T. A. E. Campbell, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of T. A. E. Campbell
T. A. E. CAMPBELL.
(DECEASED.)
When a citizen of worth and character has departed from this life it is proper that those who survive him should keep in mind his life-work, and should hold up to the knowledge and emulation of the young his virtues and the characteristics which distinguished him and made him worthy the esteem of his neighbors. We therefore present to our readers a narrative of the life of the representative citizen whose name heads these pages. T. A. E. Campbell was born in Montgomery County, New York, in July, 1810, and of Scotch descent, being, it is supposed, a descendant of the famous Campbell family of that country. His grandfather was the first of the family to come to this country, and he settled in the Empire State, where he and his descendants were classed among the first people. Our subject received a liberal education in his native State for that day, and about 1833 he came West to Porter County, Indiana, locating in Valparaiso before the town amounted to anything. He came through with wagons with his uncle, and besides trading quite extensively with the Indians after coming here he also taught school. He was probably the first postmaster of Valparaiso, holding that office for some time, and was also deputy county clerk. In 1841 he was elected collector and treasurer of Porter County, and went on horseback to Indianapolis to make his returns, it taking about two weeks to make the trip. This office he held for two terms. Later he was appointed postmaster, but did not accept the office. For a number of years after this he was engaged in merchandising, and he bought about three hundred acres of land, on a considerable portion of which stands the city of Valparaiso. Mr. Campbell, who was a pioneer of Porter County, was thoroughly identified with the interests of the same, and was recognized by all as one of its representative citizens. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and Sons of Temperance. His death occurred in 1876. He was married to Miss Margaret Parkinson, a daughter of Gibson and Mary (Rogers) Parkinson, the father a native of England and the mother of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson came through in wagons to Lake County, Indiana, in 1836, and the father entered a tract of land on the prairie. In a small one-roomed cabin, covered with clapboards, this worthy couple began their career as pioneers, and remained on this farm for many years. Later they removed to LaPorte County, and located at Door Village, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Campbell's father was a blacksmith by trade. He had six sons and three daughters, only two of whom now survive. Mrs. Campbell, who now makes her home with her son-in-law, Col. A. E. Woodhull, and Lewis Parkinson, of Kansas. Mr. Campbell was largely instrumental in securing the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago R. R. through Valparaiso, donating the right of way and the depot site both here and at Wheeler. He was a liberal donor to all churches and schools, and his name is honored throughout the community.
Source: Goodspeed Brothers. 1894. Pictorial and Biographical Record of La Porte, Porter, Lake and Starke Counties, Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Brothers. 569 p.
Page(s) in Source: 84-85
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook