CAMPBELL, Edward Jr. 1820 - 1901

CAMPBELL, MOORE, FARMER, THOMPSON, BRIGHT

Posted By: Jane Adams (email)
Date: 5/4/2005 at 21:29:28

"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, March 13, 1901
Page 7, Column 3

HON. EDWARD CAMPBELL DEAD.

The Grand Old Man Passes Peacefully Into Another World.

Edward CAMPBELL is dead and one of the striking characters of Fairfield and of Iowa is no more. Though not unexpected, the death came as a shock to the community where he had lived so long and was so highly respected.

The last illness was of brief duration. About two weeks ago he went to Chicago in company with his wife to make his annual winter visit to his children in that city. Soon after his arrival he was taken sick and immediately went to St. Luke's hospital. A day or so later it was determined that his disease was of a fatal character. The circulation in one of the arteries of the right leg had been impeded by a clot of blood and gangrene at once set in. The only possible remedy was amputation and at his age this was deemed impracticable. He also refused to submit to it. Having been imformed (sic) of the grave condition he was in, Mr. CAMPBELL expressed a desire to return to his own home. This was not deemed possible by the hospital authorities and it was thought that he could not live to get out of the city. Dr. J. F. Clarke, of this city, had previously been summoned, and under his direction the effort to remove him was undertaken. It was accomplished satisfactorily and greatly to Mr. CAMPBELL's gratification. He arrived here early Friday morning and lived until Saturday morning at 3:40, when he quietly breathed his last. He had been conscious the greater of the time after his arrival.

Edward CAMPBELL, Jr., was born in Washington county, Penn., January 1, 1820, and he thus lived to be 81 years, two months and nine days old. His ancestry was Scotch-Irish (sic). He was born on a farm and lost his father when a mere boy. His opportunities for schooling were of the most limited character, but he improved to the utmost such as he had. Mr. CAMPBELL was esentially self educated, but his information was so wide and varied and withal so accurate that he was better equipped than most of the schoolmen. Removing to Pittsburg early in life, he began a political career, and from this time on throughout his long life he was intensely interested in the affairs of government. For fifteen years he held the important office of prothonotary and sheriff, as a democrat, having previously served in the sheriff's office and also as a clerk in a bank. In 1865, Mr. CAMPBELL came west and located in Cedar township, this county, having purchased the old Huyett farm of nearly a thousand acres on what is known as the upper round prairie. Here he lived until 1879, when he removed to this city, which has since been his home. Soon after coming to Iowa, Mr. CAMPBELL began taking an active interest in olitical affairs and in a short time he was made the chairman of the democratic state committee, a position he occupied for ten years and which he filled with the gratest satisfaction to the party. In those days just following the war the democratic organization in this state was at a very low ebb. While the party vote was considerable in the eastern part of the state, it was very light in the central and western aprt, and in some counties there were actually no democratic voters whatever. Almost everwhere there was no organization. The party was poor, with none of its members in office to contribute campaign funds, and with no hope for office in the immediate future, Mr. CAMPBELL supplied from his own pocket the greater part of the needed funds and during the years he was at its head built up the party into a vigorous, compact body, all over the state. His methods were always clear cut and straight forward, and while he was the admired leader of his party, his open methods, bright mind and genial manner largely disarmed the opposition. Everywhere he was recognized as one of the brightest men in the state and his presence was welcomed in every gathering, where hwas always a conspicuous figure. In 1874 Mr. CAMPBELL was elected to the state senate from this county. This resulted because of factional differences in the republican majority here and because of his own personal popularity. With him in that body were the late Senator Gear, John A. Kasson, John P. Irish, and other men of equally brilliant attainments, and among these Mr. CAMPBELL at once took rank, and was accounted one of the strongest men in that notably strong legislature. During the first term of President Cleveland Mr. CAMPBELL was appointed to be United States marshall for the Southern District of Iowa. He held this office for four and one-half years, conforming strictly to the requirements of the pubilc (sic) service by wholly abstaining from an active part in political affairs and conducting the business of his office in such manner as to best subserve the public interest, though in doing so he abandoned the old practices which contributed materially to the fees of the office. Since then he has lived quietly in this city, always, however, taking an active part in local meetings, for the advancement of agriculture and stock raising, in which he was deeply interested, and never for one day losing his interest in the affairs of government.

In March, 1841, Mr. CAMPBELL married Miss Elizabeth MOORE, of Allegheny county, Pa., and the sixtieth anniversary of this event would have occurred in but a few days more. To them were born eight children, and of these five are living, as follows: John M. and Colin E CAMPBELL, and Mrs. S. C. FARMER of Chicago; and Mrs. W. E. THOMPSON and Mrs. Belle BRIGHT, of this city. The first and fifth children died in infancy, and Clifford, the youngest, died in this city in 1887, in his twenty-seventh year.

The funeral took place from the residence in this city at ten o'clock last Monday and was largely attended. The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. J. F. Magill. The pall bearers were Messrs. S. K. West, J. F. Clarke, R. J. Wilson, R. B. Louden, C. J. Fulton and C. M. McElroy.

Of the character, ability and mental attainments of Mr. CAMPBELL we have yet to speak. He was a positive man and no one was ever left in doubt as to where he stood on any matter of public concern. Nor was he a believer in either expediency or policy, but he stood fast for principle as he saw it, believing it better to fail if need be advocating the right than to win a temporary victory on a position that could not be sustained. Holding such opinions it is not surprising that he often ran counter to the views of others nor that he frequently aroused bitter opposition. But he was always able to defend himself and more than able to hold his own, and no man ever met him in argument but felt the force of his keen intellect and almost incomparable use of invective, and generally retired before the vigor and forcefulness of his personality and the resourcefulness of his mind. He was a democrat of the old school, in full accorb (sic) with the doctrines of Jefferson, and the last year of his life he spent much of his time in greatly enjoying a compendium of the views of that statesman. Mr. CAMPBELL was not in accord with his party in its recent position on the silver question. He lost no opportunity in characterizing that position as a stupendous error and in stating that the party would have to retrace its steps before it could achieve victory.

The personal character of Mr. CAMPBELL was high and his integrity was questioned by no man. The fine distinctions made by many to satisfy their consciences were unknown to him and the standard that he set up for himself left no place for the departure from that which was exactly right. This is testified to by all who ____ ___ ______ association with him (article fades in spots), from the ________, that natural tempter of __ __ men, through every grade of business transaction. He was scrupulousl exact in his dealings and it was a matter of honor and pride with him to owe to no man anything. His personal ap_____ance bore the ________ evidence of his rectitude. He walked the streets with head erect and shoulders well thrown back and with the dignity and tread of one who was a prince among men, and yet with the democratic simplicity and sturdiness which wquld (sic) have made him a man among princes. His ____ was finely molded and every feature so chiseled as to show the strong intellect behind it. Mr. CAMPBELL has a large and gentle heart prompting him to charity in thought and deed, known chiefly to those most intimately acquainted with him, and yet so much a part of his nature that no sketch, however brief, would be complete which did not emphasize it.

Iowa has known few men which have more honored her than this adopted son, and the whole state, as well as his home town and county, will regret his taking off. He was a great character; the loss to all who knew him will be distinctly felt, and there is none to take his place. C. M. M.

This data has been transcribed for genealogical purposes; I am not related to the subject.

===========================================

Added by Admin, October 2020 --

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, March 13th, 1901
Page 3, Columns 3 and 4

Edward CAMPBELL, Jr., Is Dead.

Edward CAMPBELL, jr., one of Fairfield's best known citizens, died at an early hour Saturday morning. He was taken ill while visiting in Chicago a week or two ago, a blood clot forming in the artery of one of his legs. Physicians at St. Luke's hospital advised him that there was a possibility that his life might be prolonged would he submit to the amputation of the diseased member. This he refused to do. He expressed a desire to return home, notwithstanding his condition, and was brought here Thursday night. He survived the journey only a little more than twenty-four hours.

Mr. CAMPBELL had been closely associated with the political, commercial and social life of Jefferson county since 1865, and likewise prominent in state affairs for much of this time. He was born in Washington county, Penn., January 1st, 1820, obtained a common school education and grew to manhood there. He was married in March, 1841, to Elizabeth MOORE, who survives him. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living--Mrs. W. E. THOMPSON and Mrs. M. B. BRIGHT of this city, Mrs. S. C. FARMER, John M. and Colin E. CAMPBELL of Chicago.

In 1846 Mr. CAMPBELL removed to Pittsburgh, Penn., and entered into political life. He was for several years clerk in the offices of prothonotary and sheriff and was subsequently elected to both offices, with a term of service of fifteen years. In 1865 he came to this county and purchased the Huyett farm in Cedar township, one of the largest tracts of land in the county, where he lived for fifteen years. He then removed to this city.

Soon after removing to Iowa Mr. CAMPBELL became interested in local politics. He was elected to the general assembly when Jefferson county had two members of the house and served in 1872 and 1873. For ten years or more about that time he was chairman of the democratic state central committee, was one of the active leaders of his party in the state and was rewarded with many places of honor within its gift. In 1885 he was appointed United States marshal for the southern district of Iowa by President Cleveland and served one term or until a change of administrations brought a republican into office. Mr. CAMPBELL was more or less actively engaged in the democratic politics of the state until 1896, when he repudiated the doctrine of free silver and refused to support the party ticket. He was prominently identified with the gold democratic movement of that campaign and had never since been wholly in accord with his old party. Mr. CAMPBELL was a men of much intellectual ability and had acquired a wide range of knowledge without an academic education. His friends found rare social qualities in him and genial companionship. He was a public spirited citizen, a man of means, and gave liberally to public enterprises. His death has excited much regret among the people who had known him for more than a third of a century in this community.

Funeral services were held at the family residence on South Main street Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. J. F. Magill conducted the exercises, and they were largely attended. The remains were interred in the Evergreen cemetery.

~~~~

"Jefferson County Republican"
Friday, March 15, 1901
Page 4, Column 3

Obituary.

Hon. Edward CAMPBELL Jr., died at his home in this city last Saturday morning about 4 o'clock. He and wife had been visiting their children in Chicago and while there he took sick and was taken to the hospital, and on learning that his case was a serious one with little hopes of ever recovering, he decided to come home and reached here Friday morning.

He was a good neighbor, honest and upright in all his dealings, ready at all times to express his convictions frankly. He was not ashamed of his opinion on any subject that came up. Probably no man in this city was so thoroughly posted on the affairs of this country as he. He was always ready to help the needy if deserving. While we disagree with him politically we admire him. On one occasion we heard him remark after listening to a man complaining of the weather, "The man who complains of how the Almighty runs things couldn't suit themselves any better than He does if they had the power themselves."

A few days after moving here we met him on the street, "Well, said he," "are you going to run a free silver paper?" When informed that we were not, he reached into his pocket and handed us the subscription price of our paper saying as he did so, "put me down as one of your subscribers." When his death was announced we felt that we had lost a friend.

He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 1st, 1820, and died March 9th, 1901, aged 81 years 2 months and nine days. He was born on a farm. When a mere boy his father died. In 1865 he came to this county and purchased a farm in Cedar township, where he lived until 1879, when he left the farm and took up his residence in this city. He was married to Miss Elizabeth MOORE in 1841.

The funeral took place from the residence Monday morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. F. Magill. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn their lots (sic).

~~~~

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, March 27, 1901
Page 3, Column 5

... Will of Edward CAMPBELL, jr; admitted to probate, Elizabeth CAMPBELL appointed executrix without bond. ...

~~~~
Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc. IAGenWeb Bylaws PROHIBIT the COPYING AND RE-POSTING OF THIS MATERIAL IN ANY PUBLIC VENUE such as Ancestry or Find A Grave without WRITTEN permission from the poster ~ copyright restrictions apply.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot Old.P.226. Wife Elizabeth died in 1911 and is buried with him. His birthdate as engraved on his gravestone is December 31, 1819; however his obituaries note it as January 1, 1820.