Biographical Sketch (1912):2828, p. 886. John F. Campbell of Palmer, Nebraska, formerly a resident of section eight, township fourteen, range eight, Merrick county, is a well known pioneer of eastern Nebraska, settling in this part of the state in 1874. He was born in Porter county, Indiana, on April 2, 1840, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Frame) Campbell. He was sixth in a family of seven children, one brother of whom resides in Nebraska, as does also a sister; two sisters reside in Indiana; and one brother and one sister are deceased, as are also the parents; the father died January 20, 1884, and the mother died in March, 1895, both in Indiana. Our subject received his education in the home schools, and later engaged in farming.

On February 22, 1865, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Penrose, of Knox county, Ohio, and later of Indiana. In the spring of 1874, Mr. Campbell with his wife and four children came to Merrick county, Nebraska, and homesteaded eighty acres of land in section eight, township fourteen, range eight, west, where he lived for five years; then purchased one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the homestead, and moving on to the same, building a good house, and adding other improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have had nine children: Elmer, who is married, has seven children and resides in Burwell, Nebraska; Etta, wife of William Bice, has two children and lives in Merrick county; Nancy, wife of Peter Petersen, has six children and resides in Burwell; Mary, wife of John Coolridge lives in Merrick county and has one child; Clara, wife of James Klye has four children and resides in Merrick county; Andrew, married, has two children and resides in Wolbach, Nebraska; Laura, wife of Edward Terry, has five children and lives in Scotia, Nebraska; Myrtle, who resides at home; and Delbert who is married and lives on the home farm.

Mr. Campbell has been prosperous and successful, and from time to time has purchased land, and now owns four hundred acres of fine stock and grain land. He was instrumental in organizing his school district number forty-one, and served as director of same for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are among the earliest settlers of the county, and have passed through all the discouragements and trying experiences incidental to frontier life, and are widely and favorably known.

1840 U.S. Census:2277 John enumerated in the household of his father Samuel Campbell in Porter County, Indiana, as one of two males under the age of four, the other being his brother William, age 2. Other household residents were father Samuel, mother Elizabeth, brother Newton, and sisters Margaret J. and Amanda M.

1850 U.S. Census:1381 John enumerated in the household of his father Samuel Campbell on 14 September 1850 in Porter Township, Porter County, Indiana as a male, age 9, born in Indiana, in school within the year. Others in the household were father Samuel, age 53; mother Elizabeth, age 46; sister Margaret J., age 24; brother Newton, age 18; brother William F., age 12; sister Elizabeth, age 7; and sister Nancy, age 5.

1860 U.S. Census:1520 John enumerated in the household of his father Samuel Campbell on 6 September 1860 in Porter Township, Porter County, Indiana as a male, age 20, farm laborer, born in Indiana. Other residents of the household were father Samuel, age 63; mother Elizbeth, age 55; sister (Margaret) Jane, age 36; brother William, age 24; sister Elizabeth, age 18; and sister Nancy, age 16.

1916 Tombstone:2828 Rose Hill Cemetery, Palmer, Merrick County, Nebraska.
John F. Campbell
April 2, 1840
May 22, 1916