James E. Campbell

As printed in 1894

HON. JAMES E. CAMPBELL, Governor of Ohio in 1890-92, and one of the most eminent men of the state, was born in Middletown, Ohio, July 7, 1843, being a son of Dr. Andrew and Laura P. (Reynolds) Campbell, the former of Scotch extraction, and the latter of English descent. Further mention concerning the family history will be found in the biographical sketch of Dr. Campbell, elsewhere presented. The maternal grandfather, John P. Reynolds, was at one time a publisher in New York State, and later became a leading citizen of Middletown.

The Reynolds family was for many generations identified with the history of Devonshire, England. From Plympton Earl, in that shire, Jonathan Reynolds emigrated to America in 1645, and on his arrival in this country, took up his residence near Plympton, in Plymouth Colony, now a part of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Governor Campbell is the sixth in line of descent from this original pioneer. After some time in Massachusetts, members of the family removed to Rhode Island and New York, where they are now numerous, as well as influential, holding important positions in state and national councils. Through the Reynolds family, his lineage is traced to John Parker, who commanded the American troops in the heroic struggle at Lexington at the beginning of the Revolution. Our subject’s paternal great-grandfather, Andrew Small, when eighteen years old went with Montgomery on the fatal expedition to Quebec, where he suffered untold miseries, but finally succeeded in effecting a return through Canada to the United States. Both grandfathers were soldiers in the War of 1812.

Governor Campbell gained his early education in the public schools of Middletown, and also conducted his studies under the preceptorship of Rev. John B. Morton, an early and successful teacher of that place, and for many years pastor of the Presbyterian Church. His studies completed, he taught school for a short time, employing his spare moments in the study of law.

In the summer of 1863, when the navy had been thoroughly organized in its various departments, and had won some of its most glorious victories, he became a master’s mate on the gunboats “Elk” and “Naiad,” serving on the Mississippi and Red River flotillas, and taking part in several engagements. However, the climate proving unhealthful, he was discharged from the service, returning home so attenuated as to be almost unrecognizable. As soon as he had sufficiently regained his former health, he resumed the study of law, being admitted to the Bar in 1865.

After having filled the position of bookkeeper for the First National Bank at Middletown, and also serving as Deputy Collector in the Internal Revenue Service of the Third District for eight months in Hamilton, under Gen. Ferdinand Van Derveer, the subject of this narrative entered upon the practice of law, in the spring of 1867. It was not long before his superior ability won for him public recognition. From 1867 until 1869 he was United States Commissioner. In 1875 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the county, and in 1877 was re-elected, serving four years altogether. In 1879 he was nominated for the Ohio State Senate, and the contest was very close, he being defeated by only twelve votes.

During the war Governor Campbell affiliated with the Republican party, and remained an adherent of its principles until the Greeley campaign of 1872, when, in common with thousands of others, he threw off the old party yoke and cast his ballot for Greeley and Brown. Since that time he has acted with the Democratic party, and has for years been one of its national leaders. Upon the party ticket in 1882 he was nominated for Congress, and his popularity was proven by the fact that he was elected, notwithstanding the large Republican majority usually given by the district. So efficient were his services that he was re-elected in 1884. There were few more influential and active members than he, and in that honored body he stood very high. He was Chairman of the Committee on Alcohol Liquor Traffic, but his most conspicuous services were on the Committee on the District of Columbia.

The campaign of 1886 was one of the most exciting in which he was ever engaged. Again the nominee of his party" for Member of Congress, the Republicans, in order to secure his defeat, “gerrymandered”'the district, adding Greene County, which had a large Republican majority. In spite of this fact, and in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, he gained the victory, though by a majority of but two votes. His services in Congress terminated in March of 1889, after a long, honorable and successful career. So prominent had he become in the councils of his party, that in 1889 he became the nominee of the Democrats of Ohio for the position of Governor, to which he was elected. January 1, 1890, he assumed the office of Chief Executive, and his service of two years added luster to the fame he had before achieved. In 1891 he was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by Governor McKinley.

As a campaign speaker Governor Campbell is known throughout the United States, and wherever his name is announced for a speech, thousands always gather to hear him, including not only his own party, but the opposing organization as well.

He has the respect of those who are his political opponents, and who, while differing with him in national issues, are one with him in desiring the welfare of the state and the progress of the nation. Financially prospered, he is connected with various commercial and manufacturing enterprises, and is the owner of valuable real estate. Though not at present following a general practice, he occasionally acts as attorney in important law cases in Washington, D. C., and other cities.

In 1870 Governor Campbell married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Job E. Owens, one of the pioneer manufacturers of Hamilton. They are the parents of four children now living, namely: Elizabeth, Andrew, Jessie and James.

Thus briefly have been pointed out the leading features in the life of one of Ohio’s most eminent citizens, and one who has made an honorable record both in public positions and private enterprises. Now in the full vigor of his mental and physical faculties, it may be safely predicted that the future years will bring to him added honors and emoluments from the hands of his fellow-citizens.

A LEM CLARK is an old resident of Reiley Township, and was born one mile east of his present residence, February 26, 1818. He has therefore seen the development of that part of the country, and has been identified with the interests of Reiley Township all his life. 1 1 is parents were Isaac and Catharine (Miller) Clark, the former a native of Madison, I nd., where lie was born in 1793, and the latter of the state of Pennsylvania, born in the same year.

About 1812, near Hamilton, our subject was married to his first wife, whose maiden name was Inyard. Three years afterward she died. They had two children, who died in infancy. Hecame to the township of Reiley in 1815 (having been married to the mother of our subject one year previously), and located on the farm where our subject was born. He remained here till 1850, when he moved to Hendricks County, Ind., where he died at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife died the year following. They were parents of twelve children, only six of whom are living. These are: Alfred, Daniel M., Ann Eliza (Mrs. Weir), Martha Jane (Mrs. Miller) and Nancy (Mrs. Fawcett). All with one exception live in Hendricks County, Ind. One died in infancy, and the rest reached maturity.

The early life of our subject was much the same as that of the pioneer boys Of his day. lie attended the pioneer schools, was brought up to agricultural pursuits, had the multifarious experiences incident to that occupation, and followed that business all his life. In 1841 he was married to Susan Ragsdall, who was born in Morgan Township, November 28, 1823. Her father was a native of Kentucky, and came here a short time before his marriage to Mary Jenkins, whose family were very early settlers in this county. She is a member of the same family as Wilson Jenkins, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Clark has ever been a straight Democrat in his political preferences, and has not failed to vote at a single election since 1841, and voted for Martin Van Buren in 1840. All of his family were of the same political persuasion, and earnest supporters of Democratic principles. He has never sought office, although urged to do so at different times. lie has steadfastly refused all such preferment, except in local township affairs, in which he felt a deep interest.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been the parents of four children. Mary Louisa is the eldest, and was born in 1841. She is now the widow of Jesse Beard, whose sketch appears in this work, and has one living child, named William. He is married and lives near his mother, where he has a large and valuable farm, inherited from his father’s estate. Alfred, the second child, died at the age of eighteen months. William Edgar was born March 6, 1849, married Mary Beard, and is located in Hamilton, where he deals in agricultural implements, vehicles and farm machinery. He has four children living. John died at the age of eighteen years. Jesse, Gracie, Clifford and Pearl are attending the Hamilton city schools. Henry Wilson, the youngest of the family, is a merchant at Scipio, Ohio, and is the Postmaster at Philanthropy. He was united in marriage with Laura Dare, a native of Franklin County, Ind. They have one child, named Lulu M. The sons are all Democrats and active in political work.

Mr. Clark began life poor, and has accumulated a large property, which has all come to him by close application to business and solely by his own endeavor, except for a small legacy from his father. His father was a poor man, and had about all he could do to rear his numerous family, and could not, under the circumstances, accumulate anyr property of value. Four generations ago the material ancestors of the Clark family came from Wales, and the paternal lineage is traced back to the time of the grandfather, who was a native of Maryland.

Mr. Clark is a hospitable, agreeable gentleman, whom it is a pleasure to meet. His good wife moves about her household duties in a quiet and orderly manner, and together they7 dispense a liberal hospitality with a generous hand. Mrs. Clark is an earnest Christian lady, and a worthy member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Clark is liberal toward all religious enterprises, and contributes of his means to all denominations, although not a member of any church. He believes in the practice of the Golden Rule, and is always ready to help the deserving of the race who are in any manner entitled to his favor.

As printed in Memorial record of Butler County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of representative citizens of the county together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.