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| JOHN R. CAMPBELL, boot and shoe merchant at Big Rapids, was born in DeWitt Co., Ill., May 1, 1856. His parents, Barzillai and Rosanna (Sackett) Campbell, went to La Cygne, Kan., in 1865, where they engaged in farming, and became prominent in the social and political circles of that section, Mr. Campbell, Sr., being elected in 1877 to represent his district in the State Legislature. The first business venture of Mr. Campbell was that of jobbing in canned goods at wholeslae at Kansas City, Mo., after three months he went to New Brunswick, N.J., and officiated one year as bookkeeper for the Home Valley Preserving Company. He then went to Indiana, where he engaged in the insurance business. In May, 1882, he came to Big Rapids and formed a partnership with P. Wait, in the sale of boots and shoes, which connection was disolved Aug. 1, 1883, Mr. Campbell buying his partner's interest. His stock is valued at $4,500, and his business transactions amount to $1,200 monthly. Mr. Campbell was married at South New Brunswick, N. J., Oct. 24, 1882, to Julia Van Deventer, who was born in New Jersey, Oct. 23, 1862. |