CAMPBELL,  Frank B. & Jeremiah

Jeremiah CAMPBELL Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, p 1285

[father of Frank B. CAMPBELL, whose biography follows]

This well known pioneer of Winnebago County [IL] was identified with its most progressive measures, and was one of the influential citizens of Durand Township.  He was a worthy representative of a patriotic and honored famiy, some of whom early founded homes in America.  His paternal ancestors originated in Scotland and were prominent in many of the wars during the early history of this country, one member of the famiy having been a noted Captain in the War of 1812.

The parents of our subject, Samuel and Grace (PLUMB) CAMPBELL, were natives of St. Albans, VT, where the last named entered into her final rest.  About 1838 Samuel CAMPBELL moved to Winnebago County (whither he had been preceded by a son) and here spent the twilight of his life, passing away in 1844, at the age of 82.  His son Jeremiah was born 05 Apr 1818, in Grand Isle, VT, and came to IL in 1837, entereing 160 acres of Government land and engaging in clearing and cultivating the place.

The first marriage of our subject united him with Miss Lois B. HOYT, 30 Jun 1839, and one child was born of the union, a son, Edward, who married Kate SMITH; he resides in Durand Township, and is the father of three children.  On 19 Oct 1843 Jeremiah CAMPBELL was again married, choosing as his wife Miss Cynthia E. HOYT, a sister of his first wife.   This lady was born in St. Albans [Franklin County], VT, 11 Nov 1828, a daughter of Heman and Susan (FRANKLIN) HOYT.  Her grandparents, Jonathan and Lois (BRADLEY) HOYT, were natives of CT, and were pioneers of St. Albans, VT, where they spent the closing years of their lives.  Heman HOYT came to Winnebago County 03 Jan 1837, his family having arrived here the preceding Oct.  He died in Winnebago County near the place of his first settlement, at the age of 73, and his wife died at the same place when 56 years old.

When Jeremiah CAMPBELL left St. Albans, VT, he went to Wayne County, NY, where he remained some time with a sister, and after her death accompanied his brother-in-law to MI.   He came to Winnebago County with his father some time later, the journey being made with a one-horse wagon.  As he had no capital, he was obliged to operate Government land, but as soon as he had accumulated sufficient money he purchased a farm and constantly increased his landed possessions until he acquired a large property.   During the early days of his residence in this county, Chicago was the nearest market and post office, and the intervening country was sparsely settled.  Mr. CAMPBELL was a Republican, but not a partisan politician, and his place in the esteem of his fellow men was so high that his death, 25 Apr 1884, was widely mourned.

The family of our subject consisted of four children:  Romeo H., born 15 Sep 1844, is married and has five children; Eva M., born 21 Dec 1854, married Louis GOODRICH, and they reside in NE.  One child is deceased.  Frank B. was [p 1286] born 25 Jul 1846.   He was married 29 Dec 1870 to Miss Belle ADAMS, who was born in Livingston County, NY, 31 Oct 1852.  They have three children living:  Lula A., born 11 Apr 1881; Ralph E., 02 Mar 1885; and Roy, 11 Apr 1888.  The mother of this family, Mrs. Cynthia CAMPBELL, still survives in the enjoyment of good health, and makes her home in Durand Township.  The members of the family enjoy the respect of their large number of acquaintances, and their position in the community is among the best people.

2nd Biography of Jeremiah CAMPBELL

Past and Present of the City of Rockford and Winnebago County, IL, C. A. Church.   Chicago: Clarke, 1905, pp 731-732

Jeremiah CAMPBELL, who has passed away, was for many years regarded as a citizen of worth in Durand Township, where he was long connected with agricultural interests.  The ancestral history of the family has been connected with America through many generations, coming from Scotland to the new world and among the relationship were found those who loyally aided in the early wars of the country, one member of the family being a noted captain in the war of 1812.  Samuel and Grace (PLUMB) CAMPBELL, parents of Jeremiah CAMPBELL, were natives of Grand Isle, VT, and there the death of the mother occurred about 1828.  The father removed westward to Winnebago County, IL, and here spent his remaining days, passing away in 1844, at the venerable age of 82 years.  One of his sons had come to the county before the father's removal from New England.

Jeremiah CAMPBELL was born in Grand Isle, VT, 05 Apr 1818, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in VT, but when a young man of 19 years started for what was then the far west, arriving in Winnebago County in 1837.  He drove across the country with an ox team in company with his father, and they entered land from the government, becoming pioneer residents of this portion of the state.  There were only three houses in Rockford at the time of their arrival here, and the entire countryside presented the appearance of nature's handiwork, with none of the improvements or cultivation inaugurated by man, the prairie being covered with its high grases, while in certain districts stood the forest trees amid which the sound of the woodman's ax had not been heard.   Jeremiah CAMPBELL entered his claim at the land office in Dixon and built thereon a log house, which was afterward replaced by a frame residence.  He hauled his grain to the Chicago market and on one trip to that city the entire expense of the journey was 12 cents, which sum he paid for milk.  In connection with general farming he engaged in the manufacture of cheese, which he sold at Mineral Point, WI, and also at Galena, IL.   For years he carried on the work of the fields, and as his financial resources increased he bought more land until at one time he was the owner of a valuable tract of 400 acres, which he afterward sold to his son Frank.

Mr. CAMPBELL was first married 30 Jun 1839, the lady of his choice being Miss Lois B. HOYT.  Ther was one child of that marriage, Edward S., who was born 11 Dec 1840, and wedded Kate SMITH, who died at the age of 58 years, leaving three children.  On 19 Oct 1843 Jeremiah CAMPBELL was again married, wedding Miss Cynthia E. HOYT, a sister of his first wife.  She was born in St. Albans, VT, 11 Nov 1828, and was a daughter of Heman and Susan (FRANKLIN) HOYT.  Her paternal grandparents, Jonathan and Lois (BRADLEY) HOYT, were natives of CT, and became pioneer settlers of St. Albans, VT, where they spent their remaining days.  Heman HOYT, however, removed from VT on 03 Jan 1837, his family having arrived here in Oct 1836.  He died in this county near the place of his first settlement at the age of 73 years, and his wife died there when 56 years of age.  Unto the second marriage of Mr. CAMPBELL there were born four children:  Romeo H., who was born 15 Sep 1844, was married, and had five children and died at the age of 57 years; Frank B. [bio follows], born 25 Jul 1846, and now one of the extensive landowners of the county, living in [p 732] Pecatonica Township; Emma L., born 21 Dec 1854, is he wife of Louis GOODRICH, a resident of Fairmont [Fillmore County], NE.

In his political views Mr. CAMPBELL was a republican, but never sought office as a reward for his party fealty.  He held a place so high in the esteem of this fellowmen that his death, which occurred 25 Apr 1884, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.   He is still survived by his widow, who makes her home in Durand Township, and the family is much respected in the community.  No history of the county would be complete without the mention of Jeremiah CAMPBELL, who was one of the first settlers here, and aided in reclaiming the wild district for the purposes of civilization, undergoing all the hardships and privations of pioneer life in order that he might make a home and gain a comfortable living for his family.  At all times and under all circumstances he was loyal to justice, truth and right, and his genuine worth made his an honored name.

Biography of Frank B. CAMPBELL [son of Jeremiah CAMPBELL]

Past and Present of the City of Rockford and Winnebago County, IL, C. A. Church.   Chicago: Clarke, 1905, pp 292-295

Frank B. CAMPBELL, one of the extensive landowners of the county, now living in Pecatonica Township, was born in Durand Township, 25 Jul 1846.  His education was acquired in the public schools and he also attended the seminary at Durand, while an inmate of his father's home.  His parents were Jeremiah and Cynthia (HOYT) CAMPBELL.  The father came to Winnebago County in 1836 [the above bios of Jeremiah CAMPBELL give the year as 1837], driving across the country with an ox team.  He and his brother David entered land from the govenment and became pioneer residents of this portion of the state.   There were only three houses in Rockford at the time of their arrival here and the entire countryside was largely as it had come from the hand of nature, the prairie being covered with its high grases, while in certain districts stood the forest trees, amid which the sound of the woodman's ax had not been heard.  He first entered his land at Dixon and built thereon a log house, which was afterward replaced by a frame residence.   He hauled his grain to the Chicago market and on one trip to that city the entire expense of the journey was 12 cents, which sum he paid for milk.  In connection with general farming he engaged in the manufacture of cheese, which he sold at Mineral Point, WI, and also at Galena, IL.  He carried on the work of the fields, and as his financial resources increased he bought more land until a short time previous to his death, he was the owner of a valuable tract of 400 acres, which he afterward sold to his son Frank.  He was active ad influential in community affairs and held all the different township offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity.  In his political views he was a Republican.  His death occurred in Durand Township, 25 Apr 1884, while his wife is now living in that township.  He was twice married and by the first union had one son, Edward S., who was born 11 Dec 1840, and died at the age of 58 years.  The children of the second marriage were as follows:   Romeo H., who was born 15 Sep 1844, was married and died at the age of 57 years, leaving a wife and five children; Frank B., is the second; Emma L., born 10 Jun 1850, died 15 Apr 1864; and Eva M., born 24 Dec 1854, is the wife of Louis GOODRICH, and resides in Fremont, NE.

Mr. CAMPBELL was reared to farm life and as before stated was given good educational privileges.  At the age of 20 years he bought his time from his father for $150 and began farming for himself on 540 acres of land, for which he gave $1,200 per year rent.   When 21 years of age, having made some money in the previous year, he purchased 145 acres, at $28 per acre [a total of $4,060].  This was largely covered with brush or timber and he had to clear it before it was ready for the plow.  He afterwards rented his father's farm of 400 acres for which he paid $1,200 per year, and subsequently he bought this tract of 400 acres from his father, becoming its owner in 1865.  He then removed into the old home and began operating his land, for which he had paid $50 per acre [a total of $20,000].  That he worked diligently and prospered is indicated by the fact that within six years he had paid $20,000 on the property and was thus the owner of the old homestead, which he had freed from debt.  He continued farming with excellent success and has purchased more land from time to time until his realty possessions at present comprise 1,970 acres.  Upon his home place he has all modern improvements and a beautiful residence with hot and cold water and all modern improvements.  It is surrounded with fine shade trees and is one of the most attractive features of the landscape.  In his farm work Mr. CAMPBELL is systematic, determined and capable and has carried forward to completion whatever he has undertaken.  He has been engaged quite extensively in feeding cattle and hogs, feeding about 230 head of cattle in the winter of 1904 and about 300 head of hogs.  He now has about 240 head of hogs and 220 head of cattle.  His oats crop in the year 1905 was 13,000 bushels in excess of what the renters got as their share.  His wheat also yields him 30 bushels to the acre and 11 acres were planted in that crop.  In 1905 he raised 56 acres of oats, yielding 66 bushels to the acre.

On 29 Dec 1870, Mr. CAMPBELL was united in marriage to Miss Arabelle ADAMS, a native of the state of NY, and a daughter [p 295] of Daniel and Olive ADAMS, also born in NY, whence they came westward to Winnebago County about 1860.  Their only child was Mrs. CAMPBELL.  Unto Mr. and Mrs.CAMPBELL have been born the following named:  Lula, born 11 Apr 1881, married Rufus WINCHESTER, a farmer of Durand Township; Ralph, born 02 Mar 1885, and Roy, born 19 Apr 1888, are both at home; while Rena, the first born, died in infancy.

Mr. CAMPBELL is a man of domestic tastes, devoted to his family and considering no personal sacrifice on his part too great if it will promote the happiness or enhance the welfare of his wife and children.  He has held some public offices but has no ambition in this direction, preferring that others shal fill the official positions.   His support is given to the republican party.  His life record illustrates the power and force of keen discernment, strong purpose and indefatigable energy in the fields of business for through these means he has made for himself a place among the prosperous citizens of his native county.  Buying his time of his father and receiving no pecuniary assistance, as the years have gone by he has through his own efforts become a prosperous man and one whose success is equaled by the respect which is generally accorded him.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.