N. M.
CAMPBELL. The subject of the following brief history owns and occupies a good
farm on section 32, Bloomington Township, and is successfully engaged in general
agriculture and stock-raising. His homestead consists of 120 acres of finely
improved land, stocked with good cattle, and supplied with a fine set of frame
buildings.
With
the exception of a few years Mr. Campbell has made this place his home since he
came to McLean County in 1849. N. M. Campbell was born in Monroe County, Ind., March 30, 1842. His father, Rev. John
G., and his mother, Sallie A. (Campbell) Campbell, were both natives of Bourbon
County, Ky., and descended from excellent Scotch-Irish ancestry.
They were reared and married in their native State, and soon afterward came
North to Monroe County, Ind., where, after eleven
years, and the birth of three children, they returned to Kentucky on account of failing health. While in
Indiana the father of our subject had frequently officiated in the pulpit of
the Christian Church and followed preaching afterward with the exception of a
few years.
After
their return to Kentucky, Mr. Campbell became greatly opposed
to the principles of slavery and decided to remove away from it. He accordingly
proceeded to Illinois, where freedom reigned and all enjoyed their liberty. He
secured a wild tract of land in McLean County, on which stood a small log
cabin, into which he removed his family.
He now
began to preach in earnest, and his health greatly improved, by the change. He
labored faithfully among the settlers with good results, and on the 3d of
April, 1853, was greatly pleased in being able to assist in the organization of
the Grassy
Ridge Christian Church, which started in with about a dozen members and Mr.
Campbell as Elder and minister.
In due time a church edifice was erected on section
32, and upon ground donated by Wilson Lindley. The church thus started has been
well kept up, and the building still occupied for religious purposes. Rev. J.
G. Campbell conducted the services of this charge for about a quarter of a
century, and in the meantime also officiated at other places and was an active
agent of the McLean County Missionary Society. The good seed thus early sown by
the father of our subject sprang up and brought forth fruit, and is felt to-day
in the religious influences which prevail throughout that locality.
The
subject of our sketch in early life was greatly devoted to his parents, and
labored on his father's farm early and late. He attended the common schools
during the winter seasons until he was twenty years of age and remained under
the parental roof until his marriage.
This
interesting event took place Oct. 27, 1864, at the home of the bride's parents
in Bloomington Township, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary S. Quinn,
daughter of S.
M. and S. A. (Boulware) Quinn, of Richmond, Ky. Her parents
were born and married in the Blue Grass State, and the father died at the old
home in Bloomington
Township in 1882, aged
about sixty-six years. Mrs. Campbell was born in Kentucky, May 23, 1847, and came North with her
parents when a young child, living with them in Bloomington Township
until her marriage.
She has
become the mother of two sons: Charles L., born March 10, 1866, and Ira C.,
Oct. 18, 1869. Both have received a good education and are living at home with
their parents.
Mr.
Campbell and his family are active members of the Christian Church in Grassy
Ridge, of which our subject has held the office of Deacon for several years and
is now Elder in the church at Bloomington.
In politics he is a stanch adherent of the Republican party.
Portrait and biographical album of McLean County,
Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent
and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies
of all the governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of the United States. (Chicago:
Chapman Brothers, 1887), 293. Transcribed
by Judy Rosella Edwards. Please link to
this page if you find it useful – and drop us a note if you do!
