Eighth Generation


478. William Decatur COMSTOCK291 was born on 19 March 1883 in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas.205 He died on 20 October 1960 at the age of 77 in Porterville, Tulare County, California.

William Decatur seems to be some 26 years younger than his eldest brother Harvey - I can't help but wonder if he could be the son of Harvey or James Franklin, since he's so much younger than the nearest sibling. However, in 1900, when he was living with his brother, that relationship is stated.


1900 Census. Joplin, Jasper Co, MO, Hh 242
Frank M. Comstock, b. Mar 1859, age 41, married 15 years. Born MO, father b. TN, mother b. MO. He was a teamster.
Anna, wife, b. Feb 1866, age 34, has had only 1 child. She was born in Kansas, her father b. Illinois, her mother b. MO
Laura, daughter, b. Jan 1889, age 11, born in Missouri.
William, brother, b. Mar 1883, age 17; born Kansas, father b. TN, mother b. MO

The date of William's marriage to Bertha McManis as recorded as 1918 in the Comstock book is an obvious error. It probably should be October of 1908, since in 1910, the couple stated they had been married about a year. The year of 1908 also works out better with their statements in 1930 about when they married.


In 1910, William D. Comstock is age 26, married twice, married 1 year in the present marriage. He was born in Kansas, his father & mother born TN. Berta A. wife, was 19, born in Missouri. Her father born Ohio, her mother born MO.

1930 Census. Joplin, Jasper Co MO. Hh 62
William D. Comstock, age 47. First married at age 25. Born MO, father b. MO, mother born in Ohio.
Bertha A., wife, age 38. First married at age 17. Born MO, father b. Illinois, mother b. MO
Rhoena A., daughter, age 11.

1938 City Directory, Joplin, MO
Mrs. Bertha A. Comstock, housekeeper at 3102 E. 8th, lives at 1002 Rex Ave
Wm. D. Comstock, (wife Bertha A) lab, lives at 1002 Rex Ave
Rowena A. Comstock, rents at 1002 Rex Ave
R. Anna Comstock, (widow of J. Frank) rents at 802 Rex Ave

1940 Census. Joplin, Jasper, MO, Hh 86
1002 Rex
W. D. Comstock, 57, b. Kansas, Plasterer, WPA Project
Bertha A., 48, wife, b. MO

1950 Census. Porterville, Tulare Co, CA, Hh 124
William D. Comstock, 67, b. Kansas, yard work, homes
Bertha Ann, wife, 58, b. MO, housework, homes

Found in California Death Index: William D. Comstock, b. 19 Mar 1883, Kansas, and died 20 Oct 1960, Tulare Co, CA. His mother's maiden name was Stamps.

Joplin News Herald, Joplin, MO, 20 Oct 1960, p.1, Section B
William D. Comstock dies in California
Mrs. A. J. Taylor, 802 Rex Avenue, received information of the death this morning of an uncle, William D. Comstock, in Porterville, Calif. He had suffered a stroke a week ago.
Mr. Comstock, who was 77 years old, had lived in Joplin all his life until moving to California in 1947. He was a retired Frisco railraod employee and a member of the Christian Church.
Survivors include his widow, JMrs. Bertha Comstock of the home, 310 South G. Stree, Porterville; a daughter Mrs. Rowena McDaniel, and three grandchildren.
Services and burial will be in Porterville.
Note: I have not been able to identify the niece, Mrs. A. J. Taylor

Buried Hillcrest Cemetery, Porterville, Tulare Co, CA.

William Decatur COMSTOCK and Fannie IRELAND were married on 9 November 1905 in Jasper County, Missouri. Fannie IRELAND was born on 10 May 1888 in Cassville, Barry County, Missouri. She died on 14 December 1907 at the age of 19 in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

William Decatur COMSTOCK and Bertha Ann MCMANIS were married on 14 October 1908 in Jericho Springs, Cedar County, Missouri.205 Bertha Ann MCMANIS, daughter of Joseph F. MCMANIS and Annie Eliza [MCMANIS], was born on 30 August 1891 in Jericho Springs, Cedar County, Missouri.283,291 She died on 27 February 1963 at the age of 71 in Porterville, Tulare County, California.

Her Find A Grave Memorial # 102960557 states she was Bertha A. Comstock Myers at the time of her death.

William Decatur COMSTOCK and Bertha Ann MCMANIS had the following children:

711

i.

Rhoena Ann COMSTOCK was born on 30 October 1918.283