Eli Compton (1923)

COMPTON, BARNETT, PICKETT, CROWL, BENNETT, DAY, STUBBS, BOGGESS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/19/2014 at 15:40:16

Earlham Echo – Earlham, Iowa
March 29, 1923

At the twilight hour of the Sabbath day on March 25, 1923, the spirit of Eli Compton peacefully reared from the known to the unknown.

Eli Compton was born in Marion County, Indiana, January 15, 1833. He was the son of Joshua and Olive Compton. He was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the common schools. Upon attaining his majority, he came to Iowa and located in Dallas County in 1855. He was married to Anna J. Barnett who came to Dallas county in the fall of 1855. This union was blessed with seven children, one son, and six daughters, all of whom, together with his faithful lifelong companion, one remaining brother, seventeen grandchildren, and one great grandchild, survive him except one daughter Evelyn Boggess whose death occurred June 13, 1919. Those of the children remaining to mourn the loss are: Ruth C. Pickett, Elmer M. Compton, Emma O. Crowl, Olive Bennett, Sydna C. Day and Hattie Stubbs, Mason City.

The entire family celebrated the 50th anniversary of these beloved parents, June 22, 1912.

Eli Compton was intensely interested in all educational matters, and the old homestead on which was located the widely known Center school house, Union township, furnished him suitable opportunity to acquire habits of toil, and a love of out-of-doors, which became a permanent characteristic of his life; for he was continually looking for something for his hands to do even as he approached his 80th birthday.

He was a man who worshipped God, was faithful in his duty toward the church and Sunday school and was a life long member of the Friends church. In the truest sense, he was loyal to his home and family, taking an active part along educational lines, especially in his own neighborhood, filling responsible positions covering a period of over thirty years. The above mentioned Center school house is on a plot of ground, donated by him for the purpose, from a portion of the old homestead.

He had faith in his fellowmen, did his share of the work of the world, lived economically, gave not grudgingly, but according to his means, dependable in business transactions, and once having made friends, he kept them. He was ever to be relied upon, to give support to every cause for the betterment of the community, spiritually and morally.

He has left in a life, well lived, and in his godly example and testimony, a heritage of greater worth to his children, than one of silver or gold.

Funeral services for Mr. Compton were held Sunday afternoon at Bear Creek Church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Alvin Hoskins, and interment was in Bear Creek cemetery.