John A. Campbell is the owner of a good farm of two hundred and forty
acres situated near Augusta.  It is a well developed property
constantly increasing in value by reason of the care and labor he
bestows upon it and because of the modern improvements which he has
added thereto.  He was born in Parke county, Indiana in 1844 and is
descended from Scotch ancestry.  His father, Gustavus Campbell was
born in Scotland and died when his son John A. was a very small boy.
The mother bore the maiden name of Octavie Payne and was born in
Virginia.  Her father as and owner of slaves and a part of her dowry
was composed of negro servants.  For twelve years Gustavus Campbell
followed the sea as a sailor and then removed to Indiana where he
engaged in farming.  His wife long survived him and then passed away
in 1877.  Of their family of nine children six are living as follows;
James a resident of Augusta, Illinois; Richard, living at Coal Bluff,
Indiana; John A; Allen, George and Charles also of Indiana.  In the
district schools of his native state John A. Campbell acquired his
education and after leaving school went to live with his brother,
working on a farm and also spending some time as a farm hand in the
employ of others.  He was ambitious, however, to make a start in life
and eagerly availed himself of every opportunity for his own business
advancement.  In July 1868 he chose a companion and helpmate for life's
journey being married to Miss Susan Matthews, who was born in Hancock
county Illinois in 1853.  Her grandfather in the paternal line was a
soldier of the Revolutionary war and Mrs. Campbell can relate many
interesting stories which he told her concerning that struggle.  She
is a daughter of A. B and D. V. (Kalley) Matthews.  Her father was
born in Ohio in 1817 and her mother in Parke county Indiana, in 1827.
He devoted his life to farm work and in 1851 removed to this county,
spending much of his time here in Augusta Township.  He died in 1891
in the faith of the Christian church, of which he was a devoted
member.  His wife also belongs to that church.  Eight of their ten
children still survive, namely: Mandane, the wife of John Jones of
Oregon; Robert of Augusta township; Miles of Oklahoma; Mrs. Susan
Campbell; William Jackson of Cass County, Iowa; Harvey of Hancock
county; Edna the wife of Lincoln Smith of Hancock county and Marion
also of this county.  Mr. Campbell arrived in this County about 1864
or 1865 and lived in the August township for two years, after his
marriage.  He then removed to Indiana where he carried on farming for
two years, after which he returned to Augusta township and  invested
his little capital in twenty acres of land also on section 7.  Here he
has since added to his property from time to time as his financial
resources have increased until he now owns tow hundred and forty acres
of rich and arable land on sections 7 and 9.  His first home there was
a log cabin and he also lived in a log house in Indiana.  He had to
clear his place in order to have sufficient ground upon which to erect
a home.  He as built barns and outbuildings and now has well improved
property although when it came into his possession it was largely
covered with hazel brush.  His attention has been given to the raising
of grain and stock and his fields are richly tilled bringing forth
good harvests.  The home of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell has been blessed
with three children, all born in Augusta township: Harvey, who was
born in 1869, and married Miss Mary Young of Augusta township, by whom
he has one son Wayne; Dovie who was born in 1876, and died in 1896,
the interment being made in Irwin cemetery; and Charles, who was born
in 1880 and lives upon a farm adjoining his father's place.  He
married Etta Little and has three children Herschel and Mark, aged
respectively six and four years and baby Eva, two weeks old.  Mr. and
Mrs. Campbell endured many hardships and privations in the early days
of their married life but have gradually climbed the ladder of success
and are now comfortably situated.  No longer the owner of twenty acres
of land he has more than ten times that amount and his farm is a well
improved place, being one of the attractive features of the landscape.
In manner genial and jovial, these qualities make him popular with a
large circle of friends.  Both he and his wife are worthy people and
they hold membership in the Congregational church in which he has
efficiently served as deacon for many years.  His political
endorsement is given to the democracy.

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