"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 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 County, Indiana; 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." - History of Fountain County, Indiana, by H.W. Beckwith, 1881
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 County, Indiana; 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." - History of Fountain County, Indiana, by H.W. Beckwith, 1881
"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 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 County, Indiana; 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." - History of Fountain County, Indiana, by H.W. Beckwith, 1881
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 County, Indiana; 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." - History of Fountain County, Indiana, by H.W. Beckwith, 1881
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