Biography:

Dr. Joseph Campbell was born in Perth County, Ontario on the 24th of February, 1839.  Dr. Campbell was the 2nd of 5 children born to John Campbell and the former Jean Scott.  According to the 1851 census, Dr. Campbell and his siblings were living with his mother’s brother, William Scott and his wife Jane.  It is believed that his parents had died.  His siblings were; George, Jane, Peter and John.

Dr. Campbell married Emily Lothian.  Mrs. Campbell was born on the 10th of February, 1849 near Bristol, Pontiac County, Quebec.  She was the 5th of 11 children born to William Lothian and the former Margaret Walker.  Her parents were farmers and her siblings were; George, Harper, Ellen, Matilda Ann, John, Jane, William, Thomas, Mary and Clementine.

Dr. Campbell did not attend medical school until after he was married and had at least one daughter.  He graduated from Queen’s University in 1876.  According to the 1881 census, Dr. and Mrs. Campbell and their children, Bertha, Marcella, Maud and William were living in Chippewa, Welland County, Ontario.

Dr. Campbell moved his medical practice and his family to Florence (Lambton County) in 1883.  While living in Florence, Dr. Campbell’s name appears on birth and death records in Chatham-Kent, primarily in Zone Twp, but extending to Thamesville.  Due to the close proximity to Chatham-Kent, Dr. Campbell answered the call for his services where needed.

Tragedy struck the Campbell family in November of 1887, when they lost 5 of their 6 children to diphtheria.  Bertha died on the 22nd of November, 1887 at the age of 13 years, 3 months.  Blanche died on the 24th of November, 1887 at the age of 6 years and 7 months.  Percival died on the 25th of November, 1887 at the age of 2 years, 8 months.  Marcella died on the 28th of November, 1887 at the age of 11 years and 5 months and William died on the 28th of November, 1887 at the age of 8 years and 4 months. Only their daughter Maud was spared.  She was 10 years old when all of her siblings died.  Dr. Campbell owned part of plot 49 at the Butler Cemetery, 30452 Brick Road in Chatham-Kent.  Cemetery officials cannot confirm whether the children of Dr. Campbell were buried here, but it seems likely.  The cemetery is less than 4 kms from Florence.

Dr. and Mrs. Campbell and their daughter Maud, moved to Oil Springs around 1890.

Mrs. Campbell died in Oil Springs on the 15th of March, 1914.  Dr. Campbell died in Oil Springs on the 14th of December, 1919.

*Dr. and Mrs. Campbell’s surviving daughter Maud Margaret Campbell never married.  She died on the 19th of October, 1947 at Toronto General Hospital and she was buried at Prospect Cemetery in Toronto.