My Genealogy Hound

Hon. Colin M. Campbell, ex-representative of Knox County, and a leading and prominent farmer, was born February 7, 1820, in Harrison County, Ky., and is the second child of Matthew and Dorothy (Martin) Campbell. [See succeeding sketch.] Our subject was educated at the common schools in Decatur County, Ind., and, when twenty-one years of age, began to teach, and continued teaching in the winter, and farming in the summer, for five years. In the spring of 1843 he was united in marriage to Margaret L., daughter of Stephen and Rebecca (Buddle) Sharp, natives of Kentucky. This lady was born February 18, 1824, in Bush County, Ind., and to this union five children were born. The two now living are Martha Ann, wife of Samuel K. Fowler, Jr., a farmer of Bee Ridge Township, and John W., a wholesale and retail hardware merchant of Grainfield, Kas. After his marriage, in the fall of 1843, our subject moved to Missouri, settling in Knox County, where he located upon a tract of land he had partially entered, and where he has since resided with the exception of three years when he served as sheriff, and lived in town. To his original small tract of land he added more, until he owned 1,500 acres, which he has divided with his children, until he now possesses but 900 acres, all but 120 of which are highly cultivated and improved. What he has and has had is all the result of his and his wife’s efforts and good management Mr. Campbell is highly respected and honored by the community, and in 1858 was elected sheriff of Knox County, which position he filled so well and efficiently that he was re-elected. After serving in this capacity for two terms he was more highly honored by being chosen to represent his fellow citizens in the State Legislature, which office he filled satisfactorily for a term of two years, refusing a re-nomination on account of ill health. He is a stanch Democrat and has also filled minor official positions, being justice of the peace a number of years. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and himself and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.