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Nathan Coombs

1826 – 1877

American politician

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About Nathan Coombs

Lived 1826 – 1877 (aged 50–51). Nathan Coombs was an American explorer and politician.

Nathan Coombs (June 12, 1826 – December 26, 1877) was a California pioneer and Democratic politician who served in the California State Assembly and is best known for founding the city of Napa, California.

Life Nathan Coombs lived in Massachusetts and came overland to Oregon in 1842. Coombs came to California in 1843, first working for Steven Smith in Bodega Bay; and then for William Gordon at Rancho Quesesosi in Yolo County. In 1845 he married William Gordon's daughter Maria Isabel Gordon (1831–1890). Coombs came to Napa Valley in 1845 and purchased a small part of Rancho Tulucay on the east side of the Napa River from Juarez Cayetano. Coombs participated in the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846. In 1847 Coombs purchased a farm on Rancho Napa from Salvador Vallejo about one and a half miles north-west of present-day Napa, and where he resided until his death.

Coombs purchased of Rancho Entre Napa from Nicholas Higuera in 1847. On this land, he founded and laid out the city of Napa in 1848.

Coombs and William Gordon purchased Rancho Chimiles from the Berreyesa family in 1851. Coombs was a member for 10th District of the California State Assembly, 1855–56 and 1860–61. He died in Napa, December 26, 1877.

Legacy Coombsville is named for him. His son Frank Coombs was a United States representative from California.

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Important facts

Born
1826, Massachusetts
Birth century
Nationality
Positions held
Member of the California State Assembly

People in Nathan Coombs's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Nathan Coombs's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Nathan Coombs?

American politician

When was Nathan Coombs born?

Nathan Coombs was born in 1826 in Massachusetts.

When did Nathan Coombs die?

Nathan Coombs died on 26 December 1877 in Napa.

What was Nathan Coombs's occupation?

Nathan Coombs was an explorer and politician.

What nationality was Nathan Coombs?

Nathan Coombs was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Nathan Coombs

· Wikidata: Q3870723

· DBpedia: Nathan Coombs

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Nathan Coombs. https://biography.guide/nathan-coombs/

MLA: "Nathan Coombs." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/nathan-coombs/.

Chicago: "Nathan Coombs." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/nathan-coombs/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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