CAMPBELL-Robert - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Robert CAMPBELL, a leading citizen, and for nearly a half century successful merchant tailor of Newtown, Fountain County, Indiana and but recently retired from active work is ably represented in the business world by his energetic sons, who are now prominently connected with various commercial interests in the county. In the conduct of his business and in daily walk of life our subject has ever been most upright and honorable and thus deservedly won the esteem and confidence of the general public whose good will and custom he has enjoyed for a long time. The ancestors of Mr. Campbell are as his name would indicate of Scotch origin. It is certain that the Campbells left their native "heath" at a very early period and that here in the"land of the free" they established homes and reared families of sons and daughters who were closely identified with the history and foundation of our country's independence. The Campbells are recorded as having fought bravely during the Revolutionary War, and their descendants have ever occupied a respected position among the honest, intelligent, law abiding citizens of the United States. The parents of our subject were James and Sarah Hoffman Campbell. The father was born in NJ and mother PA and undoubtedly a direct descendant of the family of Hoffmans who came from Germany and settled among the substantial and worthy colonists of the Quaker State. James Campbell married his wife in the state of her nativity and there they began together life's duties and as their famly clustered about them taught to teach child the lessons of honest industry, which well fitted their sons and daughters to become energetic and self-reliant men and women. Robert Campbell was born in the pleasnat home in Northumberland Co PA 1821 and there received his education and learned his trade. In 1843, having attained his majority he determined to try his fortunes in the farther west and journeying to Indiana located in his present home, which has been his permanent residence ever since. Arriving in Newtown, at 22, with no capital save his ability and energy, our subject has been prospered, and now at 3 score years and 10 enjoys a competence earned by years of honest toil and wise investment. In 1853 Mr. Campbell united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Scott a daughter of H. S. Scott, who is very widely known as one of the early pioneers who migrated from VA to Fountain Co. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are the parents of 3 children: Herber, Robert and Sarah, wife of Albert VanDervolegen, whose father and mother were among the pioneers of the state and intimately associated with the early history of the county's settlement. The sons Herbert and Robert are progressive citizens, deeply interested in building up the local interests of their home, and are active in every enterprise of merit in their locality. THeir efficient ability and upright character have gained them a prominent position in both social and business circles of the county. Our subject and his family are all Presbyterians, valued members of the church, and active workers in thebenevolent and religious duties demanded of that organization. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and has for many years been connected with that honorable and ancient society. During his entire life he has been deeply interested in politics, regarding the conduct of national and local affairs as the deciding fator in the prosperity of the republic. "Born" a Democrat, he changed his convictions witht he times and is now a stanch Republican and never fails to do his duty on election day.

Robert CAMPBELL, merchant and merchant tailor, Newtown was the 12th child in a family of 14 children and was born in Northumberland Co PA Nov 15, 1821. His parents were James and Sarah uffman Campbell. He was reared on his father's farm and at age 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 find none that pleased him so well as the spot which has been his home 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 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 apointment 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 functionary "swung around 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 Co Ind; she died in August 1851 and two years after 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.