CAMPBELL, Joseph - 1890 Bio (1824-1898)

CAMPBELL, HARTMAN, WADSWORTH, RANDOLPH, GIRARD, HALL, PARRETT, LONG, FANCHER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/29/2007 at 20:49:07

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 241-243

Joseph CAMPBELL is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 29, Locust Grove Township, Jefferson County, where he has made his home for twenty years. He first came to Iowa, in April, 1855, settling near Batavia, and has since made his home in this State, but a portion of the time has resided elsewhere than in Jefferson County. The family was founded in America during Colonial days, but we have little knowledge concerning its early history, save that John and Mary CAMPBELL, the paternal grandparents of our subject, were natives of Maryland and there resided many years. His maternal grandparents, Joseph and Susan (HARTMAN) WADSWORTH, were natives of Pennsylvania. The husband served in the War of 1812, and died while returning to his home after the battle of Lundy's Lane.

Thomas CAMPBELL, father of Joseph, was born in Maryland, but in his youth removed to Pennsylvania, where he became acquainted with and married Sidney WADSWORTH, who was born in the Keystone State. By occupation he was a farmer and followed that business throughout his entire life. He died in Pennsylvania, in 1880, at an advanced age, having survived his wife about forty years. Their family numbered ten children, of whom Joseph was the oldest. The other members who came to Iowa are Joel, who located in Jefferson County, in 1855, but is now living in Ottumwa, and John who came to the State in 1857, and is now a resident of Polk County, Mo.

In his youth, Joseph CAMPBELL acquired a good English education and on the completion of his school life began teaching in Pennsylvania, successfully following that profession from 1848 until the winter of 1855-6. Believing that the West furnished better opportunities for young men than the older States of the East, he came to Jefferson County and the following winter was employed as a teacher in Batavia. In 1857, he made his first purchase of land consisting of a one hundred and sixty-acre tract in Wayne County. This farm he afterward sold and became owner of one in Wapello County, which he improved and operated for some twelve years. It was in 1869, that he bought one hundred acres of improved land in Locust Grove Township and removed to his present home. A man of good business ability, he has been quite successful in his undertakings and is now numbered among the substantial citizens of Jefferson County. As an early settler he can relate many interesting incidents of pioneer life in the West, when Iowa was but sparsely settled, when Fairfield was a mere village, when the farmer had to take his grain to Keokuk and Burlington to market and drive his stock to Chicago. But all this is now changed, the log cabins have been replaced by commodious and substantial farm residences, the wild land is transformed into fertile farms, towns and villages have sprung up and Fairfield has blossomed as a thriving little city, whose industries, manufactories, institutions of learning and adornments might grace a place that numbers a far greater population.

Mr. CAMPBELL has never taken a very active part in political affairs, especially in the sense of office seeking, but keeps himself well informed on the issues of the day and supports the Republican party by his ballot. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Taylor. He is more interested in providing good schools for the children of the community and has done effective service in that line while acting on the school board. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church and are active workers for its interests.

In East Liberty, Fayette County, Pa., in 1851, Mr. CAMPBELL was united in marriage with Miss Emma RANDOLPH, who was born in New Jersey, of which State her parents, Samuel and Nancy (GIRARD) RANDOLPH, were also natives. Her father was a boot and shoe dealer and did a good business in that line. His death occurred in Pennsylvania in 1863, but his wife survived until 1884. Unto Mr. and Mrs. CAMPBELL were born ten children and the family circle remains yet unbroken by the hand of death. Sarah J., the eldest, is now Mrs. HALL, of Smith County, Kan.; Walter S. is married and resides near Batavia; Ann Laura is now Mrs. PARRETT, of Locust Grove Township; Mrs. Florence LONG is living in Eldon, Iowa; Mrs. Ella FANCHER makes her home in Wapello County; Charles Randolph is living in Ottumwa; Alice C., Frank T., Mary and Clara are at home.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.