Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 848 - 849

STEPHEN M. S. CAMPBELL. The subject of this personal narrative is one of the most successful and progressive farmers within the borders of Waco Township, and may be called one of the pioneer citizens, having preempted the farm on section 3, where he is at present living, in April, 1871. He has made his special field of industry an eminent success, and is highly esteemed and respected by those who know him best.

            Mr. Campbell is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Beaver County, Aug. 20, 1842, and is the son of Josiah and Rosanna (Teal) Campbell. His father, who was also a native of the Keystone State, was born in 1806, and followed the business of carpentering until his death, which took place Dec. 12, 1858. The mother of our subject, also a Pennsylvanian, was born Jan. 22, 1804, and died in May, 1876. They were the parents of the following children: Catherine, Elizabeth, Samuel, James T., John J., two who died in infancy, Stephen M. S., Thomas F. and Nannie A.

            The subject of this sketch received his education in his early boyhood, and remained at home until the death of his father, which occurred when he was about fourteen years of age, and then commenced the battle of life for himself. After spending about three years and a half upon a farm in the neighborhood where he was reared, he began learning the wagon and coach making trade, in Beaver County, Pa., and followed that vocation for nearly three years. About that time the war between the States broke out, and Mr. Campbell, being imbued with patriotism, enlisted in Company B, 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and participated with his regiment in most of the engagements of the Chickahominy campaign, among which were the battles of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines and Malvern Hills. After a service of about twenty months he was discharged, and returned home on account of throat disease brought on by exposure. Eighteen months later he recovered his health, and re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, and served until the close of the war. He was actively employed at the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Stone Creek Station, Farmington, Five Forks, Dinwiddie Court-House, and in the Appomattox campaign. He has had his eyes filled with the dust raised by the explosion of shells, and men killed on either side of him, but escaped entirely untouched.

            Returning to his home, Jan. 6, 1866, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Wilson. The lady of his choice was a native of Allegheny County, Pa., born Feb. 22, 1841, and died July 26, 1885. She was the mother of one child, Nannie M., who was born Oct. 12, 1866, and was called to her heavenly home Aug. 19, 1876. Obeying the divine injunction that man should not live alone, Mr. Campbell again entered into a matrimonial alliance, Oct. 5, 1886. The bride upon this occasion was Miss Annie B. McNary, a native of Washington County, Pa., born May 26, 1859, and the daughter of James P. and Jane R. (McNary) McNary, residents of Washington County, Pa. The latter were the parents of nine children, five of whom are still living, viz: James A., Annie B., John T., Ella R. and Sarah J., and four deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are the parents of one child, Annetta Pearl, whose birth occurred July 17, 1887. 

            Mr. Campbell is the owner of 160 acres of fine arable land, which he has brought to a high state of culture, and upon which he has put some very handsome and substantial improvements. The neatness and orderly appearance of the property manifests to the most casual observer the thrift and care of the proprietor, and shows conclusively that he understands his business thoroughly. A view of his place is shown in this volume. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and both he and his most estimable wife are sincere Christian people. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, taking a great interest in the work of that organization, and occupies a high place in the estimation of the people of the township.

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