My Genealogy Hound

J. H. Campbell, M. D., a prominent physician, surgeon and farmer, of Knox County, was born May 30, 1824, in Harrison County, Ky., and is the fourth of six children born to Matthew and Dorothy (Martin) Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively. They were married in Harrison County, Ky., where they lived with their parents in childhood. The territory in which they settled was named Campbell in honor of our subject’s ancestors, but is now divided into three counties. Matthew Campbell, the grandfather of our subject, built the first tavern between Cincinnati and Lexington. Our subject’s parents remained in Kentucky until 1826, when they removed to Decatur County, Ind., and settled on a farm. In the fall of 1847 they immigrated to Knox County, Mo., where they resided until their respective deaths in 1867 and 1869. The father was a pioneer settler and farmer of Knox County, and at the time of his death owned 160 acres of land. Our subject received a common-school education in Decatur County, Ind., and at the age of nineteen began to study medicine at Greensburg, in that county, under Dr. William Armington, until the spring of 1847, when he went to Knox County, Mo., and bought a forty-acre tract of land, on which he has since resided. He began to practice his chosen profession in the summer of 1847, but in the fall of that year went to the State University at St. Louis, which he attended two consecutive sessions, graduating from the medical department and receiving his diploma in the spring of 1849. Since that time he has devoted his attention to his practice and farming, and has added to his original possessions until he became one of the largest landholders in the county, at one time owning 1,600 acres. Sarah Ann, daughter of Elijah and Mary (Boring) Wiley, was married to our subject in Rush County, Ind., November 15, 1849. She was born in the same county December 20, 1829. To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell seven children have been born, three of whom are living, viz.: Taylor R., a leading physician, of Grainfield, Kas.; Ralph Martin, living on a portion of the old homestead; and Ada Lena, who is attending the Howard Female College at Fayette, Mo. Mr. Campbell is one of the most eminent and honored citizens of Knox County, and by his energy and ability now occupies a high rank in his profession. He is a Democrat, and in 1872 was elected State representative by that party, serving satisfactorily for two years, and attending two sessions. During the township organization he represented Shelton Township, having been elected one of the commissioners. Formerly he was a Whig, but, although now an active member of his party, he is no aspirant for political honors. He is a prominent member of the F. & A. M., being a Master Mason of Novelty Lodge, No. 181; he is also a member of the R. A. Chapel, No. 93, at Edina. He and his family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.