Charles E. Coombes
   CHARLES E. COOMBES.  The actual and acknowledged leadership in the Jones county bar belongs to the firm of Chapman & Coombes, both of whom are lawyers possessing ability that will not suffer by comparison with the ablest attorneys of the state, and during that partnership they have acquired the choice of legal business in this section of west Texas. Mr. Coombes has had a varied experience in official and public life previous to resuming private practice under his present firm title. He has served in different offices, and a few years ago was district judge.
   Charles E. Coombes was born in Dallas county, Texas, September 25, 1875, and comes of an old family, established in this state in the early years, and his father before him was likewise prominent in the law. Zachary E. Coombes, the father, a native of Kentucky, was ten years old when brought to Texas. He studied law and became one of the leaders in the Dallas county bar, practicing many years. During the war he went out from Texas with one of the regiments of the state and served with the rank of captain in Polignac's brigade. In politics he was likewise active and served in several important offices. His death occurred in 1895 at the age of sixty-two and he is buried in Dallas. He married Rebecca Bedford, who was born in Kentucky, their marriage occurring in Texas. Both were members of the Christian church. Of the nine children in the family, the son, Charles is the youngest.
   Judge Coombes has spent practically all his life in Texas, and from the local schools took a special course at the Christian University of Nevada, Missouri, and after that was a student for some time in Kentucky. Returning to Dallas he entered the Dallas business college where he was graduated in 1890. Going into his father's law office he became a stenographer, and during his two years at that work learned a great deal of practical knowledge very helpful to him in his later career. At the same time he studied law, and then at the age of seventeen went west to Benjamin in Knox county, where he lived until 1896. During that time he served as deputy county and district clerk, and also was employed in an abstract office. In January, 1896, he returned to Dallas, but then sought a better field  in the vicinity where he had become well acquainted, at Benjamin in Knox county, and practiced law there until 1898. In that year he was elected county attorney, serving one term, and then for one term was district attorney for the Fiftieth Judicial District. After he had resumed private practice it was soon again interrupted by his appointment as county judge to fill out an unexpired term. He served only a few months and on February 29, 1908, was appointed district judge of the Fiftieth Judicial District, and filled the unexpired term of nearly one year. On January 1, 1911, Judge Coombes moved to Anson and formed his present partnership with Mr. W. R. Chapman, under the firm title of Chapman & Coombes.
   Judge Coombes married at Benjamin, December 25, 1894, to Nellie Bedford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Bedford of Benjamin. Six children have been born to their marriage, five sons and one daughter, as follows:  William Rufus, deceased; Elizabeth; Joe W.; Charles E., Jr.; Hilroy J.; and Jerry Clay. The Coombes family have membership in the Christian church, while Mr. Coombes affiliates with the Blue Lodge and Chapter of Masonry, and with the Woodmen of the World. He has done much good work in the interests of the Democratic party in Texas, and at the present time is chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee. His recreations are both physical and intellectual. He is fond of watching a good game of baseball, enjoys other athletic diversions, and his home and library, and music and the theatre enable him to pass many a pleasant hour. Mr. Coombes at the present time is serving as president of the school board of Anson, and lends his vigorous co-operation to any movement for the betterment of his home community.

from A History of Texas and Texans, by Frank W. Johnson.  The American Historical Society.  Chicago, 1914.  Vol. III, pp. 1091-1092.