Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 208

R. H. McCAMPBELL, a prominent citizen of Muscatine County, and one of its pioneer settlers, residing on section 22, Bloomington Township, was born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1828, and is a son of John and Mary ( Tilford ) McCampbell, who were natives of Virginia, and was born of Scotch-Irish parentage. They emigrated to Kentucky at an early day, making the journey over the mountains on pack-horses, and in 1830 removed to Indiana, settling in Parke County, where they were among the pioneers. Both parents died many years ago, the mother departing this life at the advanced age of eighty-seven. They had a family of nine children, of whom our subject was the youngest, but only two others are now living: Mrs. Spangler, widow of Charles Spangler, who was a resident of this county for thirty-two years, resides with her brother; and Mrs. Norris, wife of John Norris, resides in Louisville Ky., where her husband is engaged in business.

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life, and received a liberal education at the academy in Montgomery County, Ind. After completing his education he engaged in teaching school in Indiana during the winter term, alternating that employment with farm labor during the summer months. In1851, in Indiana, he wedded Elvina Allen, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret ( Yonel ) Allen, who were born in Virginia, but who emigrated to Indiana in 1830. Both parents died several years ago. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. McCampbell six children were born, four of whom are yet living: Charles is the husband of Ida Bartlett, and resides in Muscatine, where he is engaged in the furniture business; William, wedded Jessie Kessinger, and is a book-keeper in Muscatine; Ella and John are both at home. James died at the age of seventeen years, in 1864; and Maggie died at the age of four years.

After his marriage Mr. McCampbell settled in Indiana, where he resided until 1856, when he severed kindred ties and came directly to Muscatine County, taking up his residence in Bloomington Township, where he purchased 160 acres of unimproved land, and immediately began its cultivation. He remained upon the farm until the second year of the Rebellion, when he enlisted at Muscatine in August, 1862, becoming a member of Company B, of the 35th Iowa Infantry. He enlisted for a term of three years, but after serving two years on detached service, he was discharged on account of ill-health in 1864. He participated in the battle of Vicksburg, Haines' Bluff, Milliken's Bend, siege of Vicksburg, and then returned to Iowa.

After his discharge Mr. McCampbell engaged in teaching in the city schools of Muscatine until 1866, when he was elected County Superintendent of Schools on the Republican ticket. In 1868 a law was enacted creating the office of County Auditor, to which office he was appointed by the Board of Supervisors, entering upon his duties in January, 1869. After serving one year he was elected to the office, and re-elected each succeeding election for seven times, filling that position in all for fifteen years. Mr. McCampbell has always taken an active interest in political affairs, and is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, doing all in his power to advance its interests. During the campaign of 1840, when Gen. W. H. Harrison was candidate for President, he was a member of the Glee Club. Socially, he belongs to Muscatine Lodge No. 99, A.O.U.W., and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. In the month of April, 1887, he removed to his present home in Bloomington Township, where he carries on general farming. For almost a third of a century he has been a resident of Muscatine County, has aided largely in her growth and prosperity, faithfully served her interests eighteen years in official positions, and is one of her prominent and influential citizens.


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