George Compton
My Grandfather, George Compton, was born on Front Street, Parish of Passenham,
Deanshanger, England, 10 May 1846, to Elizabeth Andrews and James Compton. He
had two brothers, Oliver and Albert, and two sisters, Sarah Anne and Eliza.
He was baptized by William Cull in 1865, the only one in his family to join the
church.
When a small boy, Father often wandered down by a small creek and enjoyed
himself catching pike fish.
Before he was in his teens, he worked for neighboring farmers.
He had little actual schooling as it became necessary for him to leave school
before he was even able to write his own name. Father received most of his education
in "The School of Life" and in real experiences. He learned to be an excellent speller
and reader through diligently studying pieces of newspapers, that he had found and
saved. He would carry these pieces of newspaper home. In the evenings in front of
the fireplace, he would spell and sound out the words. Whenever he had any spare
time he would study.
While still in his teens, Father became a stationary engineer at Wolverton
Station which is a foundry in Deanshanger. With the money he earned, he helped
support his younger brothers and sisters because his father drank heavily. Father
worked at this shop until he was twenty-two years of age. At that time he decided to
leave his home in England, because of economic and religious reasons, and come to
America. His decision to leave was partly through the influence of Joseph and Thomas
Durrant.
On the 29th of June 1868, he boarded the ship Minnesota, knowing he would
never see his family or friends again. After praying and singing by the passengers, the
Minnesota set sail for America.
The weather was clear and the sea was beautiful. About the fourth day out at
sea, Father became sea sick, but was soon well again. He saw several large icebergs
and whales at sea.
At daybreak, on the 12thday of July 1868, the Minnesota steamed into New
York Harbor. From New York, Father traveled to Castle Garden's and boarded a ferry
boat which took him to the Hudson River Station. From there he boarded the New
York Central train and arrived at the Great Western Station, Canada, at half past eight
in the evening. He passed by the famed Niagara Falls in the evening and arrived at
Camden, Canada, at 8:00 p.m .. South of Camden was the Great Canadian Swamp,
which was fifteen miles long. After passing the swamp, he crossed the Detroit River in
a ferry boat, then traveled on the Michigan Central Railroad, through MiChigan then to
Chicago, lIJinois. From there Father boarded the Chicago and Northwestem train, and
arrived at Council Bluffs, Iowa at midnight. Leaving Council Bluffs, he crossed the
Missouri River in a ferry boat the Irene to Omaha. Father boarded the train at the
Union Pacific station in Omaha, Nebraska. While riding on the train, he saw a large
prairie fire, the first he had ever seen. He had a real surprise when he saw a band of
Indians at Willow Island.
He arrived at Fort Laramie on the 22 of July, this was an important fort in
history. This was as far as the railroad extended at that time. The confluence of the
river called the Laramie, with the Platte River, was the site where Old Fort Laramie was
built. The walls of the fort were made of adobe or sun dried bricks, approximately 130
feet square. In 1849 the fort was sold to the United States Government, and barracks
for the military were established.
The next stopping place after leaving Fort Laramie was Fort Bridger, built in
1843 by James Bridger, one of the noted scouts and frontiersmen of the Rocky
Mountains. Fort Bridger was one of the best fortified forts of the West, it was a block
fort at one branch of the Green River. It was located in a beautiful little valley. Willows
and cotton woods fringed the streams for miles. The fort was built in the usual form of
pickets, lodging apartments and offices opening into a hollow square, protected from
attacks from without by a strong timber gate. Leaving this picturesque little fort, Father
started to cross the plains with a company on 24th July. They traveled about twenty
miles a day. The sun was hot and the air sultry, the country was flat all around him
and he could see for miles.
While fording the South Platte River, one of the company, a young man
seventeen years of age was drowned. He was the only support of his blind mother.
On the night of August 4th, the company camped at Whiskey Gap, Wyoming.
Some of the men took the horses and mules to the river to water them. All at once the Indians who had hidden themselves in the bushes came out whooping and waving
buffalo hides to frighten the animals. The Indians were successful in their plan and
drove off most of the animals (about 47). As they were doing this, the camp leader
realized what was happening and shouted, "look to your animals, boys, look to your
animals!" Too late! The thieves sped away driving the best animals in head of them.
Upon looking around, several horses were found that had been left behind and were
good runners. Several men jumped on these and started after the Indians. Much later
these men returned, not only with the animals that belonged to the camp, but also
those that belonged to the Indians. No matter how much they were questioned, or who
questioned them, they would not tell what they had done to the Indians. Everyone
figured they had killed them. That night smoke signals were seen on the surrounding
hills. The leader of the company wagon train understood the signals and moved his
company out immediately, traveling all night.
Independence Rock, the Great Register of the desert, was the next stopping
place. The name of the rock was given it by a party of trappers who in the early history
of the trail, ascended the rock and held services in honor of Independence Day.
The company passed Sweet Water, named Eau Sucre or Sugared Water, by a
French trader, from the fact that at one time a pack of mules, laden with sugar, was
lost in the stream. From Sweet Water, the company passed Pacific Springs, one of the
highest altitudes in America.
While crossing the Green River, six boys from were drowned. This river is very
deceiving. The under current of the river is much swifter than the top current. The
company forded Ham Fork, passed the Muddy River in Wyoming and forded the Bear
River
They entered Echo Canyon and from there the company traveled through
Coalville, Wanship, Parleys' Canyon and arrived at Emigration Canyon on August zo"
"As they gazed with wonder and admiration upon the vast valley before them, it
seemed to be clothed in a heavy garment of vegetation, and in the middle was the
glistening salt water of the Great Salt Lake. Snow capped mountains towered into the
skies, crystal clear streams were winding from one foothill to another. After crossing
the great prairie where there was no sign of civilization or cultivation, this valley
seemed like a paradise."
Thus ended Father's journey from England to Utah in 1868. Most of the
preceding account was taken from father's diary.
1868.
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The following was taken from George Compton's diary, Journal of Events for
Guion Line of Steam ships, Minnesota.
Left home at 6 a.m., arrived at Liverpool at half past 8. Loaded at half
past 10 p.m.
Prayers and singing at half past 11, steamed off at half past 3. All well.
Clear weather. Arrived at Queenstown at half past 12. Started out at 2.
All well.
All well. Beautiful scenery.
All well. Ditto. Fine weather.
Rather sickly.
Ditto. Fine weather.
Saw a large whale. All well.
Saw three large icebergs.
Saw hundreds of grampus fish.
Passed several vessels.
All Well.
Pilot came on board. Passed John Bright.
Land in sight at daylight, arrived at New York at 10 a.m.
Came off the Minnesota 11 a.m. Arrived at Castle Gardens half past 11
a.m. Started from Castle Gardens in a ferry boat at half past four.
Arrived at Hudson River Station at 6 p.m.
Very hot. Started by train at four o'clock. Passed through Albany at 1
p.m. Started on New York Central at 3 p.m.
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Arrived at Great Western Station at half past 8 a.m. Passed the Niagara
Falls at evening. Arrived at Camden, 8 a.m. Crossed a Canadian
swamp 15 miles long. Arrived at Detroit River. Crossed in a ferry boat at
half past 3 p.m. Started on the Michigan Central at half past 5 p.m.
Passed through Michigan.
Arrived at Chicago. Stayed all night.
Started on the Chicago and Northwestern at half past 11 a.m.
Arrived at Council Bluffs at 12 to night.
Started from Council Bluffs at 5 a.m. Arrived at Missouri River at 6 a.m.
Crossed the Missouri River in the ferry. Six of the company sun struck.
Boat Irene to Omaha. Stayed in Omaha till evening. Started on the
Union Pacific Railroad at 5 a.m.
Prairie on fire. 18 wagons going past. Passed a band of Indians at
Willow Island. Saw a large number of prairie dogs.
Saw a large number of Indians and ponies. Camps, prairie dogs at 8528
feet above level of the sea. Arrived at Fort Laramie 3 p.m.
Stayed in camp.
Started on the plains at 9 a.m.
Traveled 20 miles.
All well.
Ditto.
Forded South Platte River. Young man age 17 drowned. He was the
only support of a blind mother.
Went out shooting game.
Saw large numbers of antelope. Ditto.
Saw two buffaloes.
Very sandy and hot.
Indians stole 47 mules. Got them back and killed the two Indians at
whiskey Gap.
Passed through Whiskey Gap.
Struck the Sweetwaters. Indians hostile.
George Compton started working on the Union Pacific Railroad, August 31,
1868 for Sharp and Young. At this time the railroad was being constructed through
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August 31:
Rather sickly.
All well. Stopped at Pacific Springs. The highest altitude in America.
Very cold.
Passed the Sweetwaters mines.
Passed railroad camps.
Ditto.
Crossed Green River in a ferry boat. Six boys from Sanpete County
drowned.
Forded Ham Fork.
Passed the Muddy River, Wyoming
Arrived at the Great Basin. Forded the Bear River.
Passed over the rim of the Great Basin.
Passed through Echo Canyon.
Passed through Echo City. Also Coalville.
Passed through Wanship and Parley's Park.
Passed over the summit. Arrived at Salt Lake City at half past 3 p.m.
Started from Salt Lake City at 8 p.m. Camped at Kaysville.
Started from Kaysville on foot. Arrived at Morgan City at 6 p.m.
Stayed at Thomas Adams'.
Visited the Deanshanger folks.
Stayed at Morgan City.
Stayed at William Morris's.
Went up to Thomas Adams'.
Went out shooting.
Stayed at Thomas Adams'.
Wrote a letter home.
Started work on the Union Pacific Railroad for Sharp and Young.
Morgan County. It was a blessing for the people of Morgan. The pay was $10.00 a
day for man and team to pickup ties in the canyons around the Richville area and haul
them to where the tracks were being laid.
George met Eliza Durrant Ursenback, a friend he had known in England. She
was a widow with two children, Octave and Sarah Jane. George and Eliza were
married November 18, 1873. They lived in Morgan for about seventeen years. She
was ill with a heart disease for quite a few years, then died January 8, 1890 in Morgan.
He married _Caroline Ager on December 23, 1890. They were the parents of
eight children.
GO TO LIBRARY TO READ EARLY - LIFE HISTORY OF CAROLINE AGER COMPTON
1. Front Street
George Compton was born on this street
2~ The stone just above the small
3. none
40 none
ink mark on the left of the picture
is the stone to Jesse Compton and
Compton
his 1fife,Catherine Elizabeth Goode
50 Grandma 1ives about 20 yards down the
lane where the arrow is poantang , X
is the manor houseo (We donlt know
which grandmother this isll)
1-
