HIRAM CAMPBELL IS DEAD. HE WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE CITY OF IRONTON
AND ONE OF THE PIONEER IRON MASTERS OF THIS REGION. HIS LONG AND USEFUL LIFE ENDS PEACEFULLY THIS MORNING.
Ironton Weekly Register – August 8, 1896
Mr. Hiram Campbell, one of the pioneer iron masters of this region, and one of the founders of Ironton, died at this home on north Fifth street at 3:45 a.m. Friday. Mr. Campbell had been ill since Sunday last but seemed to be getting better, and though confined to his bed, it was fully hoped, up to 5 p.m. Thursday, he would be up again. At the hour named, however, he took a relapse and gradually sank until death came. His death was peaceful, and his spirit passed away with scarcely a perceptible struggle.
Mr. Campbell was on the streets Saturday and was apparently in his usual health. On Sunday, he became ill, affected by the bowels’ trouble, and was confined to his bed. He was tenderly cared for, however, and appeared to be getting better, and even, on Thursday, he was able to sit up in bed and was in good spirits until the change came.
His children, who are in the city, and other relatives, were with him till a late hour last night, and when it was believed he would survive through today at least, they departed. His son-in-law, Col. J. H. Moulton, and his nurse, Mr. Wm. Winston, remained to minister to him and were at his bedside when he died. He was conscious almost to the last moment.
Hiram Campbell was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, in November 1810, when quite a lad came with his father’s family to Brown county, Ohio. When about twenty years of age, he went to Hillsboro, Ohio, where he published the Hillsboro Gazette for a few years. While there, he married Rachel T. Starr, a niece of David Trimble of the Trimble Iron Works in Greenup county, Ky.
He later became connected with these works as a bookkeeper at Argillilte Furnace, where he served for five years. In the meantime, Mrs. Campbell died. In 1836 he became a clerk and part partner in the Mount Vernon furnace in this county. This furnace was built in 1834 and was one of the earliest in the Hanging Rock region. Mr. Campbell eventually became its sole proprietor.
He was one of the organizers of the Ohio Iron and Coal Co., by whom the city of Ironton was founded, and also of the Iron Railroad, which was built to connect the rich mineral fields with the Ohio river. He was one of the Big Sandy Packet Co. organizers, whose boats still ply between Cincinnati and Pomeroy.
He was also engaged, for a time, in the foundry business with Mr. Cyrus Ellison and others and was connected with several other enterprises. In the fall of 1842, Mr. Campbell was elected on the whig ticket to represent Lawrence county in the Ohio legislature and served in the sessions of 1842-1843.
In April 1836, he married Sarah H., daughter of Joseph I. Woodrow of Hillsboro, Ohio. The results of this union were five children. These are John W., Joseph H. and Harry H. Campbell, Mrs. J. H. Moulton, who survived him, and Mrs. B. M. Caldwell, who died several years ago.
In 1877 Mr. Campbell and his sons and two sons-in-law, constituting the firm of H. Campbell & Sons, erected Sarah’s furnace in this city, which they operated most carefully for some eight years when they sold it. After this, Mr. Campbell did not engage in any business enterprises but retired from all business cares to spend the rest of his days in the quiet enjoyment of the fruits of his long and successful business career.
Mrs. Campbell died in January 1892, thus preceding her aged husband but a few years. Mr. Campbell was a man of gentle nature, who all his life enjoyed the friendship and confidence of all who knew him. He was charitable in the broadest and fullest sense of the word.
Hundreds of needy have benefited and had their burdens lightened by his kindly aid, so quietly and unostentatiously bestowed that few but the recipients knew of it. Besides being a friend and helper of the needy, Mr. Campbell and his honored wife, too, during all their lives, were almost prodigal givers to every worthy cause.
Mr. Campbell took a keen interest in all that pertained to Ironton and her welfare. Politically he was a staunch republican though after his retirement from business took no active interest in political matters. During the later years of his life, his chief delight was in his flowers, of which he was an extensive cultivator. He was exceedingly fond of them, and his elegant home was always fragrant with them.
He believed their care was conducive to his health, which added a further zest to his enjoyment of them. Though his life was well rounded out, and he had lived far beyond man’s allotted three score years, and ten, the community, his associates, and friends were not ready to give him up. He had not outlived his usefulness or his powers for good. His death will be sincerely mourned, and his loss will be felt, not alone by his relatives and immediate friends, but by the entire community.
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