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- "History of Solano and Napa Counties, California with Biographical Sketches of The leading men and women of the Counties, who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present time., History by Tom Gregory and other well known writers., Illustrated ~ Complete in one volume, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1912, p 576
HON. FRANK L. COOMBS.
Of the many progressive citizens of Napa county there is none better known than Frank L. Coombs, who, as the incumbent of various positions of trust and honor, has borne a distinguished part in state, national and international affairs. Not alone through his labors in the state assembly and the national halls of congress, but also through his representation of the United States in a foreign empire, his name is entitled to perpetuation in the annals of his country. He was born near Napa, on a ranch owned by his father, Nathan Coombs. December 27, 1853, and was educated in the local schools of the county. Later he entered the Columbia Law School of Washington, D. C., from which lie was graduated June 10. 1873, and during the same year he was admitted to the supreme court of Washington and the supreme court of California. Early in 1876 lie opened an office at Napa and at once took an active and leading position among the young attorneys of the town. In September, 1879, lie was elected district attorney of Napa county, on the Republican ticket, and re-elected in 1882. holding the office two terms. He was elected to represent Napa county in the legislature for the sessions of 1887. 1889. 1801 and 1897. In 1891 and 1807 he had the additional honor of being chosen speaker of the house. In 1802 President Harrison appointed him United States minister to Japan, where he represented our nation with tact and ability. Returning to the United States in 1893 he resumed his professional labors until 1899. when he was appointed United States attorney for the northern district of -California, which position he filled two years. In 1901 lie was elected to represent his district in congress. On the expiration of his term of office, in March, 1903, he resumed the practice of law in Napa and has so continued up to the present time. While in public life his name was associated with the principal events in public affairs. He always fought for reforms. While minister to Japan he secured action from the imperial govÂernment restraining the immigration of Japanese laborers to America, this being the initiative in this direction. While in congress it was largely through his work that the present Chinese restrictive measures were shaped. From him came the idea of prohibiting the Chinese from going to our new possessions and usurping the fields where the natives were to be shown the new roads to progress. The present policy of returning the insane and criminals to their own country was first formulated and suggested by him in the platÂform of the Republican party adopted in the state convention at Sacramento in 1900.
December 27, 1876. Mr. Coombs was united in marriage with Isabelle M. Roper, daughter of Foster Roper, of Boston, Mass., where she was born and reared and educated in the local schools, after which she attended Mount Holyoke Seminary, where her education was completed ; later she taught in the Boston public schools for a time. Of this union there are three children : Nathan F., the present district attorney of Napa county; Amy and Dorothy. The elder daughter, Amy, married Harry Dunlap, son of Sheriff D. A. Dunlap, in 1909. Fraternally Mr. Coombs is a member. of the Elks, the Odd Fellows and Eagles, and Native Sons of the Golden West, and in the latter order has been honored with the office of grand president..
COOMBS, Frank Leslie, a Representative from California; born in Napa, Napa County, Calif., December 27, 1853; attended the public schools in California; attended the Dorchester High School, Boston, Mass., and was graduated from the law department of Columbian (now George Washington) University, Washington, D.C., in 1875; was admitted to the bar in 1875 and commenced practice in Napa, Calif.; district attorney of Napa County, Calif., 1880-1885; member of the State assembly 1887-1889 and 1891-1897 and served as speaker in 1891 and again in 1897; on the death of John F. Swift was appointed United States Minister to Japan and served from June 1892 to August 1893; State librarian of California from April 1, 1898, to April 1, 1899; United States attorney for the northern district of California from April 1, 1899, to March 1, 1901; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1901-March 3, 1903); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1902; resumed the practice of law in Napa, Calif.; again a member of the State assembly 1921-1923 and 1925-1927; died in Napa, Calif., October 5, 1934; interment in Tulocay Cemetery.
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Frank Coombs
Home in 1880: Napa, Napa, California
Age: 26
Estimated birth year: abt 1854
Birthplace: California
Relation to head-of-household: Self (Head)
Spouse's name: Jennie
Father's birthplace: MA
Mother's birthplace: NM
Neighbors:
Occupation: Atty At Law
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Frank Coombs 26
Jennie Coombs 24
1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Frank Coombs [George Coombs]
Home in 1900: Berkeley Ward 3, Alameda, California
Age: 46
Birth Date: Dec 1853
Birthplace: California
Race: White
Ethnicity: American
Gender: Male
Relationship to head-of-house: Head
Father's Birthplace: Massachusetts
Mother's Birthplace: California
Spouse's name: Isabelle
Marriage Year: 1880
Marital Status: Married
Years Married: 20
Residence : Berkley City, Alameda, California 1929 Grove Street
Occupation: Lawyer
Household Members: Name Age
Frank Coombs 46
Isabelle Coombs 44 3 children, 3 living
Nathan Coombs 19
Amy Coombs 16
Dorothy Coombs 7
Mary McDowal 40 servant
1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Frank L Coombs
Age in 1910: 56
Estimated birth year: abt 1854
Birthplace: California
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Massachusetts
Mother's Birth Place: New Mexico
Spouse's name: Belle R
Home in 1910: Napa Ward 2, Napa, California
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male lawyer general practice
Household Members: Name Age
Frank L Coombs 56
Belle R Coombs 53 4 children, 3 living
Nathan S Coombs 29
Dorothy M Coombs 16
1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Frank Coombs
Home in 1920: Napa, Napa, California
Age: 64 years
Estimated birth year: abt 1856 [abt 1859]
Birthplace: California
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's name: Belle
Father's Birth Place: Massachusetts
Mother's Birth Place: New Mexico
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Image: 410
Household Members: Name Age
Frank Coombs 64
Belle Coombs 64
Nathan F Coombs 39
Dorothy M Coombs 26
New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
Name: Frank L Coombs
Estimated birth year: 27 Dec 1853
Age: 74
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Southampton, England
Ship Name: Leviathan
Port of Arrival: New York, New York 1927
Nativity: California
Line: 26
Microfilm Serial: T715
Microfilm Roll: T715_4151
Birth Location: California
Birth Location Other: Napa
Page Number: 11
1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Frank L Coombs
Home in 1930: Napa, Napa, California
Age: 76
Estimated birth year: abt 1854
Birthplace: California
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's name: Isbelle R
Race: White
Household Members: Name Age
Frank L Coombs 76
Isbelle R Coombs 73
Nathan F Coombs 49 single, lawyer
Dorothy M Coombs 36 single, teacher
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1853 - 1934 (80 years)
