My Genealogy Hound

J. W. CAMPBELL, a retired farmer and stock dealer of Holden, was born in Rowan County, N. C, March 8, 1828, and is a son of Eli and Martha (Renshaw) Campbell. When but ten years of age his parents removed to Monroe County, Ind., where they lived a number of years, and in 1853 removed to McDonough County, Ill., where his mother died in 1854, and his father in 1857.

In 1849 our subject went to Adams County, Ill., where he engaged in working by the month at a salary of $13. He remained there until 1851, when he went to McDonough County, Ill., and started to farm for himself on rented land. He prospered fairly well, and in 1856 purchased eighty acres of land at $18 per acre. In that year he was married to Miss Mary E. Paine, and at once went to housekeeping upon the farm which he had just bought. He continued to there reside until 1866, when he sold out and moved to Johnson County, Mo., where, in company with his father-in-law, he purchased four hundred and forty acres of land at $25 per acre. He still owns the greater portion of that tract, and in the ‘80s bought one hundred and ten acres more in Madison Township. He also owns another tract of one hundred and eighty seven acres in the same township, together with six acres in the city of Holden, in addition to his residence and a house which he rents. His wife died June 24, 1887.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell: Mary, who married U. H. Boon, a farmer of Madison Township; Alice Ann, who died at the age of six years; and Cora E. and Flora A., twins, who still remain at home and serve as housekeepers for their father.

Eli Campbell, father of our subject, was a strong Henry Clay Whig, but on the dissolution of that party, early in the ‘50s, he became a Democrat, and in 1856 voted that ticket. Our subject is a life-long Democrat, and cast his first Presidential ballot in 1852 for Franklin Pierce. He has been a member of the Christian Church since 1855. His wife also held membership with the same denomination from her girlhood, and his children belong to the same church.