World War I and World War II Draft Registrations

Buell Vinton McCombs, lived as you can at 710 Uncapher Avenue , worked for Marion Steam Shovel, wife was Hattie, was medium build, had blue eyes, brown hair and was also a blacksmith.  Between the 2 draft registrations you can learn about him.  He's the grandson of Benjamin Franklin McCombs (his father was Charles)

Rexford Frank, or Frank Rexford )seems his name is listed differently along the way the brother of above Buell was single.  He was of medium build, slender, had brown eyes and hair and worked at the Westerville Creamery in Richwood.  He lived at 290 South Franklin Street.  Later he lived in Marion at 391 Blaine Avenue, was a bar tender at 156 North Main Street.  There were times he lived with his sister's family, The Williams...Louise.

Merle Melvin McCombs, one of Benjamin Franklin McCombs sons.  Still lots of holes in his story, though it appears he had a rather hard life.  He was married at the age of 36, which seems a bit old for those times to Dorothy Martin.  Presumably he had a dozen children; though little documentation has thus far been found.  At the time of his first draft registration he worked for The Erie RR in Marion and lived at 472 West Center Street.  At some point he lived in Columbus Ohio were two of his children are buried  (Merle Melvin, Jr. dying at the age of 3, and a 2nd son Vincent Franklin dying at age 16.  By the time the other draft registration was filled out, he was living as a patient in The Eloise Hospital in Wayne, Michigan.  What became of him during those times, his other children, and his wife remain a mystery currently.

James B. DeWitt husand of Ethel May Shirk was tall, stout farmer in Magnetic Springs with blue eyes and light brown hair.  Later he lived in Wapakoneta, like the famous astronaut Neil Armstrong; and worked for DeGraff Food Company.

Jesse Shirk was a Private in Company B 8th Reg. Ohio Infantry from March 10, 1864 til July 12, 1865.  He is currently the oldest Shirk that's been documented into this family of McCombs and McCombs.

Roy (LeRoy) McCombs was married with one child and lived in Woodstock, Ohio when this draft registration was signed.  He was a laborer for what looks like a water company.

 Chester Ivan was married and worked for Inter State Iron and Steel Company, and lived at 218 Sharp Street when he signed this draft registration.  He is the son of Hiram, the grandson of Benjamin Franklin and LeRoy's brother.

Click here for additional World War I and II Draft Registration Papers