Hiram Campbell was born on November 18, 1810 in Fleming County, Kentucky to a farming family. His father sold the family farm when Hiram was still quite young and moved the whole family to Maysville, Ohio. The family lived in Maysville for two years. Then they purchased another farm and moved to Georgetown, Ohio. In Georgetown, Hiram worked his father’s farm and went to school.
At the age of seventeen, Campbell left the farm. He moved to West Union, Ohio and became an apprentice to the printer’s trade. He worked for the West Union Register for eighteen months. His employer died and Hiram returned to Maysville.
In Maysville, he began working for the Eagle. He was an employee for three years. He was offered a supervisory position, but he turned it down.
His next job came when he moved to Hillsboro, Ohio. In Hillsboro, he became a partner in the Gazette. During his four years at the Gazette, he expanded the subscriptions from 400 to 900.
Hillsboro was a place of personal change for Hiram. In Hillsboro, he met and married Rachel T. Star. The wedding took place at the Trimble Iron Works (a.k.a. Argillite Furnace) in Kentucky. After his marriage, Campbell moved to Argillite, Kentucky to work for Rachel’s uncle. He was a clerk at the furnace for four years.
His wife, Rachel, died in approximately in 1839.
Campbell moved his home to Lawrence County, Ohio. He became a clerk at the Mt. Vernon Furnace and remained in this position for twelve years.
In April 25, 1844, he remarried. His new wife was named Sarah E. Woodrow. Born on April 2, 1815 at Hillsboro, Ohio, Sarah was the daughter of Joseph Woodrow and the niece of Governor Allen Trimble of Ohio. Hiram and Sarah had five children, Maria, John W., Joseph, Harry, and Minnie.
The family relocated to 5th and Buckhorn in Ironton, Ohio in 1850. In fact, he was considered one of the founders of Ironton. In the new town, Hiram found new interests and new ways to enrich his family. He became the supervisor of Ironton Foundry, a position he kept for sixteen years. Hiram was one of the first trustees of Woodland Cemetery. He became the director of the Old Iron Bank, Ohio Iron and Coal Company, and Iron Railroad Company.
After seventeen years, he took over the ownership of the Mt. Vernon Furnace. During his ownership, the furnace was a great success. The success at Mt. Vernon caused Campbell to build another furnace. Named Sarah Furnace, the second furnace was not successful. He sold the Sarah Furnace. The Mt. Vernon Furnace was still in his family’s hands until his death.
In 1873, Campbell retired from his directorships. His sons took control of the furnace and he planned to enjoy the rest of his life. In retirement, Campbell was known to walk around the streets of Ironton. He loved to talk to people on the streets. According to his obituary, “He seemed to love knowledge for the good of it.” He often stopped at the Ironton Register and reminisce of his time there as a printer. Campbell even purchased a large round stained glass window for the Presbyterian Church in memory of Charles Campbell, a relative.
In 1890, Hiram and Sarah lost their daughter, Minnie Campbell Cauldewell. Her death was very difficult for Sarah. Most believe Sarah’s health began its decline when she lost Minnie. In less than a year, on January 1, 1892, Sarah E. Woodrow Campbell died at the age of 79. She was buried in Woodland Cemetery in Section 7.
At the age of 85, Hiram Campbell died. His remains were interred in Section 7 of Woodland Cemetery on August 2, 1896. Four of his children survived him.