In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1852
From History of Greene county, Missouri, ... including a history of its township, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri ... biographical sketches and portraits of prominent cit (1883)
JOHN E. CAMPBELL.
Mr. Campbell is the son of William H. and L. J. Campbell, and was born in Lawrence county, Arkansas, September 21st, 18.52. His parents moved to Newton county, Missouri, in 1871, where they are yet living. At the age of twenty-one John commenced driving the stage between Neosho and Joplin, which he followed about a year and then worked in the commission house of Craudus, Winn & Co., of Neosho, for about eight months. He then began working on the Neosho section of the railroad, where he worked until 1876, and then commenced breaking upon the St. Louis and San Francisco railroad. In 1882 he was promoted conductor, and now runs a train upon the Arkansas branch, between Winslow and Porter. Mr. Campbell was married January 9th, 1879, to Miss L. Eobertson, of Ashland, Oregon. Their union is best with two sons. Fay and Gay.
As printed in History of Greene county, Missouri, ... including a history of its township, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri ... biographical sketches and portraits of prominent cit (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.