Campbell, John M. The Miami Union 1912 Company B 71^{st OVI}

A man than whom none was ever more widely known in Miami county nor than whom none ever made more impress on its progress through sheer strength of character was John M. Campbell who died at his home at the corner of Franklin and Plum streets at 1:30 o’clock Tuesday morning. His health had been falling for the last four or five years and more rapidly the last year or two but he struggled hard to continue the mingling with this friends and associates which was so dear to him and not until about seven weeks ago did he give up and take to his bed. Since the course of his illness has been anxiously watched by his hundreds of friends and there was a widespread felling of personal loss when the news of his death became general on Tuesday.

John M. Campbell was born near Prymont, Montgomery county, on March 8, 1838, and was born into a hardy pioneer family, his parents being active industrious people who at his berth were living in a log house on the farm they themselves had cleared. He was always ambitious and when a young man taught school in Preble and Montgomery counties often walking many miles a day between the school and his home. When the war broke out he was 23 years of age and he and his younger brother, Thomas M. Cabell, also a teacher, dismissed their schools and enlisted, joining the same regiment, the 71st O.V.I. He served faithfully during the war and was in many engagements yet while proud of his record he was never one to call attention to it himself.

Returning from the war he entered business in Arcanum. On Dec. 22, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Carver who with two children, Rob Campbell of San Antonio, Texas, and Mr. E.E. Edgar of Troy, survives him.

After having conducted grain elevators at Arcanum and other points, Mr. Campbell came to Troy in 1878 and except for a brief residence in Kansas has since lived in this city. For a number of years he managed a grain elevator and mill here and later engaged in the dry goods business. For two terms, from 1881 to 1885, he was sheriff of the county and his record in this official capacity was an unusually excellent one. However it was comparatively late in life he found his ideal vocation. In 1888 he organized the Troy National bank and until three or four years ago he was its virtual head much of the time being president. Under his management and that of his associated this has grown to be one of the leading financial institutions of this section and he will probably be longest remembered for his part in its organization and building up. Campbell also organized banks in Bradford and Arcanum. About three years ago he withdrew from the Troy National and soon was one of the organizers of the Farmers Savings bank. He was president of the latter bank for about one year resigning on account of his failing health. He was active in many other enterprises and many of the factories and other business institutions of the city and country were fostered and assisted by him.

Socially Mr. Campbell was prominent and liked nothing better than to mingle with the oeople. He had a wonderful memory for names and faces and it has been said that at one time he know more persons in Miami county than any other two me. He retained this faculty up until his last illness to a remarkable degree. His acquaintanceship was a wide one outside the county and over the state and nation. He was an active Republican during the greater part of his life and was acquainted with the party’s leaders. He was also active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and knew its dignitaries for many years. He served as steward of the local church for a long time and did much toward its up building. He was always a great student of the Bible and much of his leisure time was devoted to its study and discussion on its teachings.

Besides his wife and children Mr. Campbell leaves one brighter, T. M. Campbell of Troy and two sisters, Mrs. A.M. McKinley of Troy and Mrs. Susan King of Pyrmont.

The funeral service will be held at 1:30 o’clock Friday afternoon at the First M.E. church, Rev. G.F.Barber and Rev. D.S. Ferguson officiating. Coleman Post G.A.R. of which the dead man was a member will attend. Burial will be in Riverside cemetery.