Bryon Crampton is deserving of mention in connection with the industrial interests of Covington, where he is successfully engaged in the manufacture of boilers, and also owns a sawmill which is operated by his sons. Each legitimate industry augments the commercial prosperity of a community and thereby adds to the welfare and happiness of the locality in which it is established. No longer is the history of a country a record of wars and conquests but an account of business enterprises, and the victories now won are those of mind over matter. Every energetic and resolute business man who conducts his enterprise with strict regard for the ethics of commercial life becomes a valuable factor in his community, and such a one is Mr. Crampton.

A native of Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, he was born on the 6th of December 1846, and is a representative of one of the old families of that locality. His grandfather, Joseph Crampton, was of Quaker faith and died near Richmond. His father, Jonathan H. Crampton, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, October 12, 1819. He acquired a good education and was a self-made man whose success in life resulted from his own efforts. He learned the carpenter's trade and in early life also carried on agricultural pursuits. He was connected with mercantile interests, as a dealer in dry goods and groceries, at Pennville, Indiana. Subsequently he engaged in contracting and building in Indianapolis, and eventually removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, becoming actively identified with the building interests of that city. Many substantial structures, both in the Hoosier and Badger states, stand as monuments to his thrift and ability. He died in Grand Rapids, March 1, 1888. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Sarah J. Dunham, was born in Lebanon, Ohio, and was a daughter of Joseph Dunham, an Indian agent at Logansport, Indiana. He was there stationed during the Indian wars and acted as commander of some troops. He was of English descent and belonged to the same family as Lord John Dunham. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crampton were Born eleven children, namely: Joseph, who died in 1860; Samuel, who died in Richmond, Indiana; Byron; Mrs. Dunham, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Abraham, who died in childhood; Ann, wife of William Fowler, who is living near Logansport, Indiana; Mary, wife of Henry Myers, of Indianapolis; John, also of Indianapolis; William of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Charles, of Detroit; and Augusta, who died when about twenty-four years of age.

Byron Crampton, whose name forms the caption of this article, acquired his preliminary education in the common schools and later pursued his studies in Greenmount College. His father, a very intelligent man, gave him every opportunity possible to secure an education, moving his family to the town for the winter months in order that his children might have the superior advantages of graded schools. The parents were of the Quaker faith and in consequence opposed to war, so when fifteen years of age Byron Crampton ran away from home in order to enlist in Company A, Thirty- Sixth Indiana Infantry. His father, however, went to Indianapolis and compelled him to return Home, but the spirit of patriotism burned bright within his breast and he was resolved to be a soldier. Again he ran away from home this time joining Company G, Seventy-First Indiana Infantry. He managed to serve that time for nineteen months when his father again compelled him to leave the army. While at the front, however, he had gained considerable knowledge of military life and its experiences, having been taken prisoner at Rich Mountain. Later he was paroled and returned home where he aided in raising Company L for the Sixth Indiana Cavalry. He was promised the first lieutenancy of the company, but unfair treatment deprived him of this honor. For some time he served on detail service in the quartermaster's department in Indianapolis, and then was taken to his home by his father. He remained for two months, when once more he offered his services to the Union, joining Company I, Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry, as a private for three years. He received a detailed permit as drill master and served in that capacity for eight months, after which he joined his regiment at Dalton, Georgia, remaining with that command throughout the Georgia campaign. He participated in twenty-six different engagements, including the battles of Richmond, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Neal Dow Church, or Culp's Farm, Peach Tree Creek, in front of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. His regiment was discharged in June, 1865, but he was transferred to Company K, Fifty-Seventh Indiana Infantry, and was on duty in Texas until discharged at Victoria, that state, on the 14th of December, following.

When the country no longer needed his services Mr. Crampton returned to his home and began work as a machinist and boilermaker. His father operated a woolen mill, and prior to going to the front Mr. Crampton was employed in the mill except when attending school. After his return from the war he was employed for a time as a railroad engineer until his marriage, which occurred in October, 1867. He then removed to a farm, but after spending one year in agricultural pursuits he accepted a position as foreman of the woolen mills at Connersville, owned by P.H. and F.F. Root. Subsequently, he came to Covington, where he worked for one year in a woolen mill and then spent four years in the hub and spoke factory. On the expiration of that period he established and for one year operated a soap factory. Later he purchased and operated a threshing machine, and has since engaged in that line of business in connection with his boiler-making shop, on the corner of South Main and Bridge streets. He is also agent for the Brownwell Company of Dayton, manufacturers of steam engines, boilers and sawmills, and is agent for the Superior Gas Engine Company of Springfield, Ohio. He has built up an excellent trade and his patronage is steadily and constantly increasing.

In October, 1867, Crampton was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Bottorff, of Covington. She was born March 17, 1847, in Darke county, Ohio, a daughter of Henry Bottorff, who was born in Pennsylvania. He followed blacksmithing for a trade in Darke county, but during the girlhood of Mrs. Crampton he came to Covington. In her maidenhood his wife was Mary Ingle, better known as Polly Ingle. She was a daughter of Captain John Ingle, who served in the War of 18l2. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children, namely: Dora and Dona, twins, the former the wife of Lieutenant H.E. Finfrock, an officer in the Spanish- American war, and the latter the wife of William Finfrock; Oscar, who was accidentally killed when sixteen years of age; Warren B., who married Cora B. Aspinall; William, who is at home; and Mamie, wife of Lewis C. Neth.

The home of the family is a very commodious and pleasant residence, which was erected by Mr. Crampton in 1888. He is a member of Langston Post, G.A.R., of Covington, and has served as its chaplain. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and for two years has served as a member of the Republican county central and district committees, doing all in his power to insure the success of his party. A member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he has served as assistant superintendent of the Sunday school for seven years, and at all times gives his support and co-operation to every movement calculated to prove a benefit to the community along social, material, educational and moral lines. He is as true to-day to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the old flag upon the battlefields of the south. The indomitable determination which he showed when the country was in danger and he felt that his services were needed at the south has characterized his entire career, and has led to his success in business affairs.