Wilson Compton

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAHICAL ALBUM 

page 645, 646 

WILSON COMPTON.  This gentleman bears the distinction of owning and occupying the highest point of land in Spring Valley Township, Greene County.  He is recognized as one of its leading farmers, and has spent his entire life within its limits, having been born at his father’s old homestead, September 7, 1841.  The place lies a little over a mile east of Spring Valley, and forms one of the old landmarks which was built up from the wilderness by one of the earliest pioneers of this region.  The family has been long and favorably known in this county, and has contributed its full quota toward its growth and development. 

The subject of this notice is the son of Henry and Catherine (MOCK) COMPTON.  Henry COMPTON was born about 1798, in North Carolina.  In 1804 he came with his parents to Greene County, the journey being made overland with a wagon, and young COMPTON traveled on foot a large portion of the way.  The family settled near New Burlington-a half mile northwest of the place—and after his marriage Henry COMPTON and his young wife located a half-mile further West.  A few years later they moved to the one hundred-acre farm where their son Wilson was born.  The father proceeded with the improvement and cultivation of his land, clearing the timber and adding thereto until he became the owner of two hundred and two acres, and gave each of his children a farm. 

The father of our subject in his early manhood belonged to the old Whig party, and after its abandonment identified himself with the Republicans.  He, however, never aspired to office, being content to live the life of a private citizen.  He was first married to Miss Mary HORNER, by whom he became the father of three sons—Stephen, the first-born, died in Fayette County, where in company with his brother he purchased a large tract of land, they finally owning two hundred acres each; Ezra is now a resident of Fayette County, this State; the third son was Martin, who resides in the vicinity of Earlham, Iowa.  His second wife was Catherine MOCK, who was born December 29, 1810, on a farm adjoining that where her husband lived.  She was the daughter of John and Mary (HORNEY) MOCK, and of this union there were born three sons and one daughter, viz:  Eber, Amos M.; Cynthia, now the widow of James H. DAUGHERTY, of Xenia, and who was a manufacturer of Linseed oil; and our subject.  Henry COMPTON  departed this life November 20, 1879, at the old homestead in Spring Valley Township.  He was the son of Stephen and Dinah (MILLHOUSE) COMPTON, who were natives of North Carolina.  Grandfather COMPTON was a farmer, and came to this State in 1801, securing three hundred acres of land in Spring Valley Township, Greene County.  He was a Whig, politically, and lived to be over eighty years old.  His wife was of Scotch and Irish extraction. 

The subject of this notice was reared a farmer’s boy and attended the district school, remaining under the parental roof until removing to the farm which he now owns and occupies, this removal being made in November, 1889.  He is owner of the homestead and takes care of his mother.  In politics, he is a sound Republican, and in 1889 was elected real-estate appraiser of Spring Valley Township.  He was married January 10, 1867, to Miss Rachael A. GADDIS.  This lady was born near Harveysburg, Warren County, this State, July 8, 1844, and is the daughter of Allen and Rachael A. (MERSHON) GADDIS, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Kentucky.  The mother died about 1845, leaving two sons and a daughter—George, William and Rachael.  Mr. GADDIS was subsequently married and removed to Decatur, Ill., where he died November 8, 1865.  Mr. and Mrs. COMPTON are the parents of two children—Rosa G. and Birdie.  They are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The mother of our subject departed this life at his home, April 6, 1890.