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REV. DAVID THOMPSON CAMPBELL, one of the first pastors of the Presbyterian Church, of Morning Sun, Iowa, was born near Sharon, Mercer Co., Pa., on the 6th of December, 1829, and is a son of James and Nancy (Thompson) Campbell. The father was born May 22, 1800, in Washington County, Pa., of Scotch parentage, while the mother was born in Mercer County, May 2, 1808, of Irish origin. The father was a farmer, and they reared a family of five children: Edwin M., an extensive farmer of Greenville, Mercer Co., Pa.; David Thompson, of this sketch; Margaret J., wife of J. M. Petitt, an insurance agent of Greenville, Pa.; William B., a farmer and stock raiser, living in Mercer County; Adaline, wife of Elijah Satterfield, of Mercer County, died April 21, 1863. Mrs. Campbell was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. Though not a member himself, Mr. Campbell gave liberally to the support of the church to which his wife belonged. In his political views he was an old-line Democrat, and held the office of Justice of the Peace, being known throughout the community in which he resided as Esquire Campbell. Kind, considerate, and a friend to all, he was one of the prominent men of his neighborhood, where he was highly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native county, and his primary education was there received, though supplemented by a course in the Poland Academy, of Poland, Ohio, where he took a preparatory course for college. Then entering Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa., in 1853, he pursued his studies for three years, being graduated . . .
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. . . in the class of ’56. Desiring to enter the ministry, he attended the Theological Academy at Princeton, N. J., and was graduated from that institution in 1859, after which he preached in that section for a year. In April, 1861, he emigrated to Iowa, locating in Morning Sun, and in September of that year was ordained by the Presbytery, and installed as pastor of the church at Morning Sun, which position he held until April, 1877. While in that city he also supplied the pulpits of the church in Wapello, Oakland, Winfield, and Columbus Junction. In 1873 he was elected to the office of County Superintendent of Schools, and has always been an active worker for the good of the community. He was strongly in favor of the constitutional amendment, and was the first to cast a vote for it in Morning Sun. His labors in the church have been earnest and effective, and his unassuming, upright life has won many friends. Rev. Campbell has a comfortable property, owning 340 acres of land in Morning Sun Township, and in his political views is independent.
A portrait of Mr. Campbell may be seen upon a preceding page.
