Albert Compton retires from Owens-Illinois

Compton Retires From Local

Glass Plant After 58 Years

FIFTY-EIGHT years ago, a young man of Delaware Coun­ty with all of nine worldly years under his belt, started to work in a factory which is now Plant 86 of the American Structur­al Products Company, a subsidiary of Owens-Illinois Glass Company. At that time, the plant belonged to the Hemingray Glass Company. The young man, known as Bert by the plant people and many folks in Muncie and Delaware County, bore the full name of Albertus D. Compton.

After this long span of service, for which plant old-timers cite him as "an example of a faithful employe," he officially retired last month, receiving his retirement certificate and the best wishes of his fellow-workers at an informal party held at the plant.

IN ALL HIS YEARS, Bert was never known to be late and never known to be absent except when due to personal illness or death within his immediate family.

Bert was born on December 9, 1883, near Selma. When he was five years old, the family moved to Muncie and Bert has been here ever since.

His first job with Hemingray Glass, was as a “carry-in” boy in the forming department. In his time, he did practically all of the jobs in the old hand shop, with the exception of "gathering."

WHEN MACHINERY was in­stalled, Bert worked as a "sorter" and "lehr puller." Shortly after Owens-Illinois purchased the plant in 1933, he was transferred to the warehouse and shipping foreman, the positron he held until his recent retirement.

Today, with his wife, the former Margaret Traub, also from Delaware County, Bert can be found at home at 1111 E. Sixth St., "Just resting," as he puts it. At home with him are three of his four children. William, 18, works at Delco-Remy; Margaret, 19, is employed at the Federal Loan Co., and Mary, 22, works at Merchants Trust Co. John, 21, is in the army and is stationed at Ft. Jackson, S. Carolina.

Speaking of Plant 86 and Muncie, Bert said, “All of my friends are here." Those who know Al­bertus D. Compton, are proud to be called his friend. They salute him for a job well done and wish him well in the "take-it-easy” life which is now his.

Bert Compton, recently retired warehouse and shipping foreman at American Structural Products Co., is seen cutting the cake at an informal plant party in his honor. Looking from left to right, are John Bauer, plant manager, Joe Sheridan, shipping supervisor and Minot Holmes, manager of insulator sales. Bert had 58 years of service with the company.