Josiah Combs (1886-1960), was an internationally known folk artist, ballad collector, teacher and newspaper publisher.  The Perry County native moved to Carr Creek with his family as a youngster and later moved to Hindman.  he was the first Kentuckian to receive a PhD from the Sorbonne in Paris and was considered one of the greatest scholars in the state at the time.  He was the first graduate of the Hindman Settlement  School.  he published one of the first newspapers in Knott County in the early 1900's.  he preserved the strong and unique culture of Knott County and Eastern Kentucky by collecting and publishing ballads, folk songs and folklore materials.  He published at least seven books.

Dr, Josiah Henry Combs was the s/o John Wesley and Clementina (Cody) Combs. He wrote the famous book "Combs, a Study in Comparative  Philology and Genealogy"     *                                                                              

More of his accomplishments are:  A.B., Transylvania University, 1911; Ph D., University of Paris, 1925; College professor and author; was born Jan. 2, 1886, Hazard, Perry Co, KY; died 28 Jun 1960, Fort Worth, (buried Fort Sam Houston Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas); m 12 Jul 1920, Charlotte BENARD, b. Mar. 27, 1900, Laroche-Migennes (Yonne), Burgundy, France; dau. of Paul Amedee Bernard and Louise-Marie MIMARD Benard. No issue.*

    * Source:  Lynda Combs Gipson  April 29, 2003

Corbett Mullins
March 2003