My Genealogy Hound

Mrs. Elizabeth Downey Campbell, who owns a fine farm of 120 acres in section 16, Groveland township, Oakland County, belongs to one of the honorable old pioneer families of Groveland township. Mrs. Campbell was born September 17, 1829, in the parish of Kilinski, County Down, Ireland, is a daughter of Alexander and Jane (Hamilton) Downey, and was brought by them to Michigan when she was seven years of age.

The parents of Mrs. Campbell crossed the Atlantic Ocean when she was three years of age; they settled for four years at Elba, Genesee County, New York, and came to this State in 1836. This long overland journey was made by the pioneers with their own conveyances, and they brought with them one team of horses, one yoke of cattle, three cows, two wagons and as many of their household goods as the wagons would hold. Two weeks were consumed on the trip as the way led around through Canada. Upon reaching Groveland township, Mr. Downey took up 160 acres of government land and they lived in a log house until 1844. Mr. Downey and his sons put the greater part of the land under cultivation. His death took place on this farm. His 10 children were: Elizabeth (Mrs. Campbell); Mrs. Jane Scott, who died in 1891; Alexander, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Perry, deceased; Mrs. Nancy Arthur, of Clinton County, Michigan; William, deceased; Francis and Silas, of Groveland township, Oakland County; Mrs. Clara Scott; and Edwin, deceased.

On May 30, 1854, Elizabeth Downey was married to Allen Campbell, who was born November 11, 1817, in Scotland, and on coming to this country settled first in New Jersey, then removed to New York and in 1847 came to Michigan, where he died, in Groveland township, Oakland County, June 22, 1883, aged 65 years. His life was one filled with many adventures and he was one of the most prominent citizens of Groveland township for many years, one whose memory should be preserved among the leading men of Oakland County. His grandmother brought him with her from Aberdeen, Scotland, at the age of 10 years, and he was given excellent educational advantages both in New Jersey and New York. At the age of 17 years he went to sea and followed a life upon the water until 1847 when he came to Groveland township, this county. He took up 120 acres of school land and converted it from its wild state into one of the finest and most productive farms in the township. He was a Democrat in political life and held many public offices. During 1875 and 1876 he was the Representative from the First District of Oakland County in the Legislature and was always recognized as a man of great ability. He was a loyal American citizen and during the Mexican War commanded the United States armed express transport (schooner) “Heroine,” running between the United States and Mexico. He was buried with the impressive ceremony of the Masonic fraternity, of which he had long been a member, and was interred at the Hadley Cemetery. The three children of Captain and Mrs. Campbell were: Alexander J., a prominent farmer of Groveland township, Oakland County, who was married to Adeline H. Hadley; Nettie Jane, who is the wife of William P. Wright of Davisburg, whose sketch will be found in this work; and Fannie Janet, who married George Eden, who farms Mrs. Campbell’s land. Mr. Eden cultivates 90 acres, 30 acres of the estate being in fine timber. A comfortable residence and two large barns were built by Mr. Campbell. Mrs. Campbell is well known in her locality and is very highly regarded. She is one of the surviving members of that pioneer band which the present generation regards with the greatest measure of respect and esteem.