Charles Dudley Compton’s cremated remains were never taken after his death and are still available at Oregon State Hospital to be claimed by anyone who is related.

He was born in 1862 in Scio, Linn County, Oregon to James W. Compton and Malinda Sumpter (both born in Missouri). Some of his 14 siblings included George, John, Margaret, Henry, James, Albert, Emma, Thomas, Martha, Larkin and Otto. His father was a farmer.

Charles lived most of his life in Scio where he worked as a carpenter and farmer. On 11/18/1891 Charles married Rebecca “Jane” Arnold when he was 29. They had at least 7 children: George Lafayette, Otto, Lora Leta, Charles Otis, Richard, Clifford Clarence, Anna and Lucy. It is also believed they had a child who died in the 1890s.

In 1893 Charles filed a complaint against his wife’s brother, Andrew L Arnold. Charles requested an investigation of Andrew’s sanity. Andrew had burned down a neighbor’s barn. The commission determined Andrew was sane.

Although Charles was listed in the 1910 census with his wife and children. However Rebecca said he had deserted her and the children in 1906. She also said he had “dissipated” the money and acreage she owned when she first married him. Charles denied this.

In December 1910 Charles was drunk, fell off a sidewalk, and broke two ribs. In January 1914 he was arrested and charged with non-support of his wife. He and Rebecca divorced in 1922. On 10/10/1923 in Marion County he married Margaret McAllister who was born about 1864 in Oregon. They moved to Salem, Oregon. They lived in that area during the censuses of 1930 and 1940. In 1926 and 1929 while driving Charles was in significant car accidents.

On 9/30/1941, Charles was admitted to the Oregon State Hospital, a residential facility in Salem, Oregon for the treatment of people with mental illness. Since 1930 he had generalized arteriosclerosis which may have caused him to experience confusion and/or unusual behavior. A month after entering the institution he died of pneumonia at OSH. Although the Oregon list of unclaimed cremains indicates he died on November 4th, his death certificate says he died at 5 minutes after midnight on November 5th.

His father died in 1916 and his mother died in 1926. They were buried at the Franklin Butte Masonic Cemetery in Scio. Charles’ ex-wife, Rebecca, died in 1947.

Charles’ son George was born in 1892. He married Flora Stoakes and they had three daughters: Helen Jane, Dorris and Marilyn. George died on 4/1/1971 in Fresno, California.

Charles’ daughter Lora was born in 1897. She married Liston Darby. They had two children Liston, Jr. and Cloydene. Lora died in 1971.

His son Otis was born in 1899. He married Fay Starr. They never had children. Otis died in 1987.

Son Clifford was born in 1900. He married Merle Young and they had 4 children: Beverly, Bernice, Margaret and Clifford, Jr. Charles’ son Clifford died in 1989.

More information about the 3500 unclaimed cremains at OSH is available at http://www.oregon.gov/oha/amh/osh/pages/cremains.aspx A book by David Maisel and a documentary by Ondi Timoner & Robert James, both entitled "Library of Dust" also provide more information.