ROBERT CAMPBELL
Generation Four
(Special Thanks to Lois Volence for sharing her research on this Family
Line)
Robert Campbell4
(James3,
Obadiah2,
Robert1)
Born: 15 Nov 1821 Pennsylvania (prob. Northumberland County)
Died: 1893
Married 1st: Anna Louise Simpkin: abt. 1850 Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana
Born: 1838
Died: Aug 1851
Married 2nd: Mary Jane Scott abt 1853
She Born: 1832 Indiana
She Died: 1917
Children:
Herbert Campbell b. abt. 1853 Indiana
Sarah Louise Campbell
Robert Campbell b. abt. 1867 Indiana
Personal Information:
Robert Campbell was born 15 Nov 1821 in Pennsylvania (prob. Shamokin twp, Northumberland County)1. He was the son of James Campbell and Sarah Hoffman.
He migrated to Fountain County, Indiana before 18502. Robert Campbell was married twice3. He first married Anna Louise Simpkin about the year 1850. She died shortly after their marriage in August 1851. He then married Mary Jane Scott about 1853. They made their home in Newtown, Fountain County.
They remained in that area throughout the rest of their lives4;5;6. Robert made his living as both a tailor and a merchant. Robert Campbell died in 1893. His wife, Mary Jane, survived for several years and died in 1917. Robert Campbell and both of his wives were buried in Newtown Cemetery7.
The following is an excerpt from The History of Fountain County, Indiana regarding Robert Campbell:
"Robert Campbell, merchant and merchant tailor, Newtown, was the 12th child in a family of 14 children, and was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Nov 15, 1821. His parents were James and Sarah (Huffman) Campbell. He was reared on his father's farm, and at the age of 18 was apprenticed to the tailor's trade. In 1843 he came west and settled at Newtown, where he has since resided. He first traveled in Illinois and Missouri, looking for a location, but could not find one that pleased him as well as the spot which has been his home for nearly 40 years. His beginning was without means, and for some years he was compelled to work at his trade without much apparent increase of fortune, but finally work in 1853 was able to bring to Newtown a stock of furnishing goods and began a trade which he has continued without interruption since. In 1865 he commenced general merchandising also, which is still a leading feature of his business. In 1877 he associated his son Herbert with himself in the latter interest under the firm name of R. Campbell & son. During the last 12 years he has been interested in farming, having purchased 125 acres of land half a mile west of Newtown, which he has cultivated by tenants. In 1853 he accepted the appointment of postmaster; after about 5 years the office passed into other hands; in 1861 he was reappointed and has been the incumbent continuously to the present time, except a year during the administration of president Johnson, beginning with the time that that functionary "swung round the circle". Politically Mr. Campbell was for a number of years a democrat, but upon the formation of the republican party attached himself to that organization and has ever since been a firm adherent to its principles. For his enlightened public spirit and social worth he commands the universal esteem of the community in which he lives. He was married in 1850 to Miss Ann Louise Simpkins, of Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana; she died in August 1851; and two years afterward he married Miss Mary Jane Scott. By the last wife he has 3 living children: Herbert, Sarah Louise and Robert. Mr. Campbell joined the Masonic fraternity in 1850. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church."
Sources:
1. (birth of Robert Campbell) James Campbell Family Record of 1832
2. (1850 Census) (from research of Lois Volence) Robert Campbell household, 1850 U.S. Census, Richland twp, Fountain Co, Indiana, pg 119, NA series M432-145 (page ref. from Ancestry.com) -- Robert Campbell listed as a tailer and living with an Edward Atchison, farmer.
3. (biography of Robert Campbell) (from research of Lois Volence - her note stated this was sent to her by Sharon Roberts) H.W. Beckwith, History of Fountain County, Indiana, (Chicago, Ill.: H.H. Hill & N. Iddings), pgs 272/273
4. (1860 Census) (from research of Lois Volence) Robert Campbell household, 1860 U.S. Census, Fountain Co, Indiana - listed as a tailor
5. (1870 Census) (from research of Lois Volence) Robert Campbell household, 1870 U.S. Census, Fountain Co, Indiana - listed as a merchant/tailor
6. (1880 Census) (Familysearch.org) Robert Campbell household, 1880 U.S. Census, Richland twp, Fountain Co, Indiana, pg 58C, NA ref# T9-0277, FHL# 1254277; Robert Campbell 58 Pa, father NJ, mother Pa, merchant farmer; Mary J. wife, 46 In, parents Va; Herbert son, 27 In, merchant, father Pa, mother, In; Robert, son, 13 In, father Pa, mother In; Josie Duncan, other, 31 In, housekeeping, father Pa, mother Oh
7. (burial) (from research of Lois Volence) Robert Campbell and his wives are buried in Newtown Cemetery, Fountain Co, Indiana - Robert Campbell 1821-1893; wf Mary J. 1832-1917; wf Ann Louise 1838-1851