Campbell, William M.

CAMPBELL, KELSER, CROSLEY, ECKLES, SMITH, BOYD, CROMER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/21/2009 at 11:54:04

Campbell, William M.

The gentleman whose name initiates this article is a native of Indiana, a state which has been the cradle of much of our western civilization and upon which the commonwealth of Iowa has largely drawn for its most enlightened, enterprising and progressive people. This Hoosier class has demonstrated continuously that they believe in extending the bounds of civilization to the utmost. They never shirk their duty, but plunge into the work to be done in any new community and bear their full share. The good they have done in Jasper County cannot be estimated in dollars and cents, for they have, while assisting with the material development of the same, not neglected the civic, religious and moral phases of civilization, but at once began to build school houses and Churches, to place prudent men in public office, so that the laws would be respected and enforced. These traits were doubtless the result of the careful training by their honored pioneer ancestors, who are regarded as worthy of all honor-the kind of people that found empires and republics and who, believing with Bishop Whipple that westward the course of empire ever takes its way, have sought to do their full share in the good work. One of these excellent gentlemen, who, while not among the earlier horde of his countrymen to cast his lot in ours, has yet been among us for upwards of thirty-five years, during which the most rapid and astonishing changes have taken place, is William M. Campbell, farmer of Clear Creek Township, who, while not among the leaders in agricultural and business affairs, yet has sought to do his part well as a citizen and has led a life that is in every way commendable.

Mr. Campbell was born in Rush County, Indiana, on April 26, 1864, and there he spent his early boyhood, coming to Jasper County, Iowa, with his parents in 1875, and with the exception of five years in Missouri and two years in Nebraska he has continued to reside here. The family located in Independence Township, later moving to Clear Creek Township where they have resided for some time.

The subject is the son of Frank and Mary (Kelser) Campbell, both natives of Indiana, the father born in Rush County, and they grew up, attended school and were educated in their native state and were married there, moving to Jasper County, Iowa, in the year mentioned above and here they established a good home through perseverance and economy and they spent the balance of their lives, the father dying in Jasper County on July 31, 1898, and the mother's death occurred here in February 1911, having survived her husband thirteen years.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Campbell, seven of whom are living at this writing, named as follows: Mrs. Alice Crosley died in June 1911; Belle died when eighteen years of age; Allen H., born October 20, 1861, lives at Ira; William M., of this review; Solon lives in Des Moines; Mrs. Emma Eckles also lives in Des Moines; Ira makes his home at Valeria, this state; Samuel lives at Ira, Iowa; Mrs. Esther Smith and Fred also live at Ira.

At St. Charles, Iowa, on October 24, 1895, occurred the marriage of William M. Campbell and Agnes M. Boyd, the latter born on July 12, 1872, in Poweshiek Township, and there she grew to womanhood and attended the district schools. Her grandfather Boyd bought land at that place for three dollars per acre in pioneer days. He was an influential man in his community, and was licensed as a layman in the Methodist Episcopal Church three months after his conversion. Mrs. Campbell is the daughter of Parker and Sarah

Jane (Cromer) Boyd, the father born in Ohio and the mother born in Indiana. They came to Jasper County, Iowa, in an early day and here became well established and here they spent the balance of their lives, the father dying in April 1898, and the mother on October 10, 1907. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom three are living, named as follows: The eldest child, a son, died in infancy; Agnes M., wife of Mr. Campbell, of this review; Hugh died when three months old; Emma F., born July 28, 1875, was one of the prominent school teachers of Jasper County for several years; she was born on the old Cromer homestead at Greencastle; the next three children died in infancy; Mary. E. died when twenty years of age; Fred, born August 22, 1887; the youngest, a daughter, died in infancy. These children were born in Poweshiek Township, Jasper County, and were reared and educated here.

To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been born four children, of whom three are living, named as follows: Omar, born in Clear Creek Township, September 18, 1896; Iva, born March 30, 1898; a daughter, born July 16, 1902, died the same day; Ila, born September 19, 1907. The two older children are attending school in Clear Creek Township, in their home district.

Mr. Campbell has devoted his life to farming, beginning on the home place when but a boy, working in the fields during the crop season and attending the common schools in the winter months. He is an advocate of the intensive farming idea and is successfully using these modern methods of agriculture on fifty acres in Clear Creek Township.

Politically, Mr. Campbell is a Republican and both he and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he holding membership at Ira and she in the congregation at Mingo. They are both highly respected and have a wide circle of friends throughout this locality. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1127