This substantial farmer and representative citizen of Milton township, Antrim county, is another of the worthy citizens whom the dominion of Canada has given to the state of Michigan. He was born in the province of Ontario, on the 22d of October, 1836, and is a son of Angus and Catherine (McDonald) Campbell, both of whom were likewise born and reared in Canada, being of sterling old Scotch stock, as the names imply. The father became one of the prosperous farmers of Ontario county, Ontario, and there continued to reside until his death, as did also his devoted wife, while both ever commanded the unqualified esteem of all who knew them.
The youthful years of the subject of this review were passed on the old homestead farm and his early educational privileges were such as were afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. Upon initiating his independent career he naturally continued to follow the vocation to which he had been reared, and it may be said that he has never abated his allegiance to and appreciation of the great fundamental art and science of agriculture, through his association with which he has attained to a high degree of prosperity. As a young man Mr. Campbell came over from Canada into Michigan, and in the year i860 he numbered himself among the pioneer settlers of Antrim county, where he has ever since maintained his home and where he has aided in the march of progress and development. During the earlier years of his residence in this section of the state he was actively identified with the great lumbering industry, which line of enterprise was practically the only one then carried forward here. In 1874 he purchased a portion of his present farm, in section 36, Milton township, and instituted the task of clearing off the heavy growth of timber. He now has a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, the greater portion of which is under effective cultivation, and the entire reclamation of the place was made through his efforts, while he has erected good buildings and made other improvements of the best type. He has ever shown himself to be a loyal and public-spirited citizen, and in politics gives his allegiance to the Democratic party. He has served as a member of the school board of his district and also as a member of the board of review of his township, and fraternally he is identified with the local organization of the Grange. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Roman Catholic church at Elk Rapids, and his wife belongs to the Episcopal church.
In 1878 were pronounced the words which united the life destinies of Mr. Campbell and Miss Flora Purcell, who was born in Canada and who is a daughter of Dougall and Jean (Morrison) Purcell. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have two children, John H. and Catherine J., who still remain members of the home circle.
Source: Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens; Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1905.