Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

The history of its farming interests is largely the history of Buena Vista county.  Iowa is preeminently an agricultural state and leads all other states in the production of corn, while other crops are almost equally as large.  More than a century ago George Washington said that agriculture is the most useful and most honorable occupation of man, and it is to this work that Charles Campton has always given his attention, being now engaged in cultivating his farm on section 26, Providence township.  He was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, October 19, 1859, and is a son of Abram and Emeline (Cannon) Campton, natives of Ohio and Dubuque, Iowa, respectively.  The father learned and followed the blacksmith's trade and on removing westward from Ohio became one of the pioneer settlers of Dubuque.  It was there that he learned his trade and through much of his life he has worked at the forge.  He removed from this state to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, casting in his lot among the early settlers, and there he is still living at the venerable age of eighty-two years.  His wife died in 1892, when about sixty-five years of age.  They were parents of eight children, three sons and live daughters, of whom seven are yet living:  Charles; Franklin; Elizaheth, the wife of Aaron Deno; Cordie, the wife of Walter Van Meter; Cora, the wife of Curtis Ooley; George; Lorine, deceased; and Lillie, the wife of John Van Meter.

No events of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farming life for Charles Campion in his boyhood and youth.  He was reared in Wisconsin and was early trained to habits of industry, economy and perseverance —habits which have been valuable in later years, bringing to him the success which he now enjoys.  He came to Buena Vista county, Iowa, in 1881, and bought a farm of eighty-acres, since which time he has purchased another eighty acre tract, on which his son now resides.  He has worked diligently and the well kept appearance of his place is an indication of his active and useful life.  He has made substantial improvements from time to time and has raised the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, giving careful attention to the cultivation of his fields, as to the time of planting', the nature of the soil required and the manner of harvesting the crops.

Mr. Campton was married in 1872 to Miss Georetta Heath, a daughter of James and Jane (Aver) Heath. Three children have graced this marriage:  Elvin, who married Rosa Anderson and lives on his father's farm; Myrtle, the wife of Thornton Layman and the mother of two children, Durlin and Zoe; and Geraldine, the wife of Thomas Householder and the mother of three children, Averill, Gail and Bernice.  Mr. Campton votes with the democratic party, but has neither ambition nor desire for public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, which are capably conducted and are bringing to him well merited success.  There has been nothing unusual in his history, but it is that of a man who has worked earnestly day after day, and by his business integrity and diligence has gained a place among the substantial citizens of Providence township.