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         CAPT. WILLIAM J. CAMPBELL, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 34, Elliott Township, was born in Perry County, Ill., Aug. 18, 1839, and is a son of W. S. and Nancy (McGuire) Campbell, the father a native of Mercer County, Pa., and the mother of Chester County, S. C. Throughout his life W. S. Campbell engaged in farming. In 1828 he emigrated from Pennsylvania to Illinois, where he was united in marriage with Nancy McGuire. Seven children were born to them, and with the exception of two, all are now living.

Our subject was reared upon a farm in his native State, and in the fall of 1857 removed with his father to Des Moines County, Iowa, where he resided until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he responded to the country’s first call for troops, and enlisted as a member of Company E, 1st Iowa Infantry, for three months’ service. He received his discharge on the 20th of August, 1861, after which he returned to his home, remaining there until the 10th of September following, when he again enlisted, as a private in a company which was assigned to the 14th Iowa Infantry. He was elected First Lieutenant on the 18th of the month. He was subsequently commissioned Captain of Company K of that regiment, and served in that rank for three years, with the exception of five months, during which time he held the rank of Colonel. He participated in the battles of Wilson’s Creek and Ft. Donelson, where his regiment was captured and held as prisoners for six months and eleven days. During the summer of 1863 they did garrison duty, and in the spring of 1864 were placed under the command of Sherman. They next took part in the Red River expedition, and the capture of Ft. Duressa, where the guns of his company were the first to strike the fort, after which they joined Banks at Alexandria and proceeded toward Shrevesport, where the battle of Pleasant Hill was fought. The regiment then returned, and proceeded up the Mississippi River to Chicot Lake, Ark., where they had an engagement with Marmaduke. They next were at Memphis, Tenn., whence they pursued the rebel General Forrest, bringing on an engagement at Tupelo, where Capt. Campbell was commissioned Commander of the 14th Regiment, and then entered upon the Price campaign through Missouri. There our subject went with an escort of four companies from Jefferson Barracks to Ft. Davidson, with Ewing, and at the latter place they were surrounded and had a hard fight, having but 1,060 men against 18,000 of Price’s force. After the battle they evacuated the works, and in front of the enemy started for Rolla, Mo., having several engagements on the way with Marmaduke. At Leesburg they engaged the enemy for two days. On the 16th of November, 1864, Mr. Campbell received his discharge as Captain after over three years of hard fighting upon the battle-fields of the South, during which he was always found at his post gallantly doing his duty.

After his discharge Capt. Campbell returned to Des Moines County, Iowa, where he had purchased . . .

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. . . a farm in Washington Township, but he remained there only a short time, and in the spring of 1865 came to Louisa County, where he bought 200 acres of land on section 34, Elliott Township, which still continues to be his home. He is now the owner of 240 acres of fine land, which comprises one of the best farms in the township. He makes a specialty of raising stock, in which he is quite successful, and upon his farm may be found good grades of horses and cattle. Politically, he is a Republican, and is one of the prominent farmers of the county.

On May 20, 1862, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Mary J. Johnson, a native of Louisa County, and a daughter of George Johnson, who was born in Ohio, but who died in this county. They are the parents of twelve children: Ann E., who died at the age of sixteen years; Elmer E., who resides in Louisa County; Susan, George W., John L. and Maggie May, twins; Frank, Robert; Charles Chester, who is now deceased; James G., Emma, and Thomas E., who died at the age of two years. Capt. Campbell is a member of the G. A. R., and has held various township offices; he is one of the respected and honored citizens of Louisa County.