John Comer Baars was born 27.6.1880 in Perry County, Tennessee. He married Cora L. Johnson (10.3.1879 – 1.5.1946) 5.7.1899 in Perry County. During the next several years they moved around a lot. Their first two children (Atlas – 11.4.1900 & Carrie “Mae” – 20.3.1903) were born in Tennessee, the third (James “Wesley” – 16.6.1910) was born in Mississippi.
According to the U.S. census records, in 1910 they lived in “Beat 1, Tippah County, Mississippi” where Comer was a laborer in a stove mill. Both Comer and Cora could read and write English and both Atlas and Carrie Mae had attended school. The census data were taken in May of 1910 and James Wesley would be born in June. The U.S. census records for 1920 show that Comer, Cora and their three kids lived in Jenkins, Kentucky where Comer was an electrician in the coalmines.
In the 1930 & 1940 U.S. Census Records Comer and Cora were living in Wheelwright, Kentucky. In 1930 Wesley is living at home with Comer and Cora and Comer is shown working as a mechanic in the coalmines. In the 1940 census report Comer (whose name is written as “Homer”), Cora and Stanley Baars are all living in the same household in Wheelwright, KY. Comer is shown as an electrician working in the coalmines while Stanley is unemployed. Comer’s total income for the year 1939 was $1700. His son Atlas died in 1942 and his wife Cora died in 1946. Shortly after this, Comer moved back to Tennessee and lived in Dickson for a while. While living in Tennessee, Comer married his second wife on 14.3.1948. She was also named Cora – Cora Thornton – and was from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Comer died on 18.7.1960 in Troy, Ohio. He is buried in the Vanover Cemetery in Jenkins, Kentucky beside his first wife Cora. |
Daniel Baars
Ruth Ann Clayton (Baars)
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