Coombs family

The Coombs and Learned families were joined when Palmer Bennett Coombs married Genevieve Learned on September 6, 1924, in Pointe Aux Barques, Huron County, Michigan.

Palmer Bennett Coombs was born August 23, 1893, in Sioux City, Iowa, the youngest child of John Charles Coombs (1842-1914) and Edith (Manvel) Coombs (1854-1893). Palmer's mother died when he was two days old from childbirth complications. For much of his childhood, Palmer's family lived in Los Angeles, California. Palmer later moved to Michigan.

At Ann Arbor, Michigan, on April 6, 1917, the day that the United States formally entered World War I, Palmer enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He trained at Camp Paul Jones (IL), Wakefield Naval Rifle Range (VA), Mount Pleasant (SC), Camp Logan (IL), and Sandy Hook (NJ) before being sent overseas. He served in France at Saint-Nazaire, assembling gun mounts and cars, as well as at Nuisement, Soissons, Verdun, and St. Bernard Woods. He was released from the service on January 8, 1919.

In the early 1920s, prior to his marriage, Palmer lived at the YMCA in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and was employed as a foundry manager, an occupation he held for most of his life.

Genevieve Learned was born January 27, 1897, in Renfro, Alabama, a daughter of Edward Raymond Learned (1868-1936) and Josephine (Farrell) Learned (1869-1943). For a time, Genevieve lived and attended school in Eugene, Oregon. She later returned to Michigan, where her family had been from. As a young woman, Genevieve was a teacher.

Palmer and Genevieve were married on September 6, 1924, after having known each other at least 12 years. They made their life together in Kalamazoo. By 1930, they were already living in the home at 2005 Waite Avenue, where this collection was found in 1974. Palmer had a long and successful career at Riverside Foundry & Galvanizing Company, of which he eventually became president.

Palmer B. Coombs died July 13, 1959, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Genevieve died March 20, 1988, in Los Angeles, California. They were survived by two sons, Manvel (born about 1926) and Charles P. (born 1931).

From the guide to the Coombs-Learned Family Papers, 1819-1985, (Wright State University, Special Collections and Archives)