Individual Details

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.

Birth	19 Mar 1883	Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas
Marriage	9 Nov 1905	Jasper County, Missouri - Fannie Ireland
Marriage	14 Oct 1908	Jericho Springs, Cedar County, Missouri - Bertha Ann McManis
Death	20 Oct 1960	Porterville, Tulare County, California

Spouse	Bertha Ann McManis (1891 - 1963)
Child	Rhoena Ann Comstock (1918 - )

Spouse

Fannie Ireland (1888 - 1907)

Father	James Irving/Ervin Comstock (1837 - 1893)
Mother	Mary Elizabeth Stamps (1839 - )
Sibling	Harvey Alexander Comstock (1858 - 1930)
Sibling	James Franklin "Frank" Comstock (1859 - 1923)
Sibling	Belle Comstock (1863 - 1954)
Sibling	Elonzo Ervan Comstock (1866 - 1933)
Sibling	Theodosia Comstock (1868 - )
Sibling	Elizabeth Comstock (1871 - 1955)