Iowa Biographies Project Bryce Campbell, one of the highly esteemed pioneers of Burlington, Iowa, was born in Dunduff, Ayrshire, Scotland, March 31, 1819, and is a son of John Campbell, who was born in Ayrshire in 1794. His mother, Jean (Girvan) Campbell, was born in 1796. Their union was celebrated July 27, 1814, and six children were born to them: Isabelle, born April 22, 1815, died Nov. 18, 1816; John, born Oct. 18, 1816, became the husband of Margaret Gray, by whom he had eight children, all of whom are deceased; Bryce, of this sketch; Margaret G., born in Drumcoree, Ireland, July 8, 1822, and died in Burlington, Sept. 23, 1886; Mary, born in County Down, Dec. 17, 1823, became the wife of James Allen, and died at Burns Cottage, Alloway, Scotland, June 24, 1665 (sic); William, born April 9, 1825, and resides in Burlington. About the year 1822, John Campbell removed to Ireland, five years later again became a resident of Scotland, and in 1839 removed to Yorkshire, England, where died Oct. 18, 1843. Soon after his death, Mrs. Campbell returned to Scotland, where she died in 1871. They were lifelong Presbyterians, upright, honorable people, and highly respected. Bryce Campbell, our subject, was educated in his native country, and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner, serving four years. For the first three and a half years of his apprenticeship he received only his board, and for the last six months received, in addition, six shillings per week. On the 19th of October, 1848, at the Parish Church, in the Parish of Leeds, County of York, Mr. Campbell wedded Miss Jane Rowling, who was born March 9, 1821, in that parish. By this union there were three children: Joseph R., of Washington, Iowa; Jane, wife of John Gillis, of Burlington; and Maggie, who died in infancy. The death of Mrs. Campbell occurred Nov. 26, 1857. She was reared a Methodist, but afterward, with her husband, joined the Mormons. In 1853 Mr. Campbell left England, landed at New Orleans, and by steamer came to Keokuk, where he joined a party of Mormons, and went to Salt Lake City. As there were not enough teams for all on this journey, none but the women and children were allowed to ride, the men having to make their way on foot, wading the streams, and many times having to carry their wives across on their backs, the water being waist deep. After arriving in Salt Lake City, Mr. Campbell built a house, but when the leaders wanted him to deed it to the Church and also marry several wives, he, considering this an imposition, sold his property at a great sacrifice, and in 1857 came to Burlington, where he has since followed his trade. Mr. Campbell's second union was formed with Mrs. Gent, widow of Henry Gent, who by her first union had two children-- Edgar, of Wisconsin, and Byron, of Burlington. By this second union there is one child, Marian, wife of Willis A. Pruden, of this city. In politics Mr. Campbell is a Republican. Socially, he is an Odd Fellow, becoming a member of the Loyal Farmers' M. U. Lodge, No. 842, I. O. O. F. of England, in 1840, now belonging to Washington Lodge, No. 1; and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Friendship Lodge, No. 11, of which he is one of the charter members, and in which he has been Past Chancellor, also holding several subordinate offices. In 1878 Mr. Campbell was appointed District Deputy Grand Chancellor, and served six or seven years.