James S. Campbell

As printed in 1906

JAMES S. CAMPBELL.

James S. Campbell well deserves mention among the representative citizens of Henry county because of an active business life, untiring devotion to the general good and also by reason of the possession of those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime command respect and confidence. He those as a life work the occupation of farming, following it successfully for a long period and is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned ease.

Mr. Campbell was born in Ashland county, Ohio, June 4, 1828, a son of Robert and Margaret (Archibald) Campbell. The father was born January 26, 1800, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and the mother's birth occurred in the same county on the 16th of June, 1806. Following the occupation of farming as a life work Robert Campbell devoted his attention to that pursuit first in Pennsylvania and afterward in Ashland county, Ohio, subsequently in Henry county, Iowa, becoming a resident here on the 15th of May, 1865. He purchased a farm and his attention was devoted to its further development and cultivation up to the time of his demise, which occurred June 17, 1877. He had for about five years survived his wife, who did November 30, 1872, their remains being interred in Pleasant Hill cemetery. Both were devoted members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Campbell gave his political allegiance to the democracy. He held several township offices but his energies were more largely concentrated upon his business affairs although in no duty of citizenship was he ever remiss. He was watchful of opportunities for his business advancement and for the general progress as well, and his devotion to his community made hint a representative resident of this part of Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were born ten children, of whom six are yet living: Sarah Jane, living in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is the widow of Thompson Chambers, who died three years ago; Mary is the wife of James Patton, a resident of Heniy county, Iowa; William resides in Mount Pleasant; Milton N. is living in Denver, Colorado; Daniel resides in New London, Iowa.

The second member of the family is J. S. Campbell, whose name introduces this review. In the country schools of his native state he received his education. His privileges in that direction, however, were very limited but by experience, reading and observation he has greatly broadened his knowledge and has learned many valuable lessons that have been of practical use to him in his later business life. After putting aside his text-books he remained with his parents on the home farm not only until he had attained his majority but for some fifteen years after his marriage and practically had the management of his home place. He was married on the 27th of December. 1849, in Polk. Ashland county, Ohio, to Miss Ruth Cole, a daughter of Thomas and Etheliah (Cole) Cole, and a native of the Buckeye state, born August 21, 1 83 1. Her father was born in the early years of the nineteenth century, followed the occupation of farming and was also a local minister of the Methodist church in Ashland county, Ohio. Both he and his wife died during the early part of the '70s. and were buried in Ashland county. In their family were ten children but only two are living: Elizabeth, now the widow of Chester Matthews, and a resident of Ohio; and Rachel who is the widow of Isaac Gordon and also lives in Ashland county, Ohio. Mr. Cole was a republican in his political views.

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell began their domestic life in the Buckeye state and remained residents of Ashland county until 1865. Several years before he had purchased a farm in Ohio which he cultivated and improved until his removal to Iowa and here he purchased a farm of one hundred and five acres om improved land in Henry county. He began farm work and continued to cultivate that place until 1880, when he sold out and bought a farm of eighty acres near Mount Pleasant. He was a general agriculturist and stock-raiser, continuing in the business until 1896, when he retired and purchased his beautiful home at No. 501 South Walnut street.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were born ten children: W. E., born in Ohio, November 24. 1850. resides in Woodson county, Kansas. He wedded Miss Mary Chandler who has had six children, of whom five are living: Clark, Herman, Ethel, Ruth and Lee. Irene, the second member of the father's family, was born in Ohio November 7, 1852, and is the wife of E. McPeek, of Burlington, by whom she has three children, Mamie, Roy and Dallas. Of this family Mamie is the wife of Robert Willis, who is a conductor on the railroad and resides in Burlington, and they have one child. Wanda. Roy McPeek married Miss Ida Feasman and is living in Arizona. Dallas is in the depot at Burlington. Margaret J. Campl)ell. the third member of the family, was born in Ohio, August 24, 1855, and died when eight years of age. Anna D., born in Ohio, February 25, 1857, died in early girlhood. Mary L., born in Ohio May 1, at home. Milton E., born in Ohio June 30, 1862, married Miss Jessie Courtney, by whom he has three daughters, Marie, Clela May and Roma. He is now serving as sheriff of Henry county. Lydia, lorn June 2y, 1863, died in childhood. Lillian A., born in Henry county, Iowa, November 15, 1867. is the wife of John Deal, residing in St. Francis. Kansas, and they have six children, Blanche, Earl, Marie (deceased). Floyd. Mina. Pearl and Merle. Thomas C. born in Henry county, February 8, 1871, is deceased. Robert Clyde, born in this county September 6, 1873, is now deputy sheriff under his brother. He was only six weeks old at the time of his mother's death, for she passed a.way on the 27th of October, 1873, her remains being interred in Pleasant Hill cemetery. She was a devoted and lovinowife and mother and an earnest Christian woman, and her many excellent traits of character endeared her to those \t\\ whom she was associated. She held membership in the Methodist church, of which Mr. Campbell is also a member and in the work of the church he has taken a very active and helpful part, serving as steward, class leader and also as Sunday-school superintendent.

In his political affiliation Mr. Campbell is a stalwart democrat who has served as supervisor and school director and he was also constable of Henry county in 1876. He became agent of the Campbell cheese, manufactured by his brothers, and for twenty-eight years sold that product in eastern and northwestern Iowa, conducting the business in connection with his farming interests but now he has put aside business cares to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest and is now in the seventy-eighth year of his age. His has been a useful, active and honorable life and he can look back over the past without regret.

As printed in Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa, containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past .. (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.