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Rock County, Wisconsin

Biographies

"James S. Campbell"

JAMES S. CAMPBELL, an enterprising citizen of Clinton and the present Commander of Alexis
Tallman Post, G. A.R., is a native of the Green Mountain State, his birth having occurred in Burlington, Oct. 26, 1847. His parents, Robert B. and Helen (McLANSBORO) CAMPBELL, were natives of Scotland, and in an early day emigrated to the new world, settling in Canada, where they resided until their removal to Burlington, Vt. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living at this writing. Jeanette became the wife of Burr MAXWELL, of Austin, Minn., who served as a soldier in the 4th Wisconsin Artillery and was promoted to the rank of first Lieutenant for meritorious conduct on the field of battle; Jane wedded Charles W. COBB, a resident of Cambridge, Ill.; Robert, who married Miss Ellen PECK and is living in Pipestone City, Minn., also served with honor as a member of the 4th Wisconsin Light Artillery; Helen J. wedded Alonson SHEPHERD, of Clinton; James S., of whom we write, is the next in order of birth, and Myra is the wife of L. B. SNYDER, of this county. Robert CAMPBELL was a stonemason by trade, and was superintendent of the stone work on the first railroad built out of Vermont. He was a thorough mechanic, an expert and finished workman, and his services were much in demand by those who desired the best class of work. His death probably occurred from drowning while a resident of Vermont. Accompanied by her children, his wife came to Rock County, where her death occurred in 1875.
Our subject remained in his native State until seven years of age, when he went with his mother to
Pennsylvania, and in 1858 came to Rock County, where the greater part of his life has since been spent. He received a liberal education and began earning his livelihood as a farm hand. He felt a deep interest in the cause of freedom when the Civil War broke out, and as soon as he had attained sufficient age enlisted in the service of his country. This was in 1864, and he was assigned to Company F, 39th Wisconsin Infantry. He joined his regiment at Memphis, Tenn., where he was stationed at the time of the raid of Gen. Forrest. On the close of hostilities, when peace was declared and slavery abolished, he returned to the North and was mustered out at Milwaukee. On arriving at his home in Clinton he engaged in the painting business, and is now following his chosen trade.
In the year 1879 Mr. CAMPBELL was joined in wedlock with Miss Florence N.
WINCHESTER, a daughter of Alpheus and Maria WINCHESTER. Her father, who was a native of Sullivan, N.H., came to Wisconsin with his family in 1854, and during the late war served his country as a member of the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. His death occurred in 1875. Of his family of five children three are now living - C. A., Leon and Florence. The union of Mr. and Mrs. CAMPBELL has been blessed with three children, daughters, Annie L., Nellie E. and Vera.
In his social relations our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Good
Samaritan Lodge, No. 35, A.F. & A.M., in which he has held the office of Secretary. He is a member of the G.A.R. Post, in which he takes an active interest, and of which as before stated, he is Commander. Politically he is a stalwart and inflexible adherent to the principles of the Republican party, and has been honored with several local offices. He is numbered among the early settlers of the county, having been a resident for more than thirty years. He has witnessed the greater part of its growth and development, has been identified with its progress, and has ever taken an interest in the advancement of any enterprise for the public welfare.
 
Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 914-915.
 
Courtesy of Carol

This page last updated September 7, 2002
 
©2002 WIBiographies-Rock County
 
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