James Combs was the son of Mark and Estella Van Dresser Combs who were married in Watertown, New York about 1871. They moved to Detroit, Minnesota in 1879. (The name of this town was later changed to Detroit Lakes).
James Combs was born at Detroit, Minnesota in 1886 and came to Griggs County in 1910. He was married to Edith Smitherland at Frazee, Minnesota They had two children, James, at present superintendent of school at Enderlin, North Dakota and Luella, now Mrs. Fillmore Trites of Henning, Minnesota
After the death of his first wife, Mr. Combs married Lillian McCann of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota She is the daughter of Emma Kirkpatrick and Cyrus Sylvester McCann who were married in Ohio and came to Minnesota in 1902. Lillian was born April 22, 1907. She is the first cousin of J. A. Kirkpatrick the Western artist of Jamestown, North Dakota.
All their sons were in the armed forces. James Jr.,
Donald and Darrell in the Navy and Robert was in the Army during WW II. All their children and grandchildren are musical.
The Combses built up three farms during their years in rural Griggs County, moving to Cooperstown after Jim became handicapped. Outstanding features of all the comfortable homes set up by this talented pair were the beautiful yards, trees, flowers, and gardens.
After their retirement Jim became interested in painting as well as in the music that had been a lifelong interest. Thus when they were forced to give up farming they still kept in touch with the colors of nature that had been an integral part of their life.
Jim died in May of 1973 and Lillian resides in Cooperstown where she is active in the Presbyterian Church, Senior Citizens and continues with her many hobbies including quilt making.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 451