The Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois

April 1, 1922 - Saturday, pg 11, col. 6

 

Samuiel Compton was born in Seneca county, New York, March 4, 1836 and died in his home, 705 First Avenue, Rock Falls, Wednesday, March 29, 1922 at the advanced age of 86 years and 25 days.  He was one of the ten children of Jonathan Compton and Elizabeth Platt Compton.  When the father, Jonathan, died, the mother with her large family moved to Illinois and settled on a farm in Bureau county about the year 1850.  Samuel grew up on the farm and got a public school education but did not stop reading.  In course of time he earned the reputation of being an unusually well-read man.

 

Dec. 31, 1872 at Dixson, Ill., he married Miss Sarah Jane Evans of Ohio, Ill.  To this union were born five children, Elmer Compton, now living with his family at 406 First Avenue, Rock Falls;  LeRoy Compton, at Waukesha, Wis.;  Blanche E., who married Joseph U. Miller, living on the old home farm five or six miles south of Rock Falls;  Fred A.Compton, at home, 705 First Av., Rock Falls, and Bertha A.Compton who died in infancy.

 

Samuel and his wife, in 1878 moved from Bureau county to Whiteside county and settled on the farm in Montmorency township, five or six miles south of Rock Falls.  This farm was their home until the spring of 1916 when the aging couple moved to the present home.  Mr. Compton was not a member of any fraternal order, nor of any church.  He was a school director for some time.  He never aspired to public office or notoriety.  He was a quiet, retiring man of few words, never quarrelsome, but desirous of peace and good will in all his relations with his fellow men.

 

He was well-liked and universally respected.  In political matters he was an independent thinker and voter, voting for men rather than for party.  His interest centered in his family and home.  He was a good father and husband, providing well for the needs of his family and the education of his children.  He was industrious, showing good judgment in financial matters and in the general management of his farm.

 

Since coming to town to live six years ago, his health has gradually failed.  Last Sunday, Mar. 26, he took to his bed.  The accumulated burdens of many years had become too much for his long endurance.  He gradually grew weaker and at last quietly passed away about 10 P.M., Wednesday, March 29, 1922.  Full of years and labors that he wrought, Samuel Compton has gone to meet his Lord and as all of us shall sometime have to do, to give an account of his stewardship.  He is survived by his sorrowing widow, four children, five grand children, three brothers and two sisters, besides other relatives and many friends.  His brothers who survive him are, Henry Compton, John A. Compton, Sylvester Compton;.  His sisters still living are the Misses Mary and Ellen Compton.  All of the above five reside in Pasadena, Calif.