- HENRY CAMPBELL, a highly respected citizen and prominent
farmer of Union Township,
- residing on section 25, was born in Chautauqua County, N.Y.,
on the 5th day of March, 1835, and is a son of Zimri and Rebecca
(QUAYLE) CAMPBELL, the father a native of Vermont, and the mother
of the Isle of Man. They were married in St. Albans in the Green
Mountain State, and later removed to New York, where Mr. CAMPBELL
engaged in farming until 1844. At that time, accompanied by his
family he left his eastern home and emigrated to Illinois. While
en route from New York to the Prairie State, one of their children
sickened and died, and was buried in the cemetery at Brookville,
Ohio. After laying the little one to rest, the party continued
on their way until reaching Winnebago County, Ill., where they
remained for one year, at the end of which time they came to
Wisconsin. Mr. CAMPBELL purchased from the Government forty acres
of land in the town of Center, which hitherto was entirely uncultivated.
On the day of his arrival, he erected a little log-cabin, of
which the family took possession the following evening. He was
an energetic, industrious and hard-working man, and at once began
the development of a farm. In course of time, by subsequent purchase,
he extended the boundaries of his land, and at the time of his
death owned 240 acres. Though numerous were his farm duties he
always found time to study the word of God. He was reared in
the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he united
in early life, and his daily endeavor was to live in harmony
with his profession. He gave liberally of his means toward the
upbuilding of the cause of Christianity, was a zealous laborer
in the master's vineyard, and reared his children in the virtue
and admonition of the Lord. His home was the abode of hospitality,
where all received a hearty welcome, while the needy were never
turned from his door. By his side Mrs. CAMPBELL shared the hardships
and privations of pioneer life, and was truly a helpmate to her
husband. His death occurred in 1860, and after two years, the
final summons came, which called Mrs. CAMPBELL to meet her husband
on the other side of the dark river.
- The family of this worthy couple numbered eight children,
seven of whom are yet living - Charles
- is now a resident of Brodhead, Wis.; Henry is the second
in order of birth; William is residing in Evansville; Jennie
is now the wife of Albert RIDER, of Janesville; Kittie wedded
J. S. CONRAD, whose home is also in Janesville; Dora, who is
living in Union Township, is the widow of John WEST; and Hattie
was joined in wedlock with L. H. SMITH, who is engaged in business
in New York City.
- The subject of our sketch began his education in his native
country, completing his studies in the
- common schools of Center Township, after the removal of the
family to Rock County. Upon him fell a large share of the management
of the farm, and until after his father's death he remained at
home engaged in farm duties. When his parents had passed away,
he acted as administrator of the estate, managing affairs to
the satisfaction of all the heirs. In 1865, Mr. CAMPBELL was
united in marriage with Miss Vie A. HOWARD, their union being
celebrated on the 27th day of December, 1865. The lady was born
in Cookville [Cooksville], Rock Co., Wis., May 26, 1846, and
is the daughter of Charles A. HOWARD, (whose sketch appears on
another page of this volume.) The young people began their domestic
life upon the farm on section 25, Union Township, which still
continues to be their home. The land was then in a partly improved
condition, being known as the Levi LEONARD farm, and Mr. CAMPBELL
at once began to carry onward the work of cultivation and development.
He has now one of the best farms in the township, comprises 200
acres of arable land, with a beautiful residence, the latest
improved machinery and all the necessary buildings. Energetic
and enterprising, the entire surrounding indicate thrift. For
several years, Mr. CAMPBELL has been engaged in raising fine
stock, making a specialty of roadsters and carriage horses. He
has received many premiums at the State and county fairs, and
was the owner of one team that sold for over $800. he is vice-president
of the Wisconsin Morgan Horse Society and has done much to advance
the grade of fine stock in Rock County.
- By the union of Mr. and Mrs. CAMPBELL an interesting family
of three children have been born -
- Eva, the eldest, who graduated from the Evansville Seminary
in the class of 1887, is now a student of the Conservatory of
Music at Madison. Leo and Pearl, the younger members of the family,
are at home with their parents. Mrs. CAMPBELL is a lady of culture
and refinement. At the early age of fifteen she began teaching
in the State of Kansas, and was also one of the successful teachers
of Rock County. She was largely instrumental in introducing the
School Suffrage bill for women in Wisconsin, and for one year
was State Organizer of the Woman's Suffrage Society. She is an
active worker of the W.C.T.U., and both she and Mr. CAMPBELL
are strong and earnest advocates of the temperance cause. In
the women's department of the State Agricultural Society she
now holds the position of Superintendent, and is also Treasurer
of the State Horticulture Society.
- In addition to the many duties incumbent upon farm life,
Mrs. CAMPBELL is a contributor to
- several of the leading State publications. Politically, Mr.
CAMPBELL is a supporter of the Prohibition party, and has filled
various township offices of trust, serving at the present time
as Township Clerk. None rank higher in the esteem and respect
of all than do this worthy couple, who have ever taken a deep
interest in the welfare of the community where they reside. Religiously,
Mr. and Mrs. CAMPBELL are liberal in sentiment, believing that
human progress rests upon human shoulders, and, in accord with
Tennyson --
-
- "That nothing walks with aimless feet;
- That not one life shall be destroyed,
- Or cast as rubbish to the void,
- When God has made the pile complete."
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 429-430.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|