Abner B. Campbell

As printed in 1912

ABNER B. CAMPBELL.

We should indeed be proud of the fact that there is no limit in this country to which natural ability, industry and honesty may not aspire. One born in the most unpromising surroundings and reared in the most adverse environment may, nevertheless, break from his letters and rise to the highest station in the country, and the qualities do not have to be of transcendent character to enable him to accomplish this result. It is more the way he does it and his skill in grasping the opportunities presented than to any remarkable qualities possessed by him. Accordingly it is found that very often in this country the leaders in political, business, professional and other lines of endeavor often possess no greater ability than thousands of others. They have simply taken better advantage of their opportunities than their fellows. And this truth runs through every occupation. The farmer who rises above his fellow tillers of the soil does so merely because he takes advantage of conditions which they overlook.

One of the successful agriculturists of Jasper county is Abner B. Campbell, of Independence township. He was born on the place and in the house where he now resides on June 2j, 1864, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools of his district. He has always followed farming, his fine farm of two hundred acres being under a high state of improvement and cultivation. In connection with general farming he makes a specialty of raising full-blood Duroc-Jersey hogs. He keeps the old homestead in ship shape in every respect.

The subject's parents, Allen D. and Nancy (Tramel) Campbell, were among the early settlers in Jasper county, having located in Independence township in 1852. The father was born in Ohio on February 23, 1827, and the mother in Indiana, September 17, 1830. They grew up and were married in the East, and they spent the last years of their lives in this county, the father's death occurring on August 25, 1899, his wife having preceding him to the grave on March 25, 1886. They became well established here through hard work and economy, developing a splendid farm from the wild prairie.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen D. Campbell, named as follows: Cynthia Caroline, born August 5. 185 1, died September 13, 1882; Francis William, born May 18, 1855, died April 26, 1856; James Alexander, born May 29, 1857. lives in Manning. Iowa; Mary Alice, born February 10, 1860, died December 16, 1889: Abner Beecher. of this sketch: Mrs. Iva Cora Rumbaugh, born June 2, 1870. lives in Independence township. These children were reared on the home place in this township, and they were educated in the local schools.

Abner B. Campbell, of this review, was married on October 28, 1906. to Anna Henning, who was born in Independence township, this county, on May 9, 1882, and she was educated in the local schools, having always lived in this community. She is the daughter of John George and Eva Barbara (Musig) Henning, both born in Germany, the father on November 20, 1848. and the mother on October 3, 1847. There they spent their earlier years, emigrating to the United States when young, and became residents of Independence township, Jasper county, Iowa, and here the father spent his remaining days, dying on May 30, 1905: the mother is living in this township.

There were five daughters and one son in the Henning family, namely: Maggie, born March 9, 1877, lives in Independence township: Katie, born

As printed in Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.