My Genealogy Hound

J. K. CAMPBELL, of the firm of Campbell & Bro., dealers ingrain and seeds, West Milton; he was born in Perry Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio March 8, 1836; his father, John G., was born in Warren Co., Ohio, June 22, 1806 and died June 25, 1876; his mother, Margaret (Ware) Campbell, was born in Montgomery Co. in the year 1820, and is living; they were parents of nine children seven of whom are living, viz., Jesse K., John M., Thomas M., Alonzo B., Susan King, nee Campbell, Samantha Davis, nee Campbell, and Alice McKinley, nee Campbell; the deceased are Orrin E. and Webster C. Our subject was reared on the farm on which he labored for his father until he was 20 years of age when he and his younger brothers were given their time; he leased the old homestead and for three years was successful in his labors on the farm; at the expiration of this time he conceived the idea he was in need of more education; he left the farm and entered a select school, taught by John Hiller, in his native county, and for one year he labored in his studies under instructors, and then began teaching, all the while pursuing his studies; for twenty-one years he was largely engaged in the profession and was very successful, always standing high as an educator; during vacations, he was employed as a commercial traveler; thus his time was all occupied; during one year he traveled and sold goods for William P Spencer of Richmond, Ind., another year for Smith, Alvin & Co.; after this he entered mercantile life and for two years did a general merchandising business in Liberty, Ohio; he then moved his stock in trade to Johnsville, in which he remained two years; then exchanged his goods and property for a farm in Montgomery Co in which he labored, during the summer, for five years, and resumed his work in the schoolroom during the winter; in 1879, he, with his brother, in looking up a suitable location for their business, saw in West Milton the desired point, which they immediately availed themselves of; the D., C. & T. R. R., was at that time in the course of construction, and by the time the last rail was laid, they were prepared for business, having erected a large warehouse, which is furnished with steam elevating power; both are gentlemen well qualified for the business, and will handle a heavy percentage of the surplus of crops. May 29, 1864, he was married to Mary A. Hutchinson, a daughter of James and Celia A. Hutchinson, old residents of Ohio, both deceased; they were parents of seven children, four of whom are living viz., Thomas, William, Mary A. and Celia A., the deceased are James, and two dying in infancy; Mrs. C. was born in Miami Co. May 28, 1841; to them five children have been born, all living, viz., Jennie V., Zola Victor Celia and Maggie; at the age of 20, Mr. C. united with the United Brethren Church with which he has since been identified; his wife is a member of the Christian Church with which she has been connected for a number of years; Mr. C. is a self-made man in the broadest sense which the term implies.