Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties,
Indiana (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 503
Robert CAMPBELL, a leading citizen, and for nearly a half century successful
merchant tailor of Newtown, Fountain County, Indiana and but recently
retired from active work is ably represented in the business world by his
energetic sons, who are now prominently connected with various commercial
interests in the county. In the conduct of his business and in daily walk of
life our subject has ever been most upright and honorable and thus
deservedly won the esteem and confidence of the general public whose good
will and custom he has enjoyed for a long time. The ancestors of Mr.
Campbell are as his name would indicate of Scotch origin. It is certain
that the Campbells left their native "heath" at a very early period and that
here int he "land of the free" they established homes and reared families of
sons and daughters who were closely identified with the history and
foundation of our country's independence. The Campbells are recorded as
having fought bravely during the Revolutionary War, and their descendants
have ever occupied a respected position among the honest, intelligent, law
abiding citizens of the United States. The parents of our subject were
James and Sarah Hoffman Campbell. The father was born in NJ and mother PA
and undoubtedly a direct descendant of the family of Hoffmans who came from
Germany and settled among the substantial and worthy colonists of the
Quaker State. James Campbell married his wife in the state of her nativity
and there they began together life's duties and as their famly clustered
about them taught to teach child the lessons of honest industry, which well
fitted their sons and daughters to become energetic and self-reliant men and
women. Robert Campbell was born in the pleasnat home in Northumberland Co PA
1821 and there received his education and learned his trade. In 1843,
having attained his majority he determined to try his fortunes in the
farther west and journeying to Indiana located in his present home, which
has been his permanent residence ever since. Arriving in Newtown, at 22,
with no capital save his ability and energy, our subject has been prospered,
and now at 3 score yers and 10 enjoys a competence earned by years of honest
toil and wise investment. In 1853 Mr. Campbell united in marriage to Miss
Mary J. Scott a daughter of H. S. Scott, who is very widely known as one of
the early pioneers who migrated from VA to Fountain Co. Mr. and Mrs.
Campbell are the parents of 3 children: Herber, Robert and Sarah, wife of
Albert VanDervolegen, whose father and mother were among the pioneers of the
state and intimately associated with the early history of the county's
settlement. The sons Herbert and Robert are progressive citizens, deeply
interested in building up the local interests of their home, and are active
in every enterprise of merit in their locality. THeir efficient ability and
upright character have gained them a prominent position in both social and
business circles of the county. Our subject and his family are all
Presbyterians, valued members of the church, and active workers int he
benevolent and religious duties demanded of that organization. Mr. Campbell
is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and has for many years been connected
with that honorable and ancient society. During his entire life he has been
deeply interested in politics, regarding the conduct of national and local
affairs as the deciding fator in the prosperity of the republic. "Born" a
Democrat, he changed his convictions witht he times and is now a stanch
Republican and never fails to do his duty on election day.