Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897

JAMES CAMPBELL,

[p. 111] a retired farmer of North Beaver township, whose efforts through life have been crowned with success, was born in Allegheny Co., Pa., Dec. 14, 1823. He was a son of James and Mary (Cunningham) Campbell, and grandson of Robert and Esther (Pat- terson) Campbell, both of whom were born in County Down, Ireland.

Robert Campbell, the grandsire, a man of education and refinement, was a teacher of high and scholarly attainments, and in addition understood the trade of a weaver. Coming to America, his only daughter died at sea, but his son, James, the father of our subject, remained to him. After his arrival in this country, Robert Campbell spent some little time in looking about for a favorable place in which to make his permanent abiding-place, and finally purchased 400 acres of land in Ross and Pine townships, Allegheny County. He made his home on the portion of the property that was in Ross township, and for many years successfully followed teaching, weaving and farming, becoming a leading spirit of that growing section. He died when four score years of age, leaving all of his accumulated property to his only son, James Campbell, Sr., father of the present James Campbell.

James Campbell, Sr., was early married to Miss Mary Cunningham, daughter of a well and favorably known family, and seven children sprang from this union: Robert; John; James; Hugh; Abram; Samuel; and Nancy; all of whom grew to noble manhood and womanhood. James Campbell, Sr., lived to the age of seventy-two, and his beloved wife was permitted to behold sixty-nine summers of mortal earth. The father of the subject of this article was a vigorous, stirring man in the community, respected and liked by all. He was a Whig and afterwards a Republican of earnest convictions, being relied on by his fellow party members for sound advice. Besides being a kind parent, he was a firm Christian, and a leading member of the Reformed Presbyterian'Church.

James Campbell, the son, was reared and educated in his native township, receiving all the advantages possible in the newly settled country. He inherited a share of the paternal estate, amounting to 112 acres, and thereon erected a new house and barns, and followed general farming until 1869, when he sold his place, and removed to North Beaver township, where he bought the Dr. Smith farm of 204 acres. This tract of land was and is now one of the choicest pieces of farming property in the county. Since he became the proprietor of the estate, Mr. Campbell has made many marked improvements, permanent in their character. He remodeled the house at a great expense, built a handsome large barn 64x44, with basement and every convenience, and set acres of ground with the finest varieties of orchard fruits. An up-to-date dairy has always been a feature of Mr. Campbell's estate, and no finer stock grazes on the hills of the county than can be found in his pastures.

When a young man, Mr. Campbell linked his fortunes with those of Eliza Ellen Dodds, daughter of Robert Dodds of Allegheny Co., Pa.; she bore him five children, namely: John, who married Ella Duff, and lives on the homestead, assisting his father in its proper care; Harvey James, who wedded Ella Paden, and is the father of two bright children—Edna and Ralph; he has built a fine set of buildings on the homestead and follows farming as a pursuit; Evada B., Sarah M. and Lulu all died young. James Campbell, his whole life through, has been a worthy successor of an excellent ancestry. The influence of the Campbell family has always been felt in shaping the affairs of the commonwealth for the best. The affairs of the day, whether private or public, awaken in him the same lively interest as of yore. He has been a sincere Republican since the formation of the party, and may be always found in the front ranks, championing the cause which he believes and knows to be right. He is a Christian gentleman, and a devoted member of the Westfield Presbyterian Church of Mt. Jackson. He has seen the land, chosen of his fathers, develop, prosper, and wax great. Even in times of trouble, when the nation's future was overcast with great ominous clouds of rebellion, Mr. Campbell's stock of sturdy Americanism, inherited from those who builded and builded well, never failed him and he stands to-day a type of what a loyal, honorable and upright man should be.


Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897

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