JOHN CAMPBELL, deceased, was for nearly a quarter of a century numbered among the enterprising farmers of Taylor Creek Township, as in 1871 he became the owner of one hundred and sixty-eight acres here.  The tract was covered with heavy timber, and no improvements had been made on the place.  It now bears little resemblance to its former condition, as seventy-five acres have been cleared and many substantial buildings, fences, etc., have greatly increased its value.
     Mr. Campbell was born in 1826, in Ireland, being one of nine children (three still living) born to John and Jane (Young) Campbell.  The family crossed the Atlantic in a sailing -vessel in 1828, and on arriving in the Empire State went to live in Rochester, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives.  The father, a cooper by trade, was a very successful and hard-working man, providing well for his family, and was respected by all who knew him.  He and his wife were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and contributed liberally of their means to the support of worthy charities.  Our subject learned the cooper's trade with his father, and received the advantages of a very good general education.  In 1840 his father bought four hundred acres of land in Logan County, and the same year John Campbell, Jr., went out to look after this property.
     The union of Mr. Campbell and Mary A. Logan was celebrated in York, Livingston County, N. Y., May 27, 1852, and soon after that event the young couple took up their residence in Huntsville, Logan County.  There they continued to dwell for the next twelve years, during which time Mr. Campbell worked industriously at his trade, being in partnership with one of his brothers.  Mrs. Campbell was born Sept. 29, 1932, in Ireland, and was a daughter of James and Mary (McNeil) Logan.  They came to the New World in 1847, and for a few years  Mr. Logan, rented a farm near York, N. Y., and subsequently bought a good place, which he cultivated until his death.  His eldest son, Thomas, married Catherine Logan and is a resident of Logan County, Ohio; James, the next younger, formerly a resident of the Empire State, married Eliza J. Gray and both are now deceased; Margaret, the wife of Frank Shannon, resides in Peoria, N. Y.; Agnes, Mrs. John Montgomery, lives in Rochester, N. Y.; William, who married Isabella McCracken, died in York, N. Y.; and Rachel, the youngest of the family, lives in Rochester, N. Y.
     Eleven children graced the union of John Campbell and his wife.  James Thomas, born on the 16th of July, 1853, has always lived at home; John A., born Apr. 8, 1856, married Mamie Wanamaker, of Ada, who was born in April, 1869; William A., born Apr. 13, 1858, married Maggie King, and lives in Kenton; Mary J., born Mar. 1, 1860, died in Sept. 1882; Emerson S., born apr. 29, 1862, died in 1872; Edwin, born Nov. 28, 1864, married Carrie V. Baldwin, and lives at Benton  Ridge, Ohio; Franklin, born Sept. 20, 1866, died at the age of sixteen years; Rebecca and Ida, twins, born July 13, 1868, are both deceased; Corina A., born Jan. 19, 1871, died in infancy; and Charles H., whose birth occurred Feb. 5, 1875, died when in his fourth year.
     In August, 1862, Mr. Campbell enlisted at Huntsville in Company I, Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry, and was made a Corporal.  He was sent first to Cincinnati, thence to Covington and through Kentucky, taking part in several battles and skirmishes.  Near Jackson, Miss., he received a sunstroke and was in the hospital for some time.  Afterward he had pneumonia, from the effects of which he came very near dying.  Near New Orleans he was shot through both thighs, and was taken to the hospital in the Crescent City and in April, 1864, was discharged for disability and returned home.  For nearly a year he was unable to engage in any active work, his health being in a very shattered condition.  He later tried to work at his trade, but being obliged to give it up, moved to a farm near Kenton, where he made his home for six years, and in 1871 settled in this township.  In politics he was always identified with the Republican party.
Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 490

REV. Z. B. CAMPBELL, has been pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Ada, Ohio, for the past sixteen years, during which time the membership of the congregation has advanced from about fifty to three hundred and sixty.  Untold good is being done here by priest and people, who work in perfect harmony and united effort to promote the Master's cause.
     The beautiful church edifice, which was erected at a cost of not far from $20,000, is one of the finest of the kind in the finest of the kind in the state for a town of this size.  The credit of it is due largely to Mr. Campbell, who is an unusually god financier, and who carried the work through from beginning to end, in spite of all the opposition on the part of those who were afraid that the church could not afford to build a new house of worship.  Going to Hon. Calvin S. Brice, of Lima, a personal friend of his, Mr. Campbell stated that they wanted to have a new church at Ada, and asked him to give $500 toward it, which he did.  Next, going to Columbus, Mr. Campbell persuaded nearly every member of the Legislature and Governor Campbell and Major McKinley to give liberally to this worthy cause.  Thus the new temple of God was put up without calling too heavily upon the resources of Ada's citizens.
     James Campbell, grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and his wife was a Miss Gillespie, a relative of James G. Blaine.  Z. B. Campbell, Sr., was a native of Stark County, Ohio, born in 1819.  For years he followed the tanner's trade, but is now living a retired life at Shreve, Ohio.  He married Lydia A. Wyly, of Pennsylvania birth.  Her fater, Jacob Wyly, a man of some note in his day, wedded a fair Quakeress.  George L., a brother of Mrs. Lydia Campbell, is a prominent attorney at Waynesburg, Pa., and another brother, Rev. Jacob, is a retired Baptist minister, now of Granville, Ohio, and a veteran of the late Civil War.
     Rev. Mr. Campbell is one of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity.  Maria M. lives with her father; G. P. is a leading physician of Fulton County, Ohio; Jennie is the wife of J. R. Wachtel, a dry-goods merchant at Shreve, Ohio; and L. W., a practicing physician of Ada, is a graduate of Rush Medical College, and was formerly a member of the Pension Board.  Dr. G. P. is a strong Democrat, and went to St. Louis as a delegate to the convention held there in 1888.  He was appointed Trustee of the Toledo Insane Asylum by Governor Campbell and was twice re-appointed by Governor McKinley.
     The birth of Z. B. Campbell took place in Waynesburg, Pa., Nov. 25, 1849.  When he was about three years old he came to Ohio with his parents, who first settled at Congress, Wayne County, and later went to Shreve, where the father ran a tannery.  Our subject received his primary education in the public schools.  After pursuing his studies for a time at Vermillion Institute, in Hayesville, Ohio, he taught a country school, and later a select school at Shreve.  Subsequently he was chosen Superintendent of schools at Belleville, and for a  period of four years was County Examiner of Wayne County.  In 1870 he entered Wooster College, graduating therefrom in 1875.  In 1879 he was duly graduated from Princeton (N. J.) Theological Seminary, upon completing the prescribed course of three years.
     The first ministerial work of Mr. Campbell was in the church with which he has ever since been identified.  It was in February, 1880, that he assumed the charge, with its half a hundred members, who at that time worshiped in the small frame church.  Among his present membership there are thirteen young men who are fitting themselves for the ministry.  He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Wooster University, holds a similar position with the Normal Industrial department of Wilberforce University (having been appointed thereto by Governor McKinley), is Chairman of the Board of Home Missions of the Lima Presbytery, and is also a member of the State Board of Missions.  In 1892 the Ohio University of Athens conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.  His discourses are clear and show deep thought, while his impressiveness and earnestness of purpose breathe through his every utterance.
     Few ministers can take the practical and evident interest in politics that Mr. Campbell does and not suffer in the esteem of his fellows.  However, it is certainly the duty of each citizen to strive in every possible way to advance his country's welfare, and there is o more effective place to do this than the ballot.  Mr. Campbell is a very influential man in all the circles of high repute, and if his friends desire to receive any public benefit from state, general government or railroad corporation, they appeal to him to do what he an in a matter, and rarely does he fail to accomplish his mission.  He is a stockholder and Director of the Metropolitan Bank of Lima, Ohio.  In 1893 he was present at the Scotch-Irish Convention held at Springfield.
     June 23, 1881, the marriage of Mr. Campbell and Anna Barrington, of St. Mary's, Ohio, was celebrated.  The lady's father, Thomas Barrington, of the noted family of that name in Ireland came to America in 1847, and has been for more than thirty years connected with the public works in St. Mary's.  He was a member of the Board of Education for twenty years, and has been a Deacon in the Baptist Church for forty years.  His wife was of English descent, and two of her uncles were Episcopal ministers.  She is one of seven children.  Thomas and Richard are business men of St. Mary's; John is a railroad man; Mary E. is the wife of Justin Brewer, President of the Ada Bank; Edward is in business in Greenville, Miss.; and Kate is now with her brother in the latter state.
     Mrs. Campbell, who is a graduate of St. Mary's High School, was also a student in the Ohio Normal, and for several years taught school successfully, as did both her sisters.  For several years she was Principal of St. Mary's High School.  She is a great worker in the church and is an especial favorite with the young people.  The pleasant parsonage is brightened by the presence of two children, Lillie Bess and Mark Barrington.
Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 493

Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 391

Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 324

Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 243

ZACCHEUS CESSNA, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Cessna Township, Hardin County, where he and his father settled about sixty years ago.  After a well spent and very active life, he was called to the home beyond, Oct. 2, 1893, adn was buried in the Salem Cemetery, in this township.  His memory is cherished in the hearts of scores of his old friends and neighbors, who remember him as a man of exemplary life and the utmost probity of conduct.
     The Cessna family is of Scotch-Irish descent.  The father of our subject, William, was born in Pennsylvania, Jan. 10, 1777, and died Jun. 13, 1867.  His wife, was born the maiden name of Keziah Davis, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on the 13th of April, 1793, and died Oct. 19, 1862. They were the parents of nine children, namely: James, Mary, John, William, George, Joseph, Zaccheus, Elizabeth and Keziah, of whom John is the only one known to be living.
     After a sojourn of a few years in Holmes County, Ohio, Mr. Cessna started by team for Hardin County, in the fall of 1835, and established his home in Cessna Township, which was named in honor of Charles Cessna, a distant relative.  He took up two hundred and forty acres from the Government, for which he paid the usual price of $1.25 per acre.  In the midst of the thick forest he built a hewed-log house of one room, 20x24 feet in dimensions, and this structure is still standing, not far from the present homestead.  The parents were cared for by our subject until they passed away.
     Zaccheus Cessna was born in Holmes County, Ohio, April 1, 1835, and was nine months old when the family came to Hardin County.  He grew to manhood on the farm owned by his father, and at the age of eighteen years assumed charge of the place, which he purchased some seven years later, industriously cultivating and developing the same until his death.
     October 17, 1860, Mr. Cessna married Mary M. Hagerman, who was born in Dekalb Richland County, Ohio, Apr. 6, 1842.  Mrs. Cessna is a daughter of Rev. Samuel and Elizabeth (Hiles) Hagerman  Her father, who was a native of Carroll County, Ohio, went with his parents when quite young to Richland County, becoming one of hits pioneers.  About 1846 he settled in Marion Township, Hardin County, and engaged in farming, besides officiating as local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He passed to his reward Aug. 30, 1884.  His wife, who is a native of England, came to this country when twelve years old, and is now making her home in Dunkirk, this county.  Mr. and Mrs. Hagerman had thirteen children, nine of whom are still living.
     The marriage of our subject and his wife was blessed with thirteen children, nine of whom are living, as follows:  Keziah, wife of Thomas Burnison, a mechanic of Kenton; Ida, Mrs. Adam Smith, of Cessna Township; William; Mary, Mrs. Elmer Kaylor; Lulu, Clarence, George, Martha and Alphonso.  Wesley is deceased, and three infants died unnamed.  Religiously Mr. Cessna  was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belongs.
     Until the breaking out of the Rebellion, our subject was a Democrat, but at that time he became a supporter of the Republican party and a stanch advocate of the Union.  In 1863 he enlisted in the National Guards and was mustered into the regular service at Kenton, May 2, 1864.  He was first sent to Columbus, from there to Virginia, and participated in the engagement at Harper's Ferry and in many others of minor note.  Sept. 5 1864, he was honorably discharged from the army.  For years he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.  He received a pension of $12 per month, and since his death his widow has received $8 per month.
†Source #4 - Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 333

GEORGE CESSNA was actively identified with the welfare of Cessna Township, Hardin County, from his early years until death put an end to his labors, Apr. 29, 1890.  From 1876 he lived on a good farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres situated on section 14, Cessna Township.
     The birth of our subject occurred in Holmes County, Ohio, Mar. 30, 1828, his parents being William and Keziah (Davis) Cessna.  He received a good common-school education and practical equipment for the duties of life, and soon gave equipment for the duties of life, and soon gave evidence of the superior business ability with which nature had endowed him.  When he was about twenty-two years of age he went to Iowa, where he worked on a farm for a couple of years.  Coming back to Hardin County, he remained here for a time, and then went overland to California, where he engaged in mining and prospecting.  On his return, about 1860, he invested his savings in a tract for eighty acres, lying on section 2, and cultivated the same until 1876, when he purchased the home place, where his widow now resides.
     Dec. 28, 1852, George Cessna married Jemima Beem, by whom he had two children: Keel, who is now living in Union County, Ohio; and James W., who lives in Kingman, Kan.  Jan. 4, 1863, Mr. Cessna wedded Katherine Kibler, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born Apr. 20, 1837, and a daughter of John and Mary Kibler.  Three children came to grace the marriage of our subject and his second wife: John G., a farmer of this township; Joseph H., also a farmer near the old homestead; and Roy M., who lives with his mother on the old farm.
     A man who was mainly self-made, both as regards education and wealth, Mr. Cessna was always in favor of progressive ideas along all lines of human activity, and was not sparing of his means when his fellows might be benefited thereby.  Politically he was a Republican.  He held the offices of School Director and Supervisor.  In the Methodist Church, to which he belonged, he was a Class-Leader and Steward at various times.  When he was gathered to his fathers at the close of a useful and happy life, he was tenderly placed to await the last trumpet-call in Salem Cemetery.
†Source:  Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 282

J. L. COLLINS, a successful farmer of Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County, is an example of what can be accomplished by a young man without capital, and with only himself on whom to rely.  He started in the battle of life empty-handed, and forged his way to a position of prominence and independent fortune through hard and unremitting toil.
     A son of James and Elizabeth (Huninger) Collins, our subject is one of twelve children, all but three of whom are yet living.  The parents were natives of Virginia, but later came to this township.  James Collins purchased eighty acres of timber-land, paying therefore $1.50 per acre.  He then erected a log cabin, and in the years that followed cleared about half of his land.  Deer, wild turkeys and other game were plentiful in those days, and afforded a grateful change of diet.  The farmers of this region were obliged to go to Sandusky when they wanted to have any grain ground.  Mr. Collins was a Republican, and in religious views a Methodist.
     J. L. Collins, of this sketch, was born Mar. 21, 1846, in this township, and quietly passed his happy childhood days, absorbed in work and play.  He continued to dwell with his parents until reaching his twenty-eighth year, when he was married.  He was early acquainted with hard and honest toil, and many an hour has he chopped rails and cordwood.  At length he had saved enough money to buy forty acres of land, all thickly covered with timber.  Those stood on the place a log cabin, in which our subject lived for a few years.  Nearly one hundred acres of the homestead he has cleared himself.
     The brothers and sisters of our subject are: Margery, living on the old farm; Amanda, deceased; Daniel, a farmer of this township, and whose wife was formerly Eliza Lowry; Samuel; Mary,  wife of Andrew Gibson, of this township; Thomas T., who married Maggie Oglesby and runs a farm in Hale Township; Sarah, Mrs. John Reefer, a resident of this township; William and Eliza, who live on the old farm; and two who died in infancy.
     March 26, 1875, Mr. Collins and Alice Chamberlin were united in marriage in Buck Township.  Mrs. Collins was born Sept. 9, 1855, being a daughter of Cornelius and Catherine (Queen) Chamberlin.  Their other children were:  Jane, deceased; William, who married Alice Pfeifer, and lives in Kenton; Charles; Douglas; Martin, who married Emma Cooper; John, who wedded Lena Phillips, and is a resident of this township; and Henry.
     Of the children born to our subject and his wife we make the following mention: Myrtle, the wife of Louis Fisher, a farmer of Logan County, was born Sept. 24, 1874; Clara Belle was born Sept. 14, 1876; Katie, born Mar. 20, 1882, died Feb. 7, 1889; James G. was born Oct. 12, 1884; Alonzo, born Aug. 1, 1888, died Jan. 29, 1890; and Roy  was born May 18, 1890
     Mr. Collins a great interest in the success of the Republican party, and never fails to be present at his post of duty as a good citizen when the time of election comes round.  Religiously he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion and Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 540