Campbell, Sarah 1815 - 1897

CAMPBELL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:43

Source: Decorah Republican Jan. 21, 1897 P 4 C 2

THE OLDEST SETTLER.
The Conclusion of an Eventful Pioneer Life.
FIFTY-SIX LONG YEARS IN IOWA.
Sarah Campbell, the Pioneer Woman in Winnesheik County,
Passes Away.
Mrs. Sarah Campbell died at her home two miles east of Castalia, in the eastern part of Bloomfield township, Wednesday morning, Jan. 13th, at the advanced age of eighty-one years and seven months. She had been in failing health some months previous to her death. Mrs. Campbell was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1815, where she lived the first twenty-five years of her life. Mrs. Campbell was a member of the M. E. church many years prior to her death; was a good neighbor; was ever ready to minister to the wants of the sick and afflicted, and never turned anyone from her door hungry. Six children—three girl and three boys— survive their parents. The funeral was held from the U. B. church at Castalia, Friday, Jan. loth, at 2 o’clock p. m., Rev. Bargelt, of Postville, assisted by Rev. Harper, officiating.
To Mrs. Campbell and her husband rightly belongs the title of being the “oldest actual settlers” in Winnesheik county. They came to Bloomfield township, settled on sections 23 and 26, June 7th, 1848, and resided there constantly until the time of their deaths. Hamilton Campbell preceded his wife to the “great beyond” about ten years. When they settled in Winnesheik county their nearest neighbors were Joel Post and family, founders of the town of Postville in Allamakee county. In August of the same fall Daniel and David Reed settled in the eastern part of Bloomfield township, and from that time on settlers came rapidly.
In 1829 Hamilton Campbell, then a young man, came west and lived a pioneer life for some years. When the Black Hawk war broke out he enlisted as a private in Captain Gear’s (father of our Senator Gear) company, and was in the same division in this war with Abraham Lincoln. After the close of the war he continued his frontier life until 1837 when he returned to Ireland where he married Miss Sarah Campbell in 1840 they came to America, landing in New York, and at once set out for their future home near Maquoketa, in Jackson county. After a short residence there they moved to Dubuque. Later on they moved to Mineral Point, Wis., and Galena, Ill. From the latter place they came to their farm here, as above stated, in 1848.
Few women, even of the earliest pioneers— have exhibited the pluck and courage attributed to Mrs. Campbell. When moving from Galena to their home in Winnesheik by ox-team they met many going back who gave very discouraging reports concerning Indian depredations and other hardships or privations incident to frontier life. Her husband would stop his team, signify his intention of retracing his steps, but in every instance she would say “we will never turn back.” After enduring the privations incident to a new country they finally amassed a competence which they enjoyed in their declining years.
Our younger people know very little of the trials and hardships of the noble pioneers of this country, who are so rapidly passing away. Too much honor cannot be accorded those sturdy adventurers, many of whom left comfortable homes in the east and who upon arrival here were compelled to live in their covered wagons until rough log huts could be built, in which several families sometimes lived until other houses could be built. In those days neighbors vied with each other in hospitality and self-sacrifice. While the world is rapidly advancing in the arts and sciences and everything calculated to make life comfortable, we are vastly behind those old pioneers in hospitality and generosity. It would be well for us not to overlook the lessons taught by our forefathers, who braved every manner of hardship and danger, to make this country what it is: “The garden spot of the world.”

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows she was born April 12, 1915 and is buried in Pleasant View Cemetery.

Pleasant View Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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