Lake County Biographies

J. C. Compton J. H. Compton

Ocala Banner, 2-27-1901

Through Schoolhouse Doors; A History of Lake County Schools. The Lake County Retired Teachers Assoc; 1982. pp. 353-355.

John Coleman Compton

John Coleman Compton was born June 20, 1853 near West Union, Ohio in Adams County. He obtained both the B.A. and B.S. degrees from Lebanon Normal College in Lebanon, Ohio. After teaching a few years in Ohio, he came to Florida in 1883 with the purpose of buying orange grove land for his brother, James H. Compton as well as for himself. This he did around Clermont.
When the county was organized he was chosen as the first county superintendent, which position he held for twenty-two years.
Many interesting stories he told of riding horse back from one small school to another sometimes even getting lost in the woods. He must have been familiar with every crossroad in the county.
In 1898 he married Mrs. Bessie B. Phillips, who was a prominent teacher in Lake County having come here from Missouri in 1892. She was at one time vice-president of the state teachers' association. Their only child is Jeanne, wife of Mode L. Stone, Tallahassee, Florida
When Mr. W. N. Sheats was elected State Superintendent of schools in 1913, he asked Mr. Compton to become his chief clerk. In fact, in the beginning there were only two of them in the office, but soon others were added to the staff. He remained in this office until 1939 when he retired.
In 1935 the Florida Education Association Journal wrote: "Many prominent persons still engaged in education work are past presidents of the association but in point of time they are all antedated by Mr. J. C. Compton, Chief Clerk in the office of the State Superintendent. Mr. Compton was president when the meeting was held in Tallahassee in 1899.
"He was then serving as Lake County's first superintendent which position began in 1887 and from which he resigned in 1909. Later, in 1913 he moved to Tallahassee.
"Reminiscing about the first meeting of the state association that he attended, which was in 1888, Mr. Compton says that he made the trip by train from Leesburg to DeFuniak via Jacksonville at a total cost of $4.00 for the round trip. There were lectures and entertainments by the Chautauqua talent and one or more addresses by State Superintendent Russell. There was also then, as now, a separate section for County Superintendents. Mr. Compton was the first County Superintendent to be elected to the presidency."
Even after retirement he maintained a lively interest in Lake County politics and all during his long residence in Tallahassee he voted the absentee ballot as a means of keeping in touch with his old home.
This quiet, sweet-spirited gentleman was mentally active and spry until his illness of a few months. He died on May 12, 1945, one month short of his ninety-second birthday.
John Coleman Compton's picture hangs in the Lake County Court House in Tavares, Florida. Mrs. and Mrs. Mode L. Stone and their three children were present for the unveiling cememony.
Jeanne Compton Stone

John C. Compton was born to Alexander & Jane Williams Compton on June 20, 1853, West Union, Adams County, Ohio, USA. He died May 12, 1945, Tallahassee, Leon County , FL, USA. He married Bessie Beauchamp in 1898.

Bessie Beauchamp Compton
Birth: May 11, 1862 - Death: Apr. 22, 1928
Wife of John C. Compton
Burial: Oakland Cemetery, Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, USA
John C. Compton
Birth: Jun. 20, 1853, West Union, Adams County, Ohio, USA
Death: May 12, 1945, Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, USA
Husband of Bessie Beauchamp Compton

His brother, James H. , came with him from Indiana in 1882/1883 to Cleremont, then a part of Sumter Co., Fl. J. H. built his home on Lake Minnehaha. He married Julia Darlington c 1874. J. C. moved to Leesburg.

Both became influential men in the new Lake County in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

History of Lake County, Florida; 1929
p. 23 Appointed by governor ... J. C. Compton, Clermont, Superintendent of Public Education.
p. 25. That Lake County men have served their State as well as their County may be shown... and J. C. Compton, of Clermont, Superintendent of Public Instruction.
p. 99. Clermont. Coming from Indiana in 1882, J. H. Compton and his brother, John C. Compton, took over the Hendry property. J. H. Compton later bought part of the Hooks holdings and planted a grove and erected his home on Lake Minnehaha, now known as the Featherstone property. He became President of the first bank in Clermont and, in later years, as a member of the County Court, rendered valuable service to his district. John C. Compton served as County Superintendent of Schools for twenty-two years, and is still living at Tallahassee as Chief Clerk of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
p. 103. ...and in 1913 organized the First State Bank, with J. H. Compton as President.
p. 131. Modern lake County. Schools. John C. Compton was chosen for the important office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and served faithfully for about twenty-two years.
p. 132. August 1887 ... J. C. Compton, Superintendent and secretary of the board.

Oak Hill Cemetery (Lot 11, blk C), Clermont, Lake County, Florida.
James H. Compton  1850 1925
Julia (Darlington) Compton 1851 1910 Wife of James H.
Bruce L. Compton  1880 1965
Elizabeth J. Compton 1880 1973 Wife of Bruce L.
Bruce D. Compton  4/4/1909 2/28/2005

Florida, Deaths, 1877-1939
Name: James H. Compton
Event Date: 05 May 1925
Event Place: Orlando, Orange, Florida
Gender: Male, Race: White
Age (Original): 75y 1m 5d
Birth Date: 01 Apr 1850
Birthplace: West Union, Ohio
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse's Name: Julia Compton
Father's Name: Alexander Compton
Father's Birthplace: Lexington, Va.
Mother's Name: Jane Williams
Mother's Birthplace: West Union, Ohio
Occupation: Fruit Grover, Retired
Address: 517 South East St.
Residence Place: Cleremont, Fla.
Burial Place: Clerement, Fla.
Burial Date: 08 May 1925