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Below is a family biography from the book,  The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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James N. D. Campbell, justice of the peace, was born in Perry County, Tenn., October 13, 1837, and is a son of William and Nancy (Dornell) Campbell, natives of the same State. After his marriage the father lived in Tennessee some years, but in March, 1840, located in Franklin County, Ark., and until his death farmed in Franklin County. He was a good sportsman, and shot many deer, turkeys and wild game. His death occurred April 8, 1852. He was one of the first settlers of Mountain Township, moving here from Mulberry Valley in 1845, and himself and one neighbor were the only voters in the township at one time during its early history. Our subject has lived in Franklin County since two years of age, his early life being passed upon the father’s farm. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the State troops, and after these were disbanded joined the regular Confederate army. He served as orderly-sergeant of the Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry until the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, after which he returned home. He participated in the two engagements at Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, and several skirmishes. Since the war he has been engaged in farming with success. In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he filled six consecutive terms, and in 1882 was appointed postmaster of Floury Post-office, serving in the capacity two years. He has often been a delegate to the County Democratic Convention, and wields considerable political power in the county. December 26, 1861, he was married in Johnson County to Martha Taylor, who was born in Madison County, Ark., and is a daughter of one of the early settlers of the State, who came from Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have lost four children in infancy, but have eight now living: Pleasant L., married; Alonzo, married; Mary, wife of A. Short; Nancy A., wife of William Hughes; William W., Augustus D., Amanda L. and Catherine. Mr. Campbell’s farm contains eighty acres, sixty-five of which are cleared, and it is situated fifteen miles north of Ozark.

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This family biography is one of 163 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Franklin County, Arkansas family biographies here: Franklin County, Arkansas

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