CAMPBELL, George P.

CAMPBELL, LANDON, WALKER, HORN, SOWASH, BOUSLOG, MARTZ

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/25/2014 at 04:47:54

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 56-58. Chicago. 1915.

George P. Campbell

George P. Campbell is prominent in business circles of Davis City and Decatur county, being recognized as a reliable and successful real-estate and insurance agent and also as an able executive, as he manages wisely the affairs of the local telephone company, which he owns. He is likewise prominent in fraternal circles and has held state office in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was born on the 8th of May, 1852, in Crawford county, Ohio, a son of Asa D. and Nancy (Landon) Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, operated a farm and worked at carpentering until 1869, when he removed to Pleasanton, Decatur county, Iowa, where he continued to reside until his demise in 1881. His widow survived until the 26th of March, 1894, passing away at Leon.

George P. Campbell was reared in Ohio and in Pleasanton, Iowa, and during his boyhood and youth acquired a good common school education. He drove across the country from Ohio to Iowa ahead of his parents and after completing his schooling in Pleasanton went to Missouri, where he was employed by a railroad for two years. At the end of that time he returned to Pleasanton and learned the wagonmaker's trade in his father-in-law's shop. He followed that occupation for two and a half years, but after the death of his wife turned his attention to school teaching, in which he was engaged for ten terms. He also worked to some extent at painting and plastering. For two years he was a traveling salesman but at the end of that time he located at Davis City and went to work with a bridge gang. After eight and a half years he was made section foreman, which position he held for four years. In the fall of 1892, he purchased the real-estate, insurance and collecting business which he now conducts with J. N. Gates and has since given the greater part of his time and energy to those interests. In 1895 he started a telephone company in Davis City and had the first telephone installed on the line placed in his office. He still owns that business, which has grown to considerable size and which has given its subscribers excellent service at reasonable rates.

On the 28th of August, 1873, Mr. Campbell married Miss Martha E. Horn, a daughter of Elisha and Eliza (Walker) Horn, natives of Indiana, who in 1851 removed to Missouri and in 1855 came to Pleasanton, Decatur county, Iowa. The father was a wagonmaker and followed his trade in Pleasanton until his death, which occurred in March, 1899. His widow passed away in April, 1911. He was a soldier in both the Mexican and Civil wars and was always characterized by public spirit.

Mrs. Campbell died on the 10th of April, 1877, and on the 27th of October, 1881, Mr. Campbell married Miss Mae Sowash, a daughter of Jacob and Maiy (Bouslog) Sowash, natives of Pennsylvania, who were numbered among the early settlers of Decatur county, Iowa. However, in 1875, they left this county and removed to Taylor county. They resided in many different places, as the father was of a disposition that desired change, but following the demise of his wife he made his home with our subject for seventeen years, dying on the 21st of August, 1904.

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have had three children: Beatrice, the wife of Reuben H. Martz, an engineer residing at Chariton, Iowa; Clara M., who died on the 20th of December, 1885; and Carl E., who passed away on the 7th of July, 1888.

Mr. Campbell is a republican and is one of the leaders in the local ranks of that party. He has been a member of the city council and has also served as mayor, giving the municipality an administration characterized by energy and businesslike efficiency. For a number of years he has been justice of the peace and his decisions are based upon law and fact and are entirely free from personal bias. He belongs to the Masonic blue lodge at Davis City, the chapter and commandery in the York Rite at Leon, and also holds membership in the chapter of the Eastern Star at Davis City. He is the present grand patriarch of the grand encampment of Iowa of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also holds membersliip in a number of other orders, including the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen and the Ancient Order of United Woodmen. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church which profits by his moral support and material aid. He has much force of character and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, as he is not deterred by obstacles which it is possible to surmount by well planned and persistent effort.

Transcription for by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014