Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    VICTOR E. CAMPBELL

    Victor E. Campbell is the proprietor of an elevator and grain warehouse at West Milton and handles much of the grain shipped from this section of the county. He is widely known as a progressive and representative business man, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present to our readers his life record, which began in Johnsville, Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 25th of August, 1873, when he first opened his eyes to the light of day. His father, Jesse K. Campbell, was a son of John G. and Margaret (Ware) Campbell, and was a native of Montgomery county, his birth having occurred near Pyrmont, on the 8th of March, 1836. On the old homestead farm the days of his boyhood and youth were passed and in the public schools he acquired his elementary education. When about twenty-five years of age he began teaching, following that profession for two years in both Trotwood and Eaton, Ohio. Subsequently he was traveling salesman for a grocery firm for two years and then engaged in the grocery business in Liberty, Ohio, for a similar period. On the 29th of May, 1864, he was married and removed to a farm near Johnsville, Ohio, and spent the summer months in the fields, while in the winter season he engaged in teaching school for seven years. In 1879 he removed to West Milton, where, in connection with his brother John, he built an elevator, carrying on business as a grain merchant until his death, which occurred February 10, 1899, when he was sixty-two years, eleven months and five days old. He also owned and operated an elevator at Lewisburg and in partnership with his son, Victor E., owned an elevator at Kessler Station. Prosperity attended his business pursuits, which were prosecuted along well defined lines of labor, and in addition to his grain business he was owner of a valuable farm in Union township of sixty acres, one in Preble county, of one hundred and six acres, one in Darke county of eighty acres, and his elevators and home residence in West Milton. All that he possessed was acquired through his own efforts, and to his capable management and keen discrimination his success was attributable. He voted with the Republican party, but never sought or desired office. In early life he was an active member of the United Brethren church, but after his removal to West Milton, as there was no organization of that denomination here, he attended the services of the Society of Friends. He was a teacher in the Sunday school, having charge of the old people's Bible class for fifteen years. Ever active in church work, he did all in his power to promote the cause of Christianity among his fellow men, and gave one-tenth of his earnings to church and charitable work. He wedded Mary A. Hutchinson, who was born near Troy, Miami county, and when fifteen years of age went with her parents to Dayton, where she was married at the age of twenty-three years. She, too, was a member of the United Brethren church and reared her family in that faith. She became the mother of seven children, all of whom are yet living, namely: Jennie V., wife of Charles T. Pierce, of Lewisburg, Ohio; Lola Belle; Victor E.; Celia, who has attended college at Valparaiso, Indiana; Margaret, who is a student in a medical college at Indianapolis, Indiana; John G., who is pursuing his education in the high school at West Milton; and Jessie Gaynell, who is living with her eldest sister in Lewisburg.

    Victor E. Campbell was only six years old when he came with his parents to West Milton, where his boyhood days were passed. He obtained his literary education in the schools here and afterward pursued a commercial course in the school conducted by A. D. Welt, of Dayton, Ohio. At the age of nineteen years he entered the employ of a proprietor of an elevator at West Milton, in whose service he continued for three years, Then he entered into partnership with his father, owning a half interest in the business. They carried on operations here for four years, at the end of which time they each purchased a third interest in an elevator at Kessler, and the firm of Campbell, Younce & Campbell was formed. They still retain their interest in that enterprise, but Mr. Campbell, of this review, continues to make his home in West Milton and is active in the management of the grain business at this place.

    On the 23d of November, 1893, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Mattie B. Thompson, of Union township, Miami county, a daughter of Wesley Thompson. Their home is blessed with the presence of two daughters: Gladys, who was born June 21, 1894; and a baby, born May 2, 1900. Mr. Campbell votes with the Republican party on questions of national importance, but at local elections, where no issue is involved, he is independent in politics. Socially he is connected with Stillman Lodge, No. 165, I. O. O. F., of Milton, and attends the Friends church. His mother died May 15, 1899, surviving her husband only three months. Both passed away at the eighth hour of the day. At the request of the father the property has never been divided and is managed by our subject and his brother-in-law. Mr. Campbell is widely recognized as a leading young business man of the town, energetic, capable and resolute, and in the control of his interests he has added to the success which has long attended the conduct of the grain business in West Milton.

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