Crampton, John

CRAMPTON, SMITH, WARREN

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 4/15/2003 at 18:40:14

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

JOHN CRAMPTON.

Classed among the successful and enterprising farmers and stock raisers of Eden township is John Crampton, who is the owner of a well-improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section sixteen. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 3, 1839, a son of William and Mary (Smith) Crampton, who were natives of the same shire and continued to make their home there until after the birth of all their children. It was in 1852 that the family emigrated to America, crossing the ocean from Hull to New York on a sailing vessel, which made the voyage in little over four weeks. Arriving in this country in the spring of that year, they came at once to Clinton county, Iowa, and the father had purchased forty acres of land near Elvira, in Eden township, through Mr. Dannatt. After building a small house for the accommodation of his family, he set to work to break the land with ox teams, while his sons worked out. He broke many acres of wild land, and as he prospered in his new home he added to his landed possessions until he had over a section of land which was well improved with good buildings. At his death he was one of the most thrifty and prosperous farmers of his locality.

The subject of this sketch was a lad of twelve years when he came to this county, and he assisted in opening up and carrying on the home place, giving his father the benefit of his labors until twenty-five years of age. In March, 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Warren, who was also born in Lincolnshire, England, and there spent her girlhood. By this union seven children were born who are still living, namely: George, a farmer of Eden township; Charles, a farmer of DeWitt township; David, who is engaged in farming with George; and Walter, Fred, Anna and Clara, all at home. John died in 1901 at the age of twenty-eight years; and Minnie married Arthur Wall and died in May, 1901; and two died in infancy.

For about a year after his marriage Mr. Crampton remained on the old homestead, and then remained on the old homestead, and then removed to the farm where he now resides, owning at that time one hundred and twenty acres, but he has since extended the boundaries of the farm until they now contain three hundred and twenty acres, upon which he has built a commodious house and barn, together with other buildings, and has also set out fruit, shade and ornamental trees. In connection with the operation of his farm, Mr. Crampton is engaged in breeding and raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle, of which he now has a fine herd of eighty, and he feeds about two car-loads of stock for market each year. He is a progressive and up-to-date farmer, and is meeting with marked success in his labors.

Politically Mr. Crampton is a stanch supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party, and takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. He served two years as school director and as road supervisor two terms. His wife was reared in the Lutheran faith and is now a member of the church of that denomination at Elvira. He attends church with her and assists in its support, although he is not a member of any religious body. He is a man who commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, either in business or social life, and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends.