JAMES EDWIN CAMPBELL, lawyer, of this city, is a native of Middletown, where he was born on the 7th of July, 1843. He is the son of Dr. Andrew Campbell, of whom a full account will be found elsewhere in this work, and Laura P. Reynolds, daughter of John P. Reynolds, once a publisher in New York State, and afterwards a leading and influential citizen of Middletown. Mr. Campbell's father was of Scotch extraction, and his mother of English. The family of Mr. Reynolds was originally settled in Devonshire, Jonathan Reynolds emi­grating from Plympton Earl, in that county, in 1645, and on his arrival in America, taking up his dwelling near Plympton, in the Plymouth colony, now a part of Massachusetts. Mr. Campbell is sixth in descent from Jonathan Reynolds. The family, after settling in Massachusetts, extended to Rhode Island and New York, and are now numerous in these two latter States, having many members who have filled important positions in the State and national councils.  By another branch of his maternal family, he is descended from John Parker, who commanded the American troops at the heroic struggle at Lexington, which began the Revolutionary War.  His paternal great-grandfather, Andrew Small, at the age of eighteen, went with Montgomery on the fatal expedition to Quebec, suffering untold miseries on his return through Canada.  Both of his grandfathers were soldiers in the War of 1812.
     James E. Campbell was educated in the free schools of his native town, and in later years received instruction from the Rev. John B. Morton, an early and successful teacher of that place, and for many years the pastor of the Presbyterian Church.  When approaching maturity he began the reading of law, and taught school for a short time.
     In the Summer of 1863, after the navy had become thoroughly organized in all its departments, and had won some of its most glorious victories, he became a master's mate on the gunboats Elk and Naiad, serving on the Mississippi and Red River flotillas, and taking part in several engagements. But the unhealthiness of the climate soon affected him, and after a year, being surveyed by a board of surgeons, he was discharged, returning home a mere skeleton. As soon as he had sufficiently recovered his health he resumed the study of law, and during the Winter of 1864 and 1865 he became a student in the office of Doty & Gunckel, Middletown, being admitted to the bar in 1865.
     In the Spring of 1867 he began the practice of his profession in this city. During the interval he was bookkeeper of the First National Bank at Middletown, and was also a deputy collector in the Internal Revenue service of the Third District for about eight months in Hamilton, under General Ferdinand Van Derveer, Collector. He was elected prosecuting attorney of the county in 1875. and 1877, holding that position for four years and filling the duties of his office most acceptably. From 1867 to 1869 he was United States commissioner. In 1879 he made a very close race for the Ohio State Senate, being defeated by only twelve votes. During the war he was a Republican, and remained so until the Greeley campaign, when, in common with thousands of others, he cast off the party yoke, and voted for Greeley and Brown. Since that time he has acted with the Democrats.
     In addition to his business as a lawyer, he has paid much attention to insurance, and has gradually gained a large and valuable business in this line, and has been charged with many important receiverships and other trusts. Mr. Campbell is a Knight Templar, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Grand Army of the Republic. He was married to Miss Libbie Owens, daughter of Job E. Owens and Mary A. Price, on the 4th of January, 1870. Her father was a native of Wales, and her mother of Welsh descent. They have three children. Mr. Campbell is a hard worker, and can accomplish more in one day in his business than the most of men. He attends the Presbyterian Church, and contributes liberally to the support of all benevolent and charitable enterprises.
     He is systematic in all his efforts, and his offices are models of neatness. Socially no man stands higher. He is courteous in manner, thorough in his acquisition of detail, and of the highest integrity of character. As a lawyer he has few superiors at his age, possessing great skill in ascertaining the true points of a case. He is a good, clear, logical speaker, and well informed on all questions of law. No young man in Hamilton has a better or more honorable record, and no one is deserving of greater credit than he.
     At the Democratic Convention held at Lebanon, August 16, 1882, he was nominated unanimously for the position of Congressman, and is now making a most gallant campaign in behalf of his party.
Source: Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Publishers - 1905 - Page 847   

LEWIS D. CAMPBELL was born in Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, Aug. 9, 1811.  He attended school in Franklin, in a log school house, with R. C. Schenck until he was fourteen years old, when he was transferred to the farm, on which he labored for three years.  From 1828 to 1831 he served as apprenticeship in the office of the Cincinnati Gazette.  In the latter year he came to Hamilton, Ohio, where he published a weekly newspaper, writing the editorials and other matter, setting it up, printing the issue of an old Washington Press, and acting most of the time as his own carrier.  In this paper he advocated the election of Henry Clay to the presidency.  While editing his journal he studied law and in 1835 was admitted to the bar.  He soon acquired a large and profitable practice.  In 1848 Mr. Campbell was elected a representative in congress over General Baldwin.  In 1850 he was elected to the same position over Judge Vance; in 1852, 1854 and 1856 over Hon. C. I. Vallandigham, and in 1870 over Hon. R. C. Schenck, his old schoolmate.  This was his most celebrated campaign, for he had not only the influence and money of the administration to contend with, but a large Republican majority and the influence and money of eastern monopolies that favored a high tariff.  During his first service in congress, from 1849 until 1858, slavery was the all-absorbing question.  He participated prominently in  the debates, contending that slavery should be excluded from the territories by congressional enactment.  In the thirty-third congress, when the great question of repealing the Missouri compromise came before the house of representatives, he was selected, in a conference of the opposition members, as their leader on the floor.  The debate between him and Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, on the relative advantage of free and slave labor, gave him rank with the ablest debaters of congress.
     At the opening of the thirty-third and thirty-fourth congresses Mr. Campbell received the votes of a large majority of his party for the speakership, and, no doubt, would have been elected had he continued to be a candidate, but in consequence of pledges exacted from him he withdrew his name.  After a struggle, prolonged for many weeks, Hon. N. P. Banks was elected.  During this congress Mr. Campbell served as chairman of the ways and means committee.  The arduous duties thus devolving upon him were discharged with great ability.  Among the measures reported by him which became laws was the tariff act of 1857, which levied the lowest average duties on imports of any act passed within the last three-fourths of a century.  It was during this congress that Preston H. Brooks made the assault on Charles Sumner in the old senate chamber.  Mr. Campbell was the first to reach the senate after he was stricken down.  On the following day he introduced the resolution for an investigation, was chairman of the committee appointed for that purpose, and made a report for the expulsion of Brooks.  The challenge which the latter subsequently sent Mr. Burlingame was one of the results of the assault on Mr. Burlingame Mr. Campbell took charge of the affairs as his friend.  General Joseph Lane, of Oregon, being the friend of Mr. Brooks.  The correspondence on the part of Mr. Burlingame was wholly written by Mr. Campbell, who retained all of the original papers.  It was through his skillful management that Mr. Burlingame was carried safely through without a stain upon his honor.  When the Southern rebellion commenced Mr. Campbell ardently espoused the cause of the Union.  In the spring and summer of 1861 he was assisted in raising several regiments.  In the autumn following he organized the Sixty-ninth Ohio Regiment, and was commissioned colonel.  In the winter of 1861-2 he was in command of Camp Chase, where he received and kept as prisoners of war the officers taken at Fort Donelson and in other battles.  In April following he went under orders with his regiment to Tennessee, where he served in the Army of the Cumberland until the failure of his health unfitted him for the service, when he reluctantly retired.
     In 1866 Mr. Campbell was appointed minister to Mexico - the successor of Hon. Thomas Corwin.  In November of that year, accompanied by General Sherman he proceeded on his mission.  The French army of occupation and other forces of Maximilian were then in Mexico holding the capital and other principal cities.  President Juarez and his cabinet officers had been draven to a point on the northwestern border.  Failing to reach the government of that republic in its then migratory condition, Mr. Campbell was directed by Mr. Seward, secretary of state, to make his official residence temporarily in New Orleans.  He remained there until June following, when, tired of that kind of service, he resigned.
    Taking his seat as a member of the forty-second congress in March, 1871, he was at once recognized as possessing commanding influence which is attained only by a long and honorable public service.  Acting with the minority, he was not placed in such a position as to take the leading part which had fallen to his lot in previous congressional service, yet his influence was very perceptible in  the promotion of salutory legislation.  In April, 1873, Mr. Campbell was elected a delegate to the convention to revise and amend the constitution of the state of Ohio.  After the convention assembled at Columbus he was elected, on May 22d, its vice-president by a unanimous vote.
     In politics, Mr. Campbell was a Whig until the dissolution of that party.  Subsequently he was a Republican, but after the rebellion closed he left that party and co-operated with the Democratic party.  He was in failing health for months before his death, which occurred Nov. 22, 1882.  He was survived by an aged wife, who has since died, and three daughters.  In his death Butler county sustained a great loss, and the state one of its greatest and most distinguished sons.
Source: Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Publishers - 1905 - Page 949

ALBERT W. CLARK.  Albert W. Clark, the popular jailer at the Butler county bastile, is native of Venice, Ohio, and great-grandson of Dr. Benjamin F. Clark, who laid out the village of Venus in 1816.  Dr. Clark was native of New York and came to this county in 1814.  He selected as home the present town site of Venice, and there established hamlet in the wilderness which, because of the natural beauty of the spot, he named “Venus."  He was man of rare professional skill and well educated.  He is de scribed as tall, sparely-built man, of much physical and mental force.  His mission to humanity on the western frontier was well performed, and during the twelve years of his life he was tireless worker among the sick and distressed.  Dr. Clark was man of broad views and liberal in his consideration of others rights.  He donated one acre of land to the town of “Venus” for burial purposes and was otherwise public spirited and active in the interest of the town and community.  He continued in active practice until his death, June 22, 1826, at the age of fifty-seven years.  His wife, Elizabeth Clark. died February 5, 1861, at the age of seventy-seven years, and both are interred in the cemetery which the Doctor founded. son of this early pioneer was also named Benjamin F. and he was the paternal grandfather of Albert W. Clark, of this sketch.  Grandfather Clark was twice married, his first wife, who was Rhoda Fuller, being the mother of the subject’s father, Benjamin Allen Clark.  There were four children in this family, Benjamin A. and Lavonia, now Mrs. Burch, being the only survivors.  The others were named Permilla and Melvina.  Benjamin Allen Clark was born at Venice, October 13, 1834, married Miss Elizabeth R. McFeeley, and both are living.  Their home has been for many years at the village of Shandon. formerly known as Paddy’s Run, near which place they own valuable farm.  They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living.  The eldest was David Ozro, who died in childhood, in 1860.  Frank followed farming until recently, when he removed to Hamilton and engaged in other pursuits, Mrs. Rhoda E. Henry lives on farm at St. Charles, in this county.  Albert W., of this sketch, was the next in order of birth. Mrs. Lillian Bauer resides on farm near Venice.  Ralph W. has exiled himself from home and friends since 1890, and his whereabouts is unknown to his family, an unhappy marriage being the cause of this estrangement.  Ernest is operating the home farm.  He married Miss Carrie Vogt, and they have one child.  Frances E. became the wife of William Robinson, retired farmer, now operating hotel at Shandon.  Emmazetta G. is the wife of Roger Evans, brother-of Mrs. Albert Clark.   Mr. Evans is mechanic at Shandon.  The subject of this article received good practical education in the public school at Shandon. and began his business career as farmer. He followed the plow during most of his life and owned and operated threshing outfit for seventeen seasons.  He has been hard-working, industrious man, seeing but little of the comforts of life except as he took pleasure and comfort in his endless work.  He was born on the 2d of August, 1862, and, though yet young man, he is broken down from the effects of lifetime of persistent toil, from early dawn until late at night.  Fortunately, change came in 1900, when he was selected from numerous applicants as the jailer at the Butler county prison.  He served in this capacity during the four-years term of Peter Bisdorf, as sheriff, and was re-appointed in I904 by Sheriff Luke Brannon.  Mr. Clark has official charge of the jail, and inmates and appurtenances, under direction of the sheriff.  In his official capacity Mr. Clark has witnessed some touching scenes and has had charge of some of the most hardened criminals.  Among these are murderers, thieves, burglars and others. guilty of minor crimes.  The notorious strangler, Alfred Knapp, now awaiting electrocution for wife-murder, was one of his most “distinguished” guests for many months.  The Butler county jail is massive stone structure, erected in 1848, with due consideration for the character of its occupants.  It is fitted with twenty-four steel cells, which, with the impenetrable stone walls and the watchful vigilance of the jailer, render escape impossible.  Mr. Clark was married on the 31st of January, 1884, when he chose for his companion in life’s journey Miss Alice Evans, who was born at Shandon, Butler county, and is representative of numerous and prominent old family in the county.  Her parents were Robert N. and Margaret (Davis) Evans, both descendants of Welsh ancestors.  John Evans, the paternal grand father, native of Wales, established home on Paddy’s Run in 1818.  He reached Cincinnati with the modest sum of twenty nine cents as the nucleus, to which he in later years added large fortune.  He was reputed to be very wealthy and made liberal provisions for all of his children.  But as he neared the end of life’s journey, trusted friend who handled large part of his for tune proved unfaithful and the doting old man was defrauded in the sum of several thousand dollars.  He died possessed of about hundred thousand dollars, mostly in real estate and stock.  The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Clark has been blessed with eleven children, nine of whom are now living.  The eldest of these was Wayne Ozra, promising youth who met tragic death at the dawn of bright young manhood.  On the 5th of July, 1904, while bathing in the reservoir near Hamilton, he was drowned.  This calamity was severe blow to the family and elicited the sympathy of the entire city, where the young man was well and favor ably known.  At the time of his death Wayne was trusted employe of the T. V. Howell Son Dry Goods Company, where he was held in high esteem by his employers and associates.  He was most exemplary young man, whose correct habits of life and conduct never gave his loving parents moment’s trouble.  The body was buried in the family lot at Venice, where four generations of the name are represented.  Wayne was but two months past his twentieth year.  The other children, with the exception of Albert A., who died in early infancy in August, 1900, are still under the parental roof.  They are Arline, Keith, Bryce, Ruth, Virginia. Rowland, Miriam, Rowena and Robert Chetwyn.  Albert was next to the youngest.  Mr. Clark is prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  He is past grand of Ross Lodge, No. 482, and member of Butler Encampment, No. 7.  He also holds membership in Butler Court, Tribe of Ben Hur.  In political affiliations Mr. Clark has been lifelong Democrat, and has always taken an active interest in the success of his party.  He never aspired to public office other than his present position. The family is well known and highly esteemed in the county with which both the Clark and Evans families have been identified for nearly century.
Source: Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. B. F. Bowen & Co., Publishers - 1905 - Page 409