Biography - Orange L. Campbell
ORANGE L. CAMPBELL, editor of the Knox Republican, is the son of Elisha
and Mary A. (Lowell) Campbell, the former of Ohio, the latter of Maryland;
he was born in Knoxville March 7, 1852; educated in the public schools and
the printing office; learned the printing trade quite young; is City Clerk
of Knoxville; was married June 19, 1873, to Miss A. S. Bull [the Illinois
Statewide Marriage Index lists a Orange Campbell marrying a Augusta Bull in
Knox County on June 19, 1873], who has borne him two children; a
Presbyterian in religious faith and Republican in politics.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County,
Illinois published by Charles C. Chapman.
ORANGE LOWELL CAMPBELL, whose authority and influence constitute that chief
factors that shape the policy of the Knox County Republican, and who is the
subject of this sketch, was born in Knoxville, March 7, 1852. His father, Elisha
Campbell, was a native of Gallipolis, Ohio, where he was born the 1st of August,
1822. His grandfather was second cousin to Campbell, the poet.
As a prominent physician the grandfather of the present representative of the
Campbell family won for himself, during the time of his practice, a name that is
still remembered. First coming to Illinois, in 1850, and locating in Quincy,
where he lived up until the time of his demise, he attracted very general
attention by the devotion shown to his profession. The father of the present
subject attained to manhood in Ohio, and in his 16th year commenced to face the
world on his own account. He learned the trade of a plasterer, and followed this
occupation in Ohio, up to 1850, when he came to Illinois. He had been previously
well educated, and on his arrival at the last-named place engaged in teaching
both in Quincy and Peoria. In 1852 he came to Knoxville, and here employed his
time in teaching school during the winter, while for the remainder of the year
he worked in his trade. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion (1861)
he shouldered his musket and went forth to battle for the defense of his county,
enlisting in the 83rd Regiment Illinois Voluntary Infantry. He was a brave
soldier and held in high esteem by his comrades in arms, being promoted four
different times. He assisted largely in raising a company of colored soldiers,
by whom he was greatly beloved, but through the chicanery of others he was
deprived of any pecuniary reward for the untiring and intelligent labors whereby
he might have had something with which to support his family in comfort through
the balance of a life prematurely broken down by the disease-breeding districts
of the South. While hunting for guerillas near Fort Donelson, Tenn., he was
injured in attempting to remove a gun carriage from a ditch, and from the
effects of this he is slightly though permanently crippled. Aside from this, and
a slight wound in the hand from a rebel bullet, he was mustered out at the close
of the war without further injuries.
In 1872 he removed to Red Oak, Iowa, and resumed his trade, working
continuously, with the spirit of a man broken down, for the next few years, when
he removed to Emerson, Mills County, where he still resides. In 1851 his life
was destined to experience a change and he married Mary A. Lowell [the Illinois
Statewide Marriage Index lists a Elisah Campbell marrying a Mary Lowell in
Peoria County on May 20, 1851], the lady being a native of Maryland, and the
marriage resulting in the birth of ten children, of which Orange Lowell was the
eldest.
The subject of our sketch received his earliest education in the public schools
of Knoxville, until, at the age of 13, he entered the office of the Knox County
Republican, where he became acquainted with all the necessary routine of
printing and publishing a local journal, at the same time supporting his
father's family, while the latter was fighting for his country. He afterward
entered the office of the Quincy Herald, and remained there for one year. He
became proprietor, February 24, 1876, of the journal of which he is now
editor-in-chief, enlarging it from four to eight pages, only issuing in all two
numbers of the four-page paper that had been. He married Augusta S. Bull [the
Illinois Statewide Marriage Index lists a Orange Campbell marrying a Augusta
Bull in Knox County on June 19, 1873], the daughter of William and Phoeba
(Stowe) Bull. This lady was a native of Milford, Conn., and became the mother of
two children - Sterling H. and Lottie W.
It is almost needless to say that Mr. Campbell in politics is a true
representative of the Republican party, and while maintaining his principles
with all the vigor and eloquence necessary to present them to public notice, he
is sufficiently just to fairly investigate opposing views and opinions. At the
present date he olds the positions of City and Township Clerk. As members of the
Presbyterian Church, himself and wife take a decided interest in the welfare of
that body, beside being recognized members of the Knox County Bible Society. He
is also a member of the Knox County Agricultural Society, and Secretary and
Treasurer of the Old Settler's Association. In him the Illinois Press
Association has found an exceedingly active member. No measure likely to promote
the advancement of that body escapes his notice, or is passed without his having
a voice for or against its adoption. He is a member of Knoxville Lodge, No. 66,
A. F. & A. M., and Knox Lodge, No. 126, A. O. U. W. Of this latter he is a
charter member, being one of the earliest to organize.
This gentleman has created for himself so numerous a body of personal friends
that it is not likely that his name or influence will soon pass out of the
community in which he has so long been recognized as a directing spirit.
Contributed by Pat Thomas, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical
Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 591.
