Joseph Crompton (17 January 1840 – 27 April 1901) was a vigneron, manufacturer and exporter who founded several companies in the early days of the colony of South Australia.
Crompton also established olive groves and set up businesses manufacturing soap, and exporting animal skins and plant resins to Britain.
He was born in Liverpool, England, the youngest of the four sons[1] of Woodhouse Crompton and his wife Lucy (née Fletcher).
After attending a boarding school in Knutsford[1] he decided to emigrate to South Australia in the hope of improving his health and making a fortune.
In Adelaide, he found employment working with Henry Septimus Clark in his capacity as engineer and secretary for the East Torrens District Council, and took over many of his duties, while forming a close friendship.
[3] Together with Henry Clark, Crompton established Stonyfell Vineyards in 1858,[2] and by 1862 he and Robert Slape had planted some 34 acres (14 ha) of vines and largely completed the two-storey cellars.
[5] According to Department of Mines records, there was a quarry opened in 1837 by James Edlin in the area, to supply slate and building stone.
[4] Joseph Crompton married (Susan) Mary Clark (28 February 1846 – 20 July 1932) at the Unitarian Christian Church in Wakefield Street on 8 May 1866.
[1][12] Mary Crompton worked with her sister Emily Clark on the boarding-out committee and succeeded her on the State Children's Council in 1906.