CAMPBELL, EDWIN. - The farmers of Cass County are, as a class, men of intelligence, whose interests are not confined entirely to their agricultural duties, and many have become usefully active in promoting local and county affairs. One of the solid and substantial men, whose name is a well known one in this locality, is Edwin Campbell, of Virginia. He was born two miles west of Virginia, March 9, 1863, a son of William and Dorothy (Sudbeink) Campbell, natives of Ireland and of Cass County, Ill., respectively. When William Campbell was about eighteen years old, he came from Ireland to Illinois, and located in Cass County, where he found employment as a farmer. When he married he began farming for himself on rented land, but his good management and industry soon enabled him to purchase forty acres, the property upon which his son, Edwin, was born. This was a prairie farm, but he soon developed it, and kept on adding to his acreage until he owned 1,200 acres. An excellent business man, he would have died one of the wealthiest in his county, had not his sympathies led him to endorse notes for others. His death occurred in 1896, his wife having passed away in 1872. their children were: Henry, who is deceased; Alfred, who resides in Cass County; Emma, who died in September, 1913, was the wife of W. B. Dunaway of Denver, Colo., and Edwin. For some years William Campbell served Cass County as a commissioner.

Growing up upon his father's farm, Edwin Campbell attended the schools of his district, and resided at home until his marriage. This occurred on March 10, 1888, when he was united with Mary E. Cosner, a native of Cass County, Ill., a daughter of J. T. and Emily Cosner. Three children have been born of this marriage: Lee Eda and Carlos, both of whom are at home, and one who died in infancy.

After his marriage, Mr. Campbell continued to assist his father, until the latter's death, and operated 800 acres of land, being one of the largest stock raisers in the county, handling horses, cattle and hogs. His first farm contained 104� acres, to which he added until he owned 770 acres, all in Cass County, and now owns 610 acres. In 1913 he bought a handsome modern residence at Virginia, and is now living there. For some time Mr. Campbell has been a member of Virginia Lodge NO. 544, A.F. & A.M. In politics he is a Democrat. A man of unusual business ability, capable in many directions, he has turned his attention to work for which he felt best fitted, and his success has been more than ordinary.