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James G Ambrose
SAMUEL CAMPBELL, a farmer of Rayburn township, living one and a half miles
from Cowanshannock, was born Nov. 8, 1823, in Franklin township, this county,
son of John and Catherine (Coldon) Campbell. The Campbell family is of Scotch
descent, while the Coldons came from Ireland.John Campbell was born Dec. 2, 1782, and died Jan. 31, 1851; while his
wife, born in 1779, lived until 1863. In 1825 John Campbell and his wife, with
their family, came to Rayburn township from their home in Franklin township,
locating in the woods on the old Anderson Creek road, buying seventy-five
acres. No improvements had been made on the property, but these brave pioneers
went right to work and soon built a small log cabin, 14 by 20 feet in
dimensions, with a log barn for their stock, from logs they felled to make
place for these structures. They began farming with one horse, and a little
later bought another. In time the father added land to his original holdings,
and his wife and children helped him in tilling it, so that he had time to
work on the river, thus earning some money for current expenses. The wolves,
bears and other wild animals were plentiful, and their larder was kept filled
with various kinds of game. The family had a dog which being half wolf was an
effective defense against the wild beasts which prowled about the place. There
was a large family, namely: Abbie, Nancy, William, Jane, John, Margaret,
James, Mary Ann, Josiah, David and Samuel. David died before the removal to
Rayburn township, and John and Jane died afterward.John Campbell was a Democrat. His religious convictions made him a Baptist,
and he helped to build the old Baptist church on Pine creek, now replaced by a
better building. Although he had been given but a meager education, Mr.
Campbell was always interested in securing good schools, and advocated them
upon all occasions. After locating upon his property in Rayburn township he
passed the rest of his life there, and he died in the rough log cabin his own
hands had built. Its place is now taken by a more pretentious dwelling, put up
by Samuel Campbell, who has improved the place in many other ways. An earnest,
devout man, John Campbell had a good influence on the community where he spent
so many years, and lived long enough to see his family grow to useful,
honorable maturity.Samuel Campbell, who has lived upon his present farm for eighty-nine years,
having come here in 1825, in his second year, attended school in the
neighborhood, and assisted his father while making the best of poor
educational opportunities. Farming was then carried on under many
disadvantages, for there was no nearer market than Pittsburgh, and everything
had to be transported via the Allegheny river, Mr. Campbell keeping boats for
that purpose.In 1850, Mr. Campbell was married to Nancy Campbell, born July 27, 1827,
daughter of James Campbell, her birth occurring in Buffalo township, near
Worthington. She died in 1902, firm in the faith of the Baptist Church. They
had the following children: Guy B., born in 1850, died in 1857; James K., born
in March, 1852, is unmarried, and lives on the farm place; Margaret Jane, born
July 3, 1854, is at home; Hannah Bell, born April 22, 1857, died in 1913;
Nannie C., born Nov. 14, 1859, married in 1904; Robert McClelland, of
Pittsburgh, who died in 1909, aged forty-six years, having been a carpenter
and contractor, his widow now residing with her father at home; Mary B., born
Jan. 28, 1863, married John P. Snyder of Wampum, and died April 12, 1900,
leaving six children, one having died; Anna B., born Aug. 17, 1867, died in
October, 1900; Lemuel P., born May 19, 1872, was drowned while attending high
school, July 8, 1889.Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, and, like his father, a stanch Baptist. All his
life he has been interested in advancing the educational standard of the
district, and has held various school offices. During the eighty-nine years he
has lived here he has never been off his farm a whole year. In spite of his
age he is very active, and manages his property, directing all of the work and
making arrangements for the planting of the various crops. In every respect he
is a remarkable man, and all who know him revere him, for he has many
characteristics which inspire respect.Source: Pages 574-575, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and
Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed January 1999 by Connie Mateer for the Armstrong County Beers
Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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