 Mary K. Finney & Stuart Compton 1945 | April 6 & 13, 2017 Episodes. It is certainly rare these days to have a legacy of the same trade through four or five generations, let alone strengthening that association by marrying into a family also involved in the same trade. It is also becoming rare to see a devoted marriage of almost 70 years. But that is exactly the legacy of Stuart and Mary K. Compton. |  Mary K. & Stuart Compton 2017 |
Stuart told us of his family's early arrival in Boston c1634, with one branch later moving to the Liberty, Missouri, area where they were merchants, and another "wilder" branch heading off to the Santa Fe, New Mexico, area as itinerant traders. The Civil War caused another relocation for the Missouri folks, this time to Boise, Idaho. Stuart's father, Henry V. Compton, is the beginning of their Oregon story, arriving in the early 1900s. Mary K.'s family also ended up in Boise, Idaho, coming there from Minnesota and Missouri, and then later settling in Hood River, Oregon. Another example of "small world" coincidences, don't you think?
 Ladd & Bush Bank, 1891 |  Pioneer Trust Building, c1909 |  Pioneer Trust Building, 1924 |
Henry V. Compton, Stuart's dad, was a stockholder in the Ladd & Bush Bank formed in 1869 by William Ladd and Asahel Bush--the Bush House/Bush's Pasture Park family known so well here in Salem. The bank grew and added a trust division run by his son A.N. Bush in 1924. In 1940, Henry negotiated the sale of the commercial banking side of the business to US National Bank, and then he and A.N. relocated the independent trust company business, renamed Pioneer Trust Company, across Commercial Street to the northwest corner at State Street (the 1909 US National Bank Building), where the Compton men--Henry, Stuart, sons Michael and Randy--have managed its operations ever since.
 Naval Seaman Stuart, 1945  Mary K. and the Yellow Chevy, Spring 1945 | During the war years, Mary K. worked with her father in a bank in Hood River where she was very active in the sales of war bonds. She has strong feelings about the Japanese internment act that impacted over half the students in her high school. In 1945, Stuart & Mary K. met at Oregon State University where Mary K. was studying business and Stuart was in the Navy ROTC program. They often spent time at the Compton family home at 1010 Summer Street NE in Salem. |  Stuart, OCS 1946  Stuart & Mary K. at Compton Home, 1010 Summer St., 1946 |
Mary K.ay shared her memories of their married years in Salem, including the 1959 Centennial Ball where attendees dressed up in period costumes to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Oregon's statehood. There were lots of parades in Salem, with the Royal Cherrians always appearing in their white suits and straw hats.
Family and community involvement have always been strong parts of their lives. Stuart told us several stories pertaining to the Columbus Day storm of 1962 that struck Salem while he and friends were out of town and their futile efforts to check on their families and get themselves back to Salem to assess the damage. Things seemed to be under control at home, but the roof on the Pioneer Trust building was rolled up, requiring several men to push it over the side into the street below. He shared many other anecdotal events as well, all punctuated by his dry humor.
Stuart was involved with the Sewer Committee in 1955 (pretty necessary when your home was near the bottom of the hill), the Planning Commission, the Salem Hospital board, and numerous other organizations over the years. Mary K. was actively involved in numerous community organizations as well. They are quite proud of their involvement in the life of Salem--"we made a difference." Their tradition of service is now carried on by their sons. Kudos, Stuart and Mary K, for being the example that you have been and continue to be for your family, along with the rest of us here in Salem.
Stuart was involved with the Sewer Committee in 1955 (pretty necessary when your home was near the bottom of the hill), the Planning Commission, the Salem Hospital board, and numerous other organizations over the years. Mary K. was actively involved in numerous community organizations as well. They are quite proud of their involvement in the life of Salem--"we made a difference." Their tradition of service is now carried on by their sons. Kudos, Stuart and Mary K, for being the example that you have been and continue to be for your family, along with the rest of us here in Salem.
 Baby Stuart, with mother Vera & sister Barbara, 1928 |  Mary K. & Stuart Compton, 50th Anniversary, 1997 |  Mary K. Finney, Hood River, 1928 |
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