Franklin L. Campbell (1878-1929)

CAMPBELL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/3/2022 at 22:31:56

Franklin L. Campbell
(March 22, 1878 – February 5, 1929)

F. L. Campbell is one of the most prominent young men of Knierim, Iowa, where he is now successfully engaged in the harness business. A native of Illinois, his birth occurred in Champaign County, that state, on the 22d of March, 1878. His father, James M. Campbell, was born near Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, November 11, 1834, and in 1856 removed to Illinois, where he was married in 1863 to Miss Sarah O. Cook. His parents were Washington and Elnora (Lilly) Campbell, both natives of Virginia. Throughout his active business life James M. Campbell followed farming in Hensley township, Champaign county, Illinois, where he owned and operated a valuable farm of two hundred acres, but in 1S98 he laid aside all labor and removed to the city of Champaign, where he spent the remainder of his life in ease and quiet, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He died November 27, 1901, honored and respected by all who knew him, having survived his wife several years, her death having occurred in 18S4. They were the parents of five children, namely: Jennette L., now the wife of John Kenworthy, of Ogden, Illinois; William M., who lives on the old homestead in Champaign County; Minnie M., wife of D. Crouch, of Ogden, Iowa; Frank L., our subject; and Sarah O., a resident of Ogden, Illinois. The early education of our subject was acquired in his native county in the district schools, which he attended during the winter months, while throughout the summer season he aided in the work of field and meadow on the home farm. Desiring to see more of the world, he left home at the age of sixteen years, and in March, 1894, arrived in Davenport, Scott county, Iowa, where he was in the employ of the general mercantile
firm of Peterson & Company for a short time. He next worked on a farm near Bennett, Iowa, for eighteen dollars per month. His father having sent for him, he returned to the parental roof on the 10th of December, 1894, having been gone about seven months, and in that time having acquired some lessons in self-reliance and industry, which have been of benefit to him in his subsequent business career. On his return home he took charge of the farm, which he and his brother operated in partnership during the years 1898 and 1899, having rented it from his father. On the 14th of February. 1900. Mr. Campbell came to Lake City. Calhoun County, Iowa, where he worked at his trade of harness-making for J. B. Jones until the following December, when he removed to Knierim, Iowa, and opened the first exclusive harness store in the town. He already has a well established trade, being a very wide-awake, energetic and progressive citizen, and the success that has crowned his efforts is certainly well deserved. Fraternally Mr. Campbell is a member of the Modem Woodmen of America, the Brotherhood of American Yeoman, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and politically is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. Public-spirited and progressive, he never withholds his aid from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit or will in any way advance the general welfare. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.440]