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- BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA AND PORTRAIT GALLERY - CAMPBELL, JOHN W., was born February 23d, 1782, in Augusta county, Virginia. His parentage was Scotch-Irish, his ancestors having removed in 1612 from Argyleshire, Scotland, into the north part of Ireland, near Londonderry. Their descendants, in 1740, emigrated to America and settled in Augusta county, Virginia. When he was eight years of age John W. Campbell's father removed to Bourbon county, Kentucky. Not being, in early life, of a robust frame, John W. soon found that he was not fitted for the laborious occupation of a farmer; and as from his earliest years he had manifested a strong predilection for the attainment of knowledge, his parents sent him to a Latin school, taught by Rev. J. P. Campbell, a Presbyterian clergyman. While at this school, and living in the family of his teacher, his parents removed to Ohio (1798), whence he followed them as soon as his engagements at school had expired. He afterward studied Latin a short time under the direction of Rev. Mr. Dunlevy, in Ohio. The school was five miles from his home, but the distance was walked most cheerfully, morning and evening, by him, he considering the exercise and important step to the attainment of his cherished hopes of health and knowledge. He was afterward sent to prosecute his studies under Rev. Robert Finley, in Highland county, Ohio. (This gentleman established the first classical school in Kentucky, at which several of the most distinguished men of that State were educated.) Having made himself an excellent Latin and Greek scholar he resolved to study law; and with this view he went to Morgantown, Virginia, to receive the instruction of his uncle, Thomas Willson, who was a lawyer of distinction. Here he studied law until he obtained a license to practice, which he did in 1808, when he was admitted to the bar in Ohio, and fixed his residence at West Union, in Adams county. He was, in a short time, appointed prosecuting attorney for the counties of Adams and Highland, and such was his gentlemanly deportment and attention to business, that he soon obtained a profitable practice. In 1811, he married Eleanor, daughter of Colonel Robert Doak, of Augusta county, Virginia.
John W. Campbell soon acquired the confidence of the people of his county, which was shown on various occasions by their electing him to the State legislature. In that body he was a useful and influential member. His profession was prosecuted with success in the recess of the legislature; and such was his rise in public esteem, that he was soon considered one of the leading men of the State. In 1812, when the representation of the State in the House of Representatives of the United States was increased from one member to six, he was put in nomination for that office. His personal acquaintance was principally limited to Adams and Highland counties of the district, composed of several counties, and he was beaten by a small number of votes by his competitor. In the counties where he was known he received a very large majority of the votes. In the fall of 1816, he was elected to Congress by a very large majority, and reelected by the people of his district by an almost unamious vote five times, and until he, against their strong and reiterated remonstrances, declined being a candidate. A congressional service of ten years gave him a prominent standing in the nation. To his various duties as a representative, he was very attentive, and in the discharge of them he uniformly acted under a due sense of his obligation to his God and to his country. His name is found on many of the most important committees in the House. He envinced no dispsition to figure in debate, but seemed to be called out by a deep sense of what he owed to his constituents and the country; and he occupied no more time than was necessary to express, in a concise way, his views upon the subject under discussion. During his long and arduous service in congress, no member sustained a more unsullied character or an integrity more free from suspicion. He utterly discarded the maxim of Machiavel, that "the appearance of virture to a public man is of great advantage, but the possession of it is lumber." He was a politician of lofty bearing, - his principles never being compromised under any circumstances; and yet, he was decided and firm in his political opinions, and no man was more ready than he, on all proper occasions, publicly to avow them. With him politics were as much a matter of principle as any of the other great matters of human opinion.
Had he remained in Congress it is quite probable he would have been elevated to the speaker's chair. In political principles he was never extreme. Whilst he was utterly opposed to nullification, he was equally hostile, to that ultra protection which seemed to love sight of all interests except those of the manufacturers. And it can not be doubted that his views, which disconnected great and leading interests from the fortunes of political aspirants, and placed them upon their own intrinsic merits, were dictated by an enlightened patriotism, and ought to receive universal commendation. Leaving Congress in 1826, and cherishing a fondness for a retired and rural life, Judge Campbell removed to Brown county, and settled on a farm, which he improved with care, and for some time subsequently his attention was chiefly engrossed in the occupations of his farm, and in building a large and convenient mansion house.
In the fall of 1828, a very short time before the election, he was nominated for governor. If he consented to this step, it was with no small relunctance, as it broke in upon his retirement, and the time before the election was so short that but little hope could be entertained of success. His name, however, throughout the State, was found to carry with it great strength, and especially in those parts where sufficient time was given for reasonable exertions by his friends. He received a powerful vote, and if his party in the northern part of the State had fully appreciated his strength in other parts of it, he would, without doubt, have secured the election. On the accession of General Jackson to the Presidency, in March, 1829, John W. Campbell was nominated for the office of judge of the United States court for the district of the State of Ohio. The Senate unanimously confirmed this nomination, and it was accepted.
Brown Co., Ohio - Will abstract: John W. Campbell "of Franklin County" written 12 Aug 1833 probated 08 Nov 1834; Witnesses: D. Stooris, Jacob Horn, Samuel Raymond, George King. Names: wife - Eleanor; brothers, James, Charles, Samuel, and heirs of Joseph, deceased; sisters: Betsy Humphries, Polly Tweed, Phebe Martin, Rebecca Baird, Sara Bimpson, Fedelia Hopkins; nephew, John Baird; Elizabeth M. Lilly; Eleanor Jane Campbell; Elizabeth Ann Bimpson; and each of my nephews bearing my name. Executors: wife, Eleanor Campbell, John Patterson, Wm. Minn, and N. H. Swayns.
?Researched by Sharon Milich Kouns
(c)1999
email:Skouns7@aol.com
http://www.miles-shute-kouns-families.com/getperson.php?personID=I0154&tree=Campbell
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