My Genealogy Hound

James W. LeCompte, a well-to-do farmer residing one and one-half miles west of Cassville, Mo., was born in Macon County, Mo., in 1848. He is a son of Elias and Margaret J. (Onan) LeCompte, of French and Irish origin, respectively. The paternal grandfather was a native of France. Elias LeCompte was born in Henry County, Ky., in 1819, and was reared on a farm in his native State. He also married there, after which, about 1843, he immigrated to Macon County, Mo. In 1860 he removed to Vernon County, and in 1868 came to Barry County, where he died about thirty days later, in December, 1868. His wife was born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1820. She is still living, and is the mother of thirteen children, of whom seven are living. They are Celia E. (wife of Amos C. Steadman, of Newton County, Mo.), James W., Mary E. (wife of D. E. Simes, of Paint Rock, Tex.), Walter T. (a livery man of Peirce City, Mo.), Jewett, Emma (wife of Dr. D. C. Overton, of Barry County) and Elias L. (a stock dealer, of Concho County, Tex.). James W. grew up on the farm, making his home with his mother until he was twenty-six years of age. In 1874 he married Jane Ault, a daughter of Thomas Ault, and to them have been born six children: Walter R., Hattie, Keet, Norman, Jewett E. and Gus R. Mrs. LeCompte was born in East Tennessee in 1853. In 1869 Mr. LeCompte became a resident of Barry County, Mo., and in November, 1872, was elected sheriff of the county, on the Democratic ticket. During his service as sheriff he was appointed county collector, and in 1873 he filled both offices. In 1874 he was elected collector, and re-elected in 1876. In 1878 he was appointed county treasurer and served two years, thus forcibly illustrating his fitness for public office and the confidence reposed in him by his constituents. In 1881 he engaged in merchandising in Cassville, in partnership with John M. Bayless and others, under the firm name of J. M. Bayless & Co. Mr. LeCompte purchased 156 acres of land adjoining Cassville on the north, and in 1882 laid out the addition known as LeCompte’s addition. In 1885 he purchased 340 acres one and one-half miles west of Cassville, on which he settled, and which is his present home. He has a fine farm, on which are first-class improvements, and he is one of the substantial citizens of the county. Mr. LeCompte is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic orders, being a Master Mason. His wife is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.