Descendants of Isaac Compton

Generation No. 1

1. ISAAC¹ COMPTON was born Abt. 1760 in NJ, and died February 1826 in Berkeley Co, VA. He married ANN ??? Abt. 1780 in Berkeley Co, VA.

Notes for ISAAC COMPTON:

Marriage Records of Berkeley County, Virginia

Surnames, K-L

Page 123

Kiser, Elizabeth m. Compton, Isaac in 1799. Applied for license on September 16th.

--------------------------------------------------

West Virginia Estate Settlements

Berkeley County, 1815-1850

Page 54

Compton, Isaac, App. 5-8-1826

Child of ISAAC COMPTON and ANN ??? is:

2. i. JONATHAN² COMPTON, b. Abt. 1780, Berkeley Co, VA; d. Abt. 1820, Berkeley Co, VA.

Generation No. 2

2. JONATHAN² COMPTON (ISAAC¹) was born Abt. 1780 in Berkeley Co, VA, and died Abt. 1820 in Berkeley Co, VA. He married MARY YOUNG Abt. 1806 in Berkeley Co, VA, daughter of CHARLES YOUNG and CATHERINE KINDT. She was born February 19, 1783 in Berkeley Co, VA, and died October 14, 1871 in Gilliam, Saline, MO.

Children of JONATHAN COMPTON and MARY YOUNG are:

3. i. ELIZABETH C³ COMPTON, b. January 07, 1808, Martinsberg, Berkeley, VA; d. Bef. 1880.

4. ii. DEBORAH COMPTON, b. March 16, 1810, Berkeley Co, VA; d. January 07, 1885, Slater, Saline, MO.

5. iii. JONATHAN COMPTON, b. May 06, 1812, Berkeley Co, VA; d. July 21, 1875, Holland, Shelby, IL.

6. iv. CHARLES COMPTON, b. January 01, 1815, Martinsberg, Berkeley, VA; d. October 11, 1886, Holland, Shelby, IL.

Generation No. 3

3. ELIZABETH C³ COMPTON (JONATHAN², ISAAC¹) was born January 07, 1808 in Martinsberg, Berkeley, VA, and died Bef. 1880. She married JOSEPH SMITH July 27, 1843 in Berkeley Co, VA, son of JOSEPH SMITH and MARY. He was born Abt. 1815 in Morgan Co, VA, and died Bef. 1880.

Notes for JOSEPH SMITH:

From "History of Saline County, Missouri" St. Louis Missouri Historical

Company, 1881

Joseph Smith, P. O., Slater. Son of Joseph and Mary Smith, was born

June 17, 1814 in Morgan county, Virginia. His father and mother were

both natives of Virginia. He remained until he was nineteen years old

on his father's farm. In the spring of 1838 he moved to Fayette county,

Ohio, remained there several years, and then returned to Virginia. In

1842 he married Miss Elizabeth Compton, daughter of Jonathan and Mary

Compton, of Virginia. In 1844 he moved to this county, and settled

first near High Hill. In 1846 he purchased the farm he now lives on, to

which he has added by subsequent purchases, until it now amounts to

ninety-four acres of land. Mr. Smith has five children, three sons and

two daughters. Two of his sons died in early manhood, and also one of

his daughters, dying after she was married. The other daughter is

married, and living, with two children. Mr. Smith has made his property

by industry and economy. He is a member of the C. P. Church.

Children of ELIZABETH COMPTON and JOSEPH SMITH are:

i. MARY C⁴ SMITH, b. 1844, VA.

7. ii. JOHN WILLIAM SMITH, b. 1845, VA; d. Bef. 1870, Probably Saline Co, MO.

iii. NANCY E SMITH, b. August 03, 1847, MO; d. February 05, 1870, Slater, Saline, MO; m. FINIS REA WILHITE, August 11, 1868, Saline Co, MO; b. December 09, 1847, Gilliam, Saline, MO; d. October 21, 1929.

iv. JAMES PHILIP SMITH, b. 1849, MO.

Notes for JAMES PHILIP SMITH:

James was living with his parents in 1870, but could not be found on the 1880 census.

v. ??? SMITH, d. Bef. 1860.

4. DEBORAH³ COMPTON (JONATHAN², ISAAC¹) was born March 16, 1810 in Berkeley Co, VA, and died January 07, 1885 in Slater, Saline, MO¹. She married DAVID FORD April 18, 1835 in Berkeley Co, VA. He was born September 02, 1803 in Martinsburg, Berkeley, VA, and died January 23, 1896 in Slater, Saline, MO².

Notes for DEBORAH COMPTON:

There were two more girls in this family. One of them moved with their widowed mother to MO.

Notes for DAVID FORD:

The family was living at Jefferson, Saline, MO in 1870.

They could not be found in the 1880 census.

Children of DEBORAH COMPTON and DAVID FORD are:

8. i. ELIZABETH JANE "BETTY"⁴ FORD, b. 1836, Berkeley Co, VA.

ii. MARY CATHERINE FORD, b. 1837, Berkeley Co, VA; d. 1915, Slater, Saline, MO.

Notes for MARY CATHERINE FORD:

Mary never married. She was living with sister Betty Wilhite and family in Marshall, Saline, MO in 1900.

9. iii. JAMES BROWN FORD, b. 1839, Berkeley Co, VA.

iv. NANCY ELLEN "NANNIE" FORD, b. February 07, 1841, Berkeley Co, VA; d. August 16, 1879, Saline Co, MO³.

v. MARIA L FORD, b. 1844, Saline Co, MO; d. Bef. 1880, Probably MO; m. ELBRIDGE GAREY WHEELER, October 15, 1867, Saline Co, MO; b. 1839, MO; d. February 28, 1914, Slater, Saline, MO.

Notes for ELBRIDGE GAREY WHEELER:

Elbridge was living with his parents at Jefferson, Saline, Missouri in 1880.

vi. AMETIA A FORD, b. June 30, 1846, Saline Co, MO; d. July 23, 1899, MO.

Notes for AMETIA A FORD:

Amelia may have married John Ervin and had daughters, Kate and Sally.

vii. SUSAN MARTHA FORD, b. 1849, Saline Co, MO; m. SAMUEL M HEDGES, December 30, 1869, Saline Co, MO; b. Abt. 1847, Platte Co, MO; d. 1893.

Notes for SAMUEL M HEDGES:

There was an S M Hedges at State Penitentiary, Lansing, Leavenworth, Kansas in 1880.

viii. WILLIAM E FORD, b. December 17, 1850, Saline Co, MO; d. Aft. 1920; m. JOSEPHINE B "JOSIE" CLAYCOMB, Abt. 1870; b. December 1851, MO; d. 1933.

Notes for WILLIAM E FORD:

William and Josie were living at Cambridge, Saline, MO in 1900.

Marriage Notes for WILLIAM FORD and JOSEPHINE CLAYCOMB:

They had no children.

5. JONATHAN³ COMPTON (JONATHAN², ISAAC¹) was born May 06, 1812 in Berkeley Co, VA, and died July 21, 1875 in Holland, Shelby, IL. He married (1) LUCINDA BRINKER Abt. 1840 in Fairfield Co, OH, daughter of GEORGE BRINKER and MARY SWOPE. She was born November 30, 1818 in Pickaway Co, OH, and died March 15, 1843 in Circleville, Pickaway, OH. He married (2) ELIZABETH BRINKER March 17, 1850 in Fairfield Co, OH, daughter of GEORGE BRINKER and MARY SWOPE. She was born March 15, 1825 in Pickaway Co, OH, and died February 18, 1908 in Holland, Shelby, IL.

Notes for JONATHAN COMPTON:

This sketch was taken from the book "Shelby County History Vol II".

COMPTON, Jonathan (deceased) The life of a successful man is an interesting study. When one comes in contact with such a man, his characteristics, his manner of doing things, as well as the evidence of his ability, seem to work in harmony to make what the world calls greatness. When one reflects upon these various points, the bleeding of them all Into the man himself makes the study more difficult. There are certain men who are trained from their youth up to overcome difficulties, to ever press onward and upward. Thrown early upon their own resources, they develop, and in the end attain success. However, there is something more in this life than material success, merely to have laid up wealth is not sufficient to make anyone truly great. It is when a man leads an upright, honorable life, and leaves behind him a name of which his descendants are proud, that he has achieved something worth remembering, and when he has done both, great credit is due him.

The late Jonathan Compton of Shelby County was a man widely known, whose sterling traits of character are well remembered by all who knew him. He was born In Berkeley County, Va., May 6, 1812. When quite a young man he, with a brother, went to Fairfield County, Ohio, where they worked on a farm. Later they rented land and farmed for themselves. About 1840 Jonatban Compton married Lucinda Brinker, born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 30, 1818, who died March 15, 1843, aged twenty-four years three months and three days. In 1848 Jonathan and Charles Compton walked from Ohio to Illinois, where they lived one year clearing off timber from the farm owned by their uncle. In 1840 they came to Shelby County, on their way home from Ohio, and Jonathan entered 240 acres in Holland Township. He then proceeded to Ohio, where in 1848 he had married Elizabeth Brinker, a sister of his first wife. In the fall of 1853, he and his family moved to Shelby County, and during the winter Jonathan Compton rented a house In Section 6, Holland Township, on the farm now owned by John Barbee, his son-in-law. The following spring he bought a farm, probably of eighty acres in Section 8, and near the 240 acres entered in 1849. At various times he bought other land and at the same time of his death owned a farm in Holland Township, one and one-half miles by one and one-half miles, on which he had built a handsome brick residence, with all the interior decorations in black walnut. There are fourteen hand-made doors in the house which cost exclusive of material, $8.50 each. The door casings are fashioned after the manner of entrances to Egyptian temples. The house is in the center of a beautiful lawn, studded with magnificent shade trees. Mr. Compton also owned considerable property in other townships in the county, and was one of the largest landowners in this part of State.

When Mr. Compton left Virginia there were a widowed mother and two sisters still living there, of whom he never heard until some time after the Civil War. His mother had moved with one of her daughters to Missouri. Through a neighbor, she learned of the whereabouts of Jonathan Compton, and they met, although it was difficult for the old mother to realize that the middle-aged man was the lad who had left her so many years before.

Mr. Compton died in July, IS75, leaving seven living children: George and Charles, of Holland Township; Deborah, wife of John Barbee; John of Shelbyville; Eliza, wife of Eber Ragan; Samuel. since deceased, and Etta wife of Henry Davis, who owns the homestead.

Mr. Compton was killed in an accident. His team becoming frightened and running away while he was moving hay. The unfortunate event shocked the neighborhood, and great sympathy was shown the family in their terrible bereavement. Mrs. Compton died February 17, 1908, aged eighty-three years.

In closing this all too brief sketch of a great and good man, we are allowed to quote from the offering of Rev. R. L. Douthit, who was an intimate friend of Mr. Compton:

"Jonathan Compton was one of nature's noble men, whose excellent quantities deserve to be held up as an example for the living. He was so modest, so unassuming, so quiet in his walk and conversation, that he was never widely known for what he was really worth. A man of extraordinary energy, rare tact as a farmer, unusual soundness of judgment in all practical affairs and beloved by his near neighbors and employees he has lived In Shelby County for nearly twenty five years, and has risen from poverty to be one of the wealthiest men in our county, and yet he was comparatively little known by many of his fellow citizens, so that when the story of his noble life is told, many who have lived within a half a dozen miles of him will be constrained to say with a citizen of Shelbyville who attended his funeral; "Well, I Always knew that Jonathan Compton was a good man, but I never knew he ,as half as good as he was, or loved so much by his neighbors".

''Mr. Compton was naturally so industrious himself that he could give no encouragement violence, but no really needy person ever went away from his door without sympathy and substantial help. He was a faithful member of United Brethren Church, but his creed was a short one and easily understood, and yet a broad one; Love your neighbor and attend to your own business. And this he did well. His rule of life was never to live beyond his means, stay up squarely and be generous according as the lord prospered him and he religiously believed that no man could be truly or long prosperous who was nor just and generous. Said he to friend with his accustomed frankness-. "I'll tell you why you don't have better luck: You don’t give enough to good causes. I have found that the more I give the more I am blessed with means to give. Suppose you try it".

There’s another trait in this mans character that also deserves notice. He was remarkably free from sectarian bigotry, prejudice or any unkind feelings toward those who differed from him in opinion. This was the reason whereby his neighbors all learned to trust his judgment and went to him for advice in matters of public interest.

He was a benevolent man and I have learned that during the past eighteen months, though during that time he built himself a beautiful and capacious residence that he gave to educational and religious purposes on his own free will and accord gave over $1500, besides many gifts to the poor of which the world will never know.

Another trait was his disposition to speak well of everybody. He had not a harmful word to say of anyone, but seemed delighted to tell me of this or that, one that was doing better than they used to do, speaking kindly of everybody and giving a charitable construction to everything.

In regard to a beautiful set of resolutions drawn up by the Sylvan Sunday school, in memory of Mr. Compton, and in appreciation of the beneficent influence of his life, Mr. Douthit said :

"These resolutions were not gotten up to tell a story, whitewash fruits or sound hollow praise; they are but the simple outburst of grief and affection from those to whom he has been a friend and benefactor.

It is very safe to praise the dead, because few will raise a voice to protest, however bad a man’s life had been; and sometimes this praise is no more than thin whitewashing that will soon wear away. But I believe that the solid rock of truth will stand this inscription on Mr. Compton’s grave: "He was an honest man and a friend to the poor. Blessed be his memory."

Notes for ELIZABETH BRINKER:

OBITUTARY

Elizabeth Compton was born in Pickaway County Ohio is the year 1825, she was the daughter of George and Mary Brinker. She was married to Jonathan Compton in 1849; to this union were born nine children, four having preceded her to the spirit world they are: Barnabas, Nelson, David and Samuel. Those living are Charles Compton, Debora Barbee, John Compton, Eliza Ragan and Ettie Davis, all of who were present at the funeral. She was converted early in life in her native state.

She came to Illinois in 1853 when this country was not thickly settled when wolves and deer were prowling the prairies. She settled on the farm then where she died. She was a good Christian mother; many times she would walk with her companion, when too muddy to drive, through the woods to Mt. Zion church to hear the preaching. She took so much pride in being called on to lead in prayer that she would arise shouting and praising God. She had no fear of the scorning finger laughing at the shouting Christian. In the early fifties when churches in the country were scarce, she opened her door and public worship was held in her house for a period of time from their it was moved to the Bethel school house about three quarters of a mile east of where she died, where she attended preaching and Sunday school a number of years, from thence she attended at Zion where her funeral was held, to this edifice she and her companion gave largely of their worldly substance of which they received a blessed reward. She was always liberal in paying to the salary of the minister in charge. She was always on hand to take the preacher and family to her home to feed and share with them her earthly store of provision. She was always generous hearted and would give the minister plenty and to spare. For a few years she has not attended church but to her the blessed Master was her comforter.

She was 82 years, 11 months and 3 days old when she departed February 18, 1908. She was the last of a large family of thirteen children, her brothers and sisters all living to a good old age. She was always telling her children of the way they used to go to church and pointing out the way to them, often reproving them of their negligence of a future welfare, on being visited by a minister during her recent illness they read a portion of scripture and sang some beautiful hymns that seemed to brighten the way as they could tell by her countenance she was only waiting for the call of the Master to say, "her work was done come to your reward which your Father which is in Heaven hath in store for the faithful." She will be missed by the children and grand children when visiting her old home not to see her their, her chair will be vacant her voice is now still.

Rev. Z. Peas, of the United Brethren church, officiated, text Revelations 14:13. The lesson was II Corinthians 5 chapters: Revs Peas was so grief strickened he could not read the lesson he had chosen, Rev. Phillippe was also grief strickened so he could hardly sing a beautiful hymn he had sang to her but a few days previous to her death, many were weeping who seldom shed tears, she was good and kind to everyone she met.

Her funeral was preached at Mt. Zion church after which the remains were laid to rest in the Grove cemetery by the side of her companion and loved ones, there to await the judgment morn.

One who was there.

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Obituary

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Mrs. Elizabeth Compton was born in Ohio, March 15, 1825, died at her home in Holland township, Shelby county, Ill., February 18, 1908 aged 82 years, 11 months and 3 days.

She was the daughter of George and Mary Brinker and was the ninth of a family of thirteen children, all of whom preceded her in death. She was united in marriage to Jonathan Compton in her native state in 1849. She came to Shelby county, Illinois in 1854, where she lived on her home place until death.

Her husbands, Jonathan Compton, death was the result of an accident. He was killed by a mowing machine July 21, 1875. Mr. Compton's first wife was an elder sister to Elizabeth who died in early life and left one son, George, who lives near Clarksburg, Ill. Mrs. Compton, the subject of this notice, was the mother of nine children, five of whom still survive, viz: Charles, Mrs. Deborah Barbee, Mrs. Eliza Ragan, John, Mrs. Ettie Davis, who lived with her mother. Mrs. Compton also leaves 22 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was a life long member of the U. B. Church and lived a devoted christian. She was a very liberal giver to the support of the church. During her late illness, she was patientand resigned to the will of Him who doeth all things well.

Shelbyville Newspaper

Children of JONATHAN COMPTON and LUCINDA BRINKER are:

10. i. GEORGE⁴ COMPTON, b. July 23, 1842, Pickaway Co, OH; d. May 29, 1911, Holland Twp, Shelby, IL.

ii. LUCINDA COMPTON, b. March 09, 1843, Pickaway Co, OH; d. March 15, 1846, Circleville, Pickaway, OH.

Children of JONATHAN COMPTON and ELIZABETH BRINKER are:

11. iii. CHARLES⁴ COMPTON, b. July 26, 1850, Fairfield Co, OH; d. February 22, 1911, Clarksburg, Shelby, IL.

12. iv. DEBORAH ELLEN COMPTON, b. October 26, 1852, Pickaway Co, OH; d. November 16, 1932, Clarksburg, Shelby, IL.

13. v. JOHN COMPTON, b. February 22, 1855, Holland Twp, Shelby, IL; d. January 04, 1916.

vi. DAVID COMPTON, b. September 10, 1857, Holland, Shelby, IL; d. April 08, 1859, Holland, Shelby, IL.

vii. NELSON COMPTON, b. September 05, 1859, Holland, Shelby, IL; d. February 17, 1860, Holland, Shelby, IL.

Notes for NELSON COMPTON:

Must have died as a child since he did not appear in the 1870 or 1880 census.

14. viii. ELIZA ELIZABETH COMPTON, b. August 31, 1861, Holland Twp, Shelby, IL; d. October 17, 1938.

ix. BARNABUS COMPTON, b. October 14, 1863, Holland, Shelby, IL; d. October 01, 1864, Holland, Shelby, IL.

x. SAMUEL MILLS COMPTON, b. May 10, 1866, Holland, Shelby, IL; d. October 12, 1883.

15. xi. ETTA JANE "ETTIE" COMPTON, b. September 15, 1869, Holland Twp, Shelby Co, IL; d. July 01, 1949, Jacksonville, Morgan, IL.

6. CHARLES³ COMPTON (JONATHAN², ISAAC¹) was born January 01, 1815 in Martinsberg, Berkeley, VA, and died October 11, 1886 in Holland, Shelby, IL. He married LOUISA SWOPE⁴ November 03, 1839 in Fairfield Co, OH⁴, daughter of DAVID SWOPE and MARY COLE. She was born July 28, 1821 in Amanda Twp, Fairfield, OH, and died August 07, 1859 in Shelby Co, IL.

Children of CHARLES COMPTON and LOUISA SWOPE are:

i. JONATHAN⁴ COMPTON, b. October 16, 1840, Amanda Twp, Fairfield, OH; d. May 26, 1862, St Louis, MO.

ii. THOMAS COMPTON, b. November 14, 1843; d. July 11, 1869.

iii. FRANCIS MARION COMPTON, b. April 24, 1845, Fairfield Co, OH; d. December 03, 1868.

iv. MARY JANE COMPTON, b. 1849, OH; d. 1932, IL.

16. v. CHARLES EDWARD COMPTON, b. October 08, 1850, OH; d. July 11, 1933, Clarksburg Twp, Shelby, IL.

vi. SARAH ELIZABETH COMPTON, b. December 16, 1852, Shelby Co, IL; d. March 31, 1881, Shelby Co, IL.

17. vii. LOUISA C COMPTON, b. November 11, 1855, Shelby Co, IL; d. May 13, 1915, Clarksburg, IL.

viii. INFANT COMPTON, b. March 19, 1857, Shelby Co, IL; d. March 22, 1857, Shelby Co, IL.

ix. TILLITHA COMPTON, b. June 30, 1859, Shelby Co, IL; d. July 12, 1859, Shelby Co, IL.

Generation No. 4

7. JOHN WILLIAM⁴ SMITH (ELIZABETH C³ COMPTON, JONATHAN², ISAAC¹) was born 1845 in VA, and died Bef. 1870 in Probably Saline Co, MO. He married MARY. She was born May 1846 in VA.

Notes for JOHN WILLIAM SMITH:

The family was living in MO in 1870, but John was not with them. They could not be found on the 1880 census.

Children of JOHN SMITH and MARY are:

18. i. DOLLIE E⁵ SMITH, b. June 1865, MO.

ii. ??? SMITH.

8. ELIZABETH JANE "BETTY"⁴ FORD (DEBORAH³ COMPTON, JONATHAN², ISAAC¹) was born 1836 in Berkeley Co, VA. She married JAMES MONTGOMERY WILHITE March 28, 1861 in Gilliam, Saline, MO, son of ELIAS WILLHITE and NANCY BAKER. He was born February 13, 1838 in Saline Co, MO, and died August 26, 1907.

Notes for JAMES MONTGOMERY WILHITE:

1880 -- Miami, Saline, Missouri

T9-0716, Pg 475A

J. N. WILLHITE Self M Male W 42 MO Farmer MO MO

E. J. WILLHITE Wife M Female W 44 VA House Keeper VA VA

N. WILLHITE Dau S Female W 17 MO At School MO VA

J. E. WILLHITE Son S Male W 15 MO Farming MO VA

W. E. WILLHITE Son S Male W 14 MO Farming MO VA

A. M. WILLHITE Dau S Female W 6 MO MO VA

James and Elizabeth were living at Marshall, Saline, MO in 1900.

Children of ELIZABETH FORD and JAMES WILHITE are:

i. SAMUEL⁵ WILHITE, b. Abt. 1862, MO.

19. ii. DORA WILHITE, b. February 18, 1863, MO; d. January 18, 1954, Los Angeles, CA.

20. iii. LONNIE WILHITE, b. October 29, 1864, Slater, Saline, MO; d. September 19, 1891, Slater, Saline, MO.

iv. JAMES A WILHITE, b. 1865, Slater, Saline, MO; d. December 29, 1872, Slater, Saline, MO⁵.

v. WILLIAM ELMER WILHITE, b. 1866, MO; d. 1905, Slater, Saline, MO.

vi. DAVID E WILHITE, b. August 19, 1871, Slater, Saline, MO; d. December 29, 1872, Slater, Saline, MO.

21. vii. AMELIA M WILHITE, b. November 30, 1873, Slater, Saline, MO; d. February 16, 1900, Saline Co, MO.

viii. MERTIE E WILHITE, b. August 26, 1878, MO; d. September 28, 1878, Slater, Saline, MO.

22. ix. MINNIE D WILHITE, b. Abt. 1880, MO.

9. JAMES BROWN⁴ FORD (DEBORAH³ COMPTON, JONATHAN², ISAAC¹) was born 1839 in Berkeley Co, VA. He married SALLIE J HILL May 28, 1867 in Saline Co, MO. She was born Abt. 1845 in MO.

Child of JAMES FORD and SALLIE HILL is:

i. FLOYD⁵ FORD, b. Abt. 1868, MO.

10. GEORGE⁴ COMPTON (JONATHAN³, JONATHAN², ISAAC¹) was born July 23, 1842 in Pickaway Co, OH, and died May 29, 1911 in Holland Twp, Shelby, IL⁶. He married (1) SARAH ELLEN "ELLA" CONNER February 18, 1864 in Holland Twp, Shelby, IL⁷, daughter of HORACE CONNER and MARY TERWILLIGER. She was born February 21, 1846 in Probably Huron Co, OH, and died May 05, 1876 in Holland Twp, Shelby, IL⁸. He married (2) MARTHA J BANNING April 17, 1877 in Holland, Shelby, IL⁹, daughter of ADOLPHUS BANNING and MALINDA SULLIVAN. She was born January 13, 1853 in IL, and died December 01, 1926 in Shelby Co, IL.

Notes for GEORGE COMPTON:

SOLDIER KILLED BY C & E I TRAIN

Geroge Compton on His Way to Unite for a Memorial Celebration

UPPER PORTION OF SKULL SEVERED

And Brains Scattered along Track ----

Apparently had Been Sitting on End of Ties.

Walking to Shelbyville to unite with comrades Tuesday in the Decoration Day exercises, George Compton, a lifetime resident of Holland township and a veteran of the civil war was run down by a northbound C & E I passenger train shortly before midnight Monday, and was instantly killed near the Mansfield crossing a mile southeast of the city. From the indications when the body was discovered Tuesday morning, the aged man was sitting on the end of the ties when the train approached him and had been struck fair in the back of the head by the pilot head of the locomotive. The entire of the top part of the skull had been severed as though with a surgeon's instrument though being still attached to the head by the scalp at the front. The body had been thrown a distance of ten or twelve feet and was lying at the side of the track, the face resting on the ends of the ties. The brains had been scattered along the track for a distance of twenty feet.

First Seen by Clarksburg Man

Mr. Compton's body was first seen by Charles Duckett of Clarksburg, who was passing in an automobile. When he reached Clarksburg, he reported the matter to the authorities in the city and about the same time the conductor of the ------ passenger train, that pass----- Shelbyville at 4 o'clock reported the matter from ----- Crook, Police ------ Tallman and others went to the scene of the tradgedy and Mr. Tallman who is acting as coroner owing to the death of Coroner Kensil, telephoned for Undertaker Burt Lantz who removed the body to his undertaking rooms in the city. Acting coroner Tallman empaneled a jury consisting of F D Crook, J H Horn, D Leslie Davis, J H Miller, George M Hudson and Henry Munson, who inspected the body, viewed the scene of the tragedy and adjourned until one o'clock this (Wednesday) afternoon when the inquest will be completed.

Left Home at 4 O'clock.

Mr. Compton had left his home near the Sylvan church shortly after 4 o'clock Monday afternoon, intending to walk to this city, stay over night with relatives and participate in the Decoration Day exercises on Tuesday. He was seen by several persons on the road, and was tottering along as though in a very weakened condition which is not strange considering the fact that he has been ill for a number of months. This was the first time he had attempted to come to town for three months. He was last seen by John H Yencer about ten o'clock Monday night and was then on the crossing where he was killed. It is presumed that he became utterly exhousted when he reached that point on his journey and may have been sleeping when he was run down by the train and lost his life without a moment's notice.

Had Been Despondent

Mr. Compton had been despondent at times for quite awhile -- In fact he had never quite recovered from the shock of the tragic death of three of his children who were drowned in the Okaw River while they, with Mr. and Mrs. Compton were trying to cross it at the Coplin ford some thirty years ago. Three of the four children that were in the wagon at the time were swept down the stream and lost, while Mrs. Compton saved the other by holding it aloft in her arms.

Was Highly Respected

Mr. Compton was highly respected by his neighbors and friends. He lived righteously , dealt justly and was unafraid to meet his maker. He is survived by his aged wife, three sons and one daughter. The sons are Cleo, Walter and Guy and the daughter is Miss May Compton. He was a half brother of Mrs. John Barbee of this city, Mrs. Henry Davis and Mrs. E A Ragan of Holland township and a brother of John Compton who resides with a son near Prairie Home.

Written below the article: (Also a son is Clyde Compton)

Notes for SARAH ELLEN "ELLA" CONNER:

Sarah Ellen Conner, died 5 May 1876 at age 30yrs 2ms 14ds. This

would put her birth date as 21 Feb 1846. She is buried in the Mt.

Carmel Cemetery near Shelbyville.

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This family is believed to be the family of Sarah's sister and her mother in the

1880 census at Cottage Grove, Lane, OR:

William BIDLER Self M Male W 31 OH Butcher PA PA

Eliza BIDLER Wife M Female W 25 IL Keeping House NJ NY

Alford BIDLER Son S Male W 7 KA OH IL

Ira BIDLER Son S Male W 3 CA OH IL

Mary CONNER MotherL Female W 55 NY Living With Son NY NY

(The name should be spelled Beidler)

Geo and Sarah's daughter, Mary wrote on her marriage application that her mothers maiden name was Bidler. Since her mother died when she was young she may not have known that it was Conner. Since her grandmother Conner was living with the Bidler's she assumed that was her mothers maiden name. In the late 1860's George and Sarah Compton and the three girls moved to Linn county, KS with Sarah's brother, Ira and parents. When the Conners and Beidlers decided to move further out west, George Compton moved his family back to Shelby county, IL.

Notes for MARTHA J BANNING:

OBITUARY

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Martha Banning Durst Compton was born January 13th, 1853, departed this life Dec. 1st, 1926 age 72 years, 10 months, 12 days. She was untied in marriage to George Compton April 19th, 1877, to this union were born seven children, namely, Lora E. Compton Lewis, deceased, Cleo V. Compton, Walter R. Compton of Decatur, May Compton West of Watson, Ill., Guy Compton, Clyde R. Compton, Easter Compton, deceased. I've been informed that sister Compton was converted some years ago at a meeting held at Sylvan Free Methodist Church, later united with the United Brethren Church at Clarksburg. She was a faithful, true and devoted companion and mother, who will be greatly missed by her children, many friends and relatives. She spent all of her life practically in Shelby county. She bore her illness with great patience and courage.

Mother dear has left us,

From Earthly care she's gone

Another link is missing in

A Family Circle, long.

In her elderly years,

She was gently called away

That she might reign with Christ

Under God's Immortal ray.

No more we'll see that face that

Smiled in elderly years,

Till her we shall meet