Robert CAMPBELL, a leading armer of Ringgold County, is a native of Indiana, born in Madison County, June 12, 1842, a son of John and Susan (WILLIAMSON) CAMPBELL, his father a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Maryland. In the fall of 1856 his parents moved to Iowa, and settled in Ringgold County, buying a tract of land on section 10, Washington Township. The father died in 1881, and the mother is still living. They had a family of twelve children, ten of whom are living, our subject [Robert] being the fourth.

He was reared a farmer, remaining at home until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when, in September, 1861, he enlisted [as a Private] in the Union army, and was assigned to Company I, Forth Iowa Cavalry, and served until August [8], 1865 [mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia]. He was captured near Helena, Arkansas, when on a scouting expedition, and was held a prisoner from March till September, when he was paroled and sent to St. Louis, and a month later was exchanged and joined his regiment at Memphis, Tennessee. At Selma, Alabama, he recieved a gun-shot wound through the thigh, which disabled him for a time.

After his discharge he returned to his father's farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits, and after his marriage settled on the farm where he now lives, which contains 160 acres of choice land.

He was married in 1869 to Sarah A. MUMFORD, who died in April, 1884, leaving one daughter - Estella M.

In politics Mr. CAMPBELL is a Republican.

NOTE: Robert's mother Susannah Jane "Susan" (WILLIAMSON) CAMPBELL was born April 18, 1818 in Caroline County, Maryland, the daughter of Elijah and Sarah Whitely (SMITH) WILLIAMSON. She was married on May 12, 1836 in Indiana to John W. CAMPBELL. John W. CAMPBELL, son of Abraham CAMPBELL, was born May 3, 1808 in Pennsylvania. John died August 5, 1880. Susan died in Diagonal, Ringgold County, Iowa on April 25, 1910. Susan and John were interred at Centenary Cemetery near Knowlton, Ringgold County, Iowa. Susan and John were the parents of twelve children:

1) Elizabeth (CAMPBELL) SHIELDS, born 05 Apr 1837, IN; died 12 Aug 1910, Union Co. IA
    interment Hopeville Cemetery, Clarke Co. IA
    married 1852, Diagona IA to John H. SHIELDS, Jr.
    Children: Mary Ann (SHIELDS) DECKER, Westley Nolan SHIELDS, Charles Emery SHIELDS,
                 Susan Jane (SHIELDS) DECKER, Joseph Hopkins SHIELDS,
                 Effie May (SHIELDS) GERMAN, Abraham C. SHIELDS who died in infancy,
                 Cora Bell (SHIELDS) GERMAN, William Henry SHIELDS,
                 Clara Otis (SHIELDS) BULLOCK; Dora Della (SHIELDS) YOUNG,
                 and Elizabeth (SHIELDS) DENLY

2) Charles CAMPBELL, born 1838; died, 19 Sep 1889, Ringgold Co. IA
    interment Centenary Cemetery near Knowlton, Ringgold Co. IA

3) Elijah CAMPBELL

4) Robert L. CAMPBELL married Sarah A. MUMFORD

5) Mary Jane (CAMPBELL) BIRD, born 17 Feb 1847, IN; died 20 Feb 1928, Diagonal IA
     married 15 May 1862, IA to Joseph BIRD, born 05 Jun 1841; died 04 Feb 1927
    Mary Jane and Joseph interred Centenary Cemetery near Knowlton IA

6) Margaret Ann CAMPBELL

7) John L. CAMPBELL

8) Hugh CAMPBELL, born 13 Jul 1851, died 21 May, 1921, inter: Centenary Cemetery, Knowlton IA;

9) Sarah E. CAMPBELL

10) Susan Caroline CAMPBELL

11) Willamina CAMPBELL

13) Rebecca Jane (CAMPBELL) POWELL, born 1859; died 1943
      married Samuel H. POWELL (1860-1936)
      Rebecca and Samuel interred at Centenary Cemetery near Knowlton IA

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 357-58, 1887.

American Civil War Soldiers Database, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z