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Below is a family biography included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri 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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Joseph Campbell, another prominent and enterprising citizen of Rolla, is a native of the County Armagh, Ireland, and was born August 17, 1829. His father’s people were known as the Maghery Campbells, and were of Scotch descent, having immigrated and settled in the north of Ireland at an early day. His mother’s people were known as the Hatters’ Campbells, having followed the trade of hatters as a profession. The subject of this sketch, Joseph Campbell, was the eldest son of a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters. He received his education in the common schools of his native place, and worked on his father’s farm until the age of eighteen years, when he concluded to seek his fortune in America, where by force of energy and industry he won for himself his present enviable position. On reaching this country he worked for a time on a farm, and while on a visit to New York City he met a relative, with whom he went to Ohio, and engaged with him in the capacity of clerk and superintendent, the former having a contract on a railroad near Cleveland, Ohio. On the completion of this work he moved to Virginia, which was then the scene of unusual activity in railroad building, remaining near Fairmont, W. Va., nearly three years. He came to Missouri in 1855, and secured a contract on the Iron Mountain Railroad, which was then in its inception. This was his first venture on his own account, and proving remunerative, he continued in the business of railroad building, receiving a contract on the Southwest Branch of the Pacific Railroad (now the ‘Frisco Railroad) near Stanton, which being completed, he took another contract further west on the same road, in Pulaski County. About this time, 1860, the banking firm of John J. Anderson & Co., of St. Louis, failed, and he lost the accumulations of many hard years’ earnings by this failure. The Civil War then occurred which stopped operations in the building of the road. Mr. Campbell remained idle a year, and embarked in the mercantile business at Rolla, the firm name being Campbell & Co., Mr. Pat Long being the company. This venture proved very profitable. Mr. Long died in 1865, and Mr. Campbell continued to conduct the business until 1868, when it was merged into the house of Campbell, Love & Co., himself becoming a partner in the new firm. They continued together until 1871, when Mr. S. M. Smith purchased the stock of Campbell, Love & Co. Mr. Campbell, in connection with Mr. R. A. Love and W. M. Smith, engaged in the management and operation of the Rolla Mills, Mr. Love retiring in 1879, and Mr. Smith later, but Mr. Campbell remained in the mill, and has continued to serve in the capacity of president to the present time. Mr. Campbell is also a director and acting president of the National Bank of Rolla, and his connection with that institution has materially contributed to the high standing which the bank enjoys. Mr. Campbell was married June 16, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Garvey, a native of St. Louis, and the daughter of James and Catherine (Judge) Garvey. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, six now living: Mary, Joseph, Kate, Eugene, Bessie and John. Mr. Campbell is a man of marked business capacity, and one of the most solid, substantial citizens of Rolla. He was a member of the school board of Rolla for ten years, and for many years a member of the city council. He is a member of the Masonic order, having taken the degree of Royal Arch, and is a conservative Democrat in his political opinions. In 1883 he was appointed by Gov. Crittenden a member of the Board of Curators of the State University to fill the unexpired term of A. M. Millard, who resigned. Mr. Campbell was reappointed by Gov. Marmaduke in January, 1885, for six years longer, or a full term.

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This family biography is one of 71 biographies included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Phelps County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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To view a map of Phelps County, Missouri: Phelps County, Missouri Map

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