference appointed Edward SIEGEL of Edwards Station a committee of one to stimulate interest in restoring the cemetery. The effort was quite successful and as a result the cemetery was cleaned up, restored, and enclosed by a new fence.

     On June 20, 1937, a meeting was held at the cemetery and plans to incorporate were formulated. The cemetery is still in use and there have been burials there during the 1970s.

PHOTO GALLERY

BURIAL LIST....

Copied August 25, 1972 by Diane Kinney, Becky Schultz and Virginia Schultz.

JOHNSON Inf Son Norman R., 1915
    John C., 1867 - 1941
    Louisa J., W/J.C. 1870 - 1960

BOWEN William G., 1908 - 1956
    Ollie B., 1906 - 1962

SACKS Hans C., 1908 - 1971
    Carl J., 1906 - 1957
    Albert, 1911 - 1928
        Hilda, 1873 - 1916
Ernest, 1873 - 19—

REENTS Henry J., 1873 - 1947
    Amelia M., w/H.J. 1877 - 1953

RYNEARSON Thomas J. d. April 30, 1877 Age 37/3/2
    Winney d. April 19, 1885 Age 73/-/-
    Sarah, w/W. d. April 20 or 28, 1888 Age 77/2/23

2 Foot stones

RYNEARSON E.G. d. Nov 29, 1877 Age 68/8/5
    A father kind, a husband dear, lies buried here. We will think of him while on earth we stay and hope to meet a better day.
    Kizziah, w/E. C., Jan 9, 1817 May 3, 1901
    We miss thee dear mother, thy fond and earnest care, our home is dark without thee, we miss thee everywhere.
    MARIA, dau/E. C. & K., d. 8/17/1865 Age 18/6/2

ANDERSON Charles, 1885 - 1951
    Nona B., 1886 - 1964

MILLER Stephen, 1867 - 1894
    Oscar, 1888 - 1889

REENTS Mildred A., 1912 - 1966

EHENS Anna Sophia, w/Seabo J. 1882 - 1955

ANDERSON Betty A., 1910 - 1962
    Raymond, h/B.A. 1905 - 1970

two foot stones

RYNEARSON Henry H., May 18, 1850 - May 3, 1933
    C. S., Jan 2, 1806 - Oct 9, 1878
    Lavisa, w/C. S. Aug 10, 1821 - Sep 29, 1906
    Maria, Apr 6, 1867 - Dec 29, 1882
    George, Mar 21, 1865 - Oct 29, 1890

PATTON George E. w/G. I. & E., Aug 17, 1902 - May 25,1903
    George I., 1873 - 1935
    Elizabeth I. MITCHELL, w/G. I., 1875 - 1916
    Bernice V., 1912 - 1929

Very old stone, could be child, not readable

Foot stone

New grave - no marker

KIENBUSCH David, July 3, 1855 - no death date
    Mary A., w/D. Aug 19, 1860 - Oct 25, 1911

KERSHAW Anna B., Oct 28, 1901 - Jan 29, 1904

KIENBUSCH Paul A., Dec 27, 1882 - Jan 24, 1901
    Joseph, Jan 8, 1889 - Oct 29, 1914
    Josephine, Sep 28, 1881 - Oct 14, 1881

RYNEARSON Dennis E. Jan 24, 1952 - Oct 26, 1971
    Michael Eric, Jul 1 - 11, 1957

Very old foot stone

LAFOLLETT Roger Lee, Aug 26, 1947 - Jul 3, 1960

PERRY Edward A., May 4, 1947 - Dec 23, 1966 Flag on grave

2 foot stones

SLANE Daniel, b. Aug 15, 1804 Hamshire Co, Va. d. Feb 21, 1884
Foot stone

SPEAR Ruth, Aug 26, 1900 - Mar 21, 1901

DOUBET William, March 1866 - Nov 7, 1879

COMBS John, Dec 19, 1798 - Dec 22, 1874 Age 76/-/2
    Mary, w/John, Jr. d. Mar 31, 1847 Age 39/1/1
    Mary, w/John, Sr. d. Oct 3, 1843 about 65 yrs

MOHLER Samuel E., s/E. I. & M. d. Aug 3, 1852 Age 3/1/9

HENNING Charles C., 1877 - 1957

2 graves - no markers

CLARKSON Joseph J. Apr 23, 1865 - Dec 17, 1918 (Brother)

Grave - no marker

NIXON Mary C., w/Wm. (Stone in ground & broken, could not move.)
    William, d. Feb 12, 1859 Age 61/10/21
    Mary, d/W.& M. d. Mar 28, 1844 Age 7/ 2/24

SNYDER Flora A., d/L.& C. d. Apr 3, 1848 Age I/ 2/6
    William N. D., s/Louis & Charlotte d, Apr 20, 1849 Age 5/ 5/23
    Orin N., S/L.& C., d. Apr 3, 1846 Age -/ 5/22

GUDTNER Mary, Magdalene?, d/D.& S. J. d. Jul 12, 1849 Age 1/2/4

VANARSDALL Edgar, S/J.& E. d. Mar 20, 1853 Age 1/11/22
    Frances I., dau/J.& E.,d.0ct 9, 1849 Age I/ 9/-

Stone - no names

NIXON Byrtilia Ann, dau/A.& A. d. Dec 21, 1871 Age 18/1/3
    John, d. Jan 5, 1856
    William B., b. Mar 11, 1859 Age 2/-/-
    -------t /A. & A. d. Sep 6, 1867 Age 20/9/1

YOUNG William I., s/Wm.& E., d. Sep 19, 1849 Age 1/5/13

BLACKARD Orien, 1908 - 1963

CROOK Alexander, d. Feb 10, 1856 Age 71/ 4/4

BROWN Floyd F. 1910 - 1954
    Minnie L. 1900 - 19—

GILLHAM James, Jr. d. Jul 15, 1951 Age -/-/3
    George L., Sep 6, 1834 Jan 3, 1936

GILLHAM (CON)
    Home made stone - very hard to read
    Frank A., Mar 16, ---- d. Apr 18, 193-
    Home made stone - very hard to read

SLANE Walter S., 1893 - 1959
    Dora A., 1897 - 19—
    Raymond, son 1924 - 1939
    Leroy, son 1929 - 1929

GOODWIN Charles, 1853 - 1943
    Sarah E., 1859 - 1943

HOGUE Vernon L., Mar. 14, 1917 - Aug. 6, 1962 Flag on Grave

HOGUE, Roy Jun. 26, 1944 - Sept. 28, 1993 (2 stones)

HOGUE, Donald L. May 24, 1939 - Oct. 18, 1986

HUMPHREY, Frances A. 1938 - 1987
     Michael 1942 - blank

Foot Stone C. E. V.

ANTINORI (?) F., Oct 1910 - May 1912

26 Foot stones against tree
    A. S. V.
    C. N.
    W. E. Y.
    S . E. M.

VANARSDALL James, Apr 25, 1882 Age -9/8/23
    Catherine, w/J., d. Dec 26, 1893 Age 66/1/1

SEARLE William, 1875 - 1967
Flora E., 1880 - 1966

ATTER (?) Ellas, d. Feb 28, 1848

2 Foot stones

STEGENS George W., Pvt. 910 Eng. Co. A. F. WWII Aug 28, 1904 - Nov 17, 1969
    William H., 1881 - 19—
    Saura E., w/W. H 1888 - 1918
    Walter L., son, 1914 - 1916

Grave - no name - child

SLANE Ann, 1869 - 1899
    Edward S., 1864 - 1940

STEGENS Martin, 1834 - 1898 Flag on grave

SNIDER August D., Mar 13, 1893 - Jan 21, 1972
    Fred, Feb 19, 1886 - Feb 9, 1943
    Margaret (sister), Jun 19, 1900 - no death date
    Commodor P., Feb 23, 1855 - Mar 4, 1901
    Margaret STEGENS, w/C. P. Oct 22, 1866 - Apr 8, 1923

STEGENS Frederick, 1837 - 1896
    Ann, w/F., 18— - 1882 (Year of birth omitted)

SLANE Iva, daughter 1892 - 1899
    Sallie, Mother 1871 - 1895

2 Graves - head and foot stones - no names

DUFFY Bessie, 1901 - 1916
    Orville C., Dec 27, 1914 - Jul 12, 1964 Flag on grave
    Elizabeth May, Jul 16, 1950
    Mary Elizabeth, 1882 - 1946
    Henry Michael, h/M. E., 1871 - 1943

KEEPER Inf. son Charles E., d. Sep 14, 1929

RUPP Mary, 1872 - 1962
    Byron, 1870 - 1909

ANDERSON Charles, 1854 - 1889
    Louisa, w/C. 1858 - 1945
    Anton, 1880 - 1943

FRAZIER Thomas J., 1838 - 1892
    George C., 1872 - 1937

RACE Mary A., w/Wm. A. d. Jan 21, 1904 Age 73/-/-
    William A. d. Jun 28, 1893 Age 69/-/- Flag on grave

Metal Grave Marker (rusted away)

GREEN Mary M., 1931 - 1967 Mother

New Grave - Flag on it - No marker

2 Graves - Metal markers - rusted - no names

Grave had flowers on it - brick marker - no name

DUNLAP Margaret, dau/John & Margaret d. Jul 17,1851 Age 15/4/-

SNIDER, Barbara L.  Mar. 31, 1945 - May 16, 1996

Foot stone, S. E. L.

Stone, large - laying on face - could not move

LARGENT Sarah, d. Mar 2, 1887 Age 68/5/6

SMITH, Evelyn D. Jun. 28, 1938 - Oct. 21, 1998
    Charles R. Aug. 30, 1926 - Jan. 8, 2000

BROWN William K., s/J. B. & Betsey d. Sep 21, 1845 Age 5/8/23

BECK Susan, dau/J. & S. A. d. Apr 23, 1853 Age -/-/23
    Amelia A., dau/H. & S. A., d. Mar 28,1857 Age 1/3/12

2 Graves - no names nor markers

VAUGHN William E., 1892 - 1944
    Elijah, 1868 - 1951
    Loveda, w/E., 1877 - 1947
    Inf Daughter/E.& L., 1949

Grave - no marker

VAUGHN Lois, 1916 - no date
    Elmer, 1897 - 1958

VAUGHN, Woodrow E. July 5, 1922 - April 16, 2005FF

ENNIS Thomas E., 1965 - 1965

KING Charity, w/John C. d. Mar 12, 1945 Age 44/9/14

BOSWELL Henry, d. May 24, 1856 Age 38/3/7

WOLSTENHOLME Harriett Ann, dau/W.& M. VAUGHN
    Jun 22, 1876 - Sep 15, 1894

VAUGHN William, Oct 13, 1841 - Sep 13, 1916
    Matilda, w/Wm. Nov 12, 1841 - no death date
    William, Jr., 1881 - 1958

KING Elenor L., dau/H.J. & I. d. Feb 27, 1852 Age 1/11/12

VANDERBUR Ann, W/Wm., d. Apr 13, 1848 Age 43/-/-
    Elizabeth Ann, dau/Wm. & Ann, d. Nov 24, 1849 Age 5/-/-

BOYD Buford, 1897 - 1971
    Clara F. w/B., 1899 - 19—

HELICK George H., s/C. W. & M., d. Apr 11, 1857 (Stone leaning against bush)

COMBS David, d. Feb 12, 18-0 (In 76th year)

CAPE Agnes B., Apr 28, 1916 - Nov 24, 1967
    Everet F., Aug 11, 1911 - no death date

BINEGAR John F., Illinois S1 USNR WWII Sep 30, 1910 - Feb 19, 1955
    Ella B., Mother, 1891 - 1966
    Charles, Father, 1889 - 1955
    Victor W., son, 1930 - 1948

DOUBET Rebecca V., Jun 16, 1861 - Jan 7, 1885

SPEAR William, May 10, 1838 - no death date
    Isadore, w/Wm., Jan 28, 1844 - Dec 19, 1913

NAGEL Anna R., 1875 - 1940
    Fred W., 1878 - 1945

REENTS Siebold, Aug 27, 1842 - Feb 10, 1902
 Anna Elizabeth, w/S., Aug 28, 1846 - Nov 17, 1920

LARGENT Ida, Apr 7, 1863 - Sep 26, 1943

NIXON Children of J. N. & D.,
    Franklin, d. Oct 14, 1863 Age -/-/15
    Nettie V., d. Jun 29, 1865 Age -/1/6

NIXON Walter B., s/A. & R., d. Jan 13, 1853 Age -/-/4

SLANE Samuel, 1840 - 1901
    Martha A., w/S., 1841 - 1928
    Celia H., 1844 - 1863

WHITKINS Roscoe Judson, s/J.& E. J. d. Mar 5, 1887 Age -/6/7

ZERWEKH Mary WHITING, 1853 - 1880
    Mary O., daughter 1879 - 1886

CARTER George H., Aug 18, 1814 - Mar 14, 1862
    Charlie, s/C. W.& M., Jan 4, 1851 Age 5/3/21

SHEPARD Margaret E., w/Ayleff, d. Sep 20, 1851 Age 61/5/-
    Ayleff, d. May 5, 1852 Age 69/7/-

GUDTNER Edney, d. Aug 21, 1958 Age 3/6/4
    James R., d. Oct 22, 1851 Age -/-/5
    Children of  D., & S. J.
    Albert S., d. Sep 3, 1859 Age 1/6/15
    William E., d. Aug 26, 1859 Age -/l/l
    Children of D. & S. J.

MORGART Edney, w/B. W. d. Nov 10, 1854 Age 37/11/6

SNYDER Amanda E., dau/Lewis & Charlotte, d. Jun 20, 1855 Age 12/10/8
    Charles H., S/L.& C. d. Mar 16, 1853 Age -/3/l?
    Mary E., dau/L .& C. (stone in ground)

NIXON Catherine, w/George d. Mar 16, 1845 Age 69/4/2

MILLER George, d. Jul 30, 1852 (rest hidden)

3 Foot stones - no names

PRIVIA H. Jesse D., 1885 - 1944
    Anna S., w/Jesse, 1890 - 1952

MILLER Thadius C., d. Jan 9, 1856 (Stone leaning against tree w/26 foot stones)

LAFOLLETT Maude M., 1896-1966
    James A., 1896 - 1953

Homemade stone - no names

APPLEGATE Mary E., Mother 1846 - 1901

SMITH Clara D., Oct 23, 1873 Mar 24, 1958

MILLER William H., 1868 - 1926
    John F., Co. A 11th Ill. Cav.
    John F., 1840 - 1923 (two stones)
    Irene L., w/J. F., 1847 - 1926
    Stephan P., 1867 - 1894
    Oscar F., 1888 - 1889

JOHNSON Elmer R., 1913 - 1939
    Daisy, Mother 1876 - 1961
    Peter, Father 1870 - 1949
    Bertha, w/J. F. 1839 - 1924
    John F., 1834 - 1916
    Jonas, 1863 - 1948

1 stone broken - 2 laying together

SCOTT Nancy, w/William G., d. Nov 20, 1838 (rest in ground)
    Anne, w/William G., d. Jul 10, 1840 Age 18/-/-
    William, s/W. G. & L.C.

COMBS Anna, w/David, d. Nov 26, 1865 Age 71/6/-
    David, d. Feb 12, 1870 in the 76th year of his age.

BARNS Emma S., dau/L.& A. d. Jul 31, 1839 Age 18/6/5

JONES Isaac, d. Sep 14, 1841 Age 38/-/-

LIGGETT David A. C., d. Apr 9, 1854 Age 35/-/-

YINGER Rebecca, w/Casper d. Sep 12, 1850 Age 54/-/-

HOWE Mary E., 1864 - 1894
    John J., 1853 - 1926
    Elijah, Dec 19, 1883 - Sep 28, 1955

KING Martha A., dau/E.& S. d. Nov 18, 1844 (Remainder in ground)
    Martha L. dau/E.& S. d. Sep 1854 (Remainder in ground)

WELLS Susan C., dau/J. H. & S. L. d. Oct 18, 1843 Age 1/-/9
    Susan L., w/Jacob H., d. Feb 11, 1849 Age 33/8/7
    Jacob H. d. at Kickapoo Jun 13, 1883 Age 76/-/-?

SEELY Emma M., w/Wm., d. Oct 20, 1872 Age 25/6/8

CONNER Chandler, Feb 22, 1881 Age 72/7/22
    Joanna B., w/C., d. Mar 22, 1849 Age 34/-/17
    James G., S/C.& J. B., d. Apr 23, 1851 Age 8/2/23
    Francis, s/C.& J. B., d. Sep 15, 1849 Age -/5/23
    Adelaide B. dau/C.& J. B., d. Jan 1841 Age -/5/25
    George F., s/C. & J. B., d. Sep 1845 Age -/4/26

BENNETT Viola J. Oct 11, 1870 - Nov 9, 1968 (On same lot as Conners)

SMITH Deborah H., w/Moses, d. Sep 26, 1847 Age 67/2/20

VOORHEES Joseph, 1814 - 1909
    Sarah, w/J., d. Oct 14, 1889 Age 66/1/25
    Children of Joseph & Sarah
    John R., d. Feb 23, 1845 Age 1/11/-
    Jerusha R., dau d. Mar 21, 1847 Age 1/6/-

VOORHEES Laura Ann, d. Mar 9 1849 Age -
    Alcenon S., son d. Sep 7, 1856 Age 2/7/9
    Martha Ann, d. Oct 16, 1858 Age 2/4/26
    Elizabeth, d. Feb 20, 1858 Age -/1/20
    Charles E. d. Aug 17, 1863 Age -/5/9
    Maria H., d. Mar 4, 1862 Age -/1/11
    Joseph E., d. Apr 4, 1860 Age -/5/11