JOHN CAMPBELL

Sacramento County

Biographies

JOHN CAMPBELL

JOHN CAMPBELL--A native son of Ireland, who by his industry and perseverance won for himself a prominent place in the community, is John Campbell, the oldest son of John Campbell. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, on September 18, 1850. With his uncle, John Moreland, he set sail for the United States. In July, 1869, they arrived in San Francisco and went directly to his uncle's ranch in Colusa County. For some time he was employed by John Moreland, working on the farm, and for eighteen years he was in the service of Fred Hedrick, who later became his brother-in-law. Mr. Campbell was very thrifty, inasmuch as he desired to have all his folks about him once more. He soon saved enough money, which he sent to his parents, brothers and sisters, so that they could come to California. In 1886, his brother James passed away, leaving his vast estate in the care of John Campbell, who showed his keen business ability and knowledge by settling all of his brother's affairs.

John Campbell received his education in the school of experience. Morally, he is a fine example for the young men of the present generation. In the year 1875, he became an American citizen, and on May 29, 1885, at Colusa, he was united in marriage to Miss Helen Thomas. Mr. Campbell has resided in Sacramento since 1904. During this period he has served on the grand and trial juries. He is a well-known figure in the school district, and is regarded as a loyal champion of the rights of the children of his community, and he has served as trustee on the school board. This worthy couple have been blessed with one daughter, Mary Ellen, who received her diploma from the Sacramento High School in 1916. She married Rolla S. Rice, the son of a pioneer family, whose father, Frank S. Rice, conducted a life insurance business in Sacramento, and was the brother of Judge William Horace Rice. Rolla S. Rice was reared in Modesto, receiving his early education in Modesto, and was credited with his diploma in 1912 by the Modesto High School. For two terms he was a student of the San Luis Obispo Polytechnic School. During his school training, he assisted his father as a clerk in his Modesto store. On June 27, 1917, he enlisted at Stockton in the United States Navy. From there he was sent to San Pedro, and later to Colome Bay, N.Y. He made three trans-Atlantic voyages on the U. S. S. freighter "Cape Henry" and received his honorable discharge on March 19, 1919, at New York. He made his way westward to Sacramento and started out selling insurance with the West Coast Life Insurance Company. Mr. and Mrs. Rolla S. Rice have one son, Frank, who was born on December 15, 1921. On October 29, 1920, Frank S. Rice passed away in Modesto, greatly mourned by Mrs. Fannie M. (Tregea) Rice, his widow, and her three children. Rolla S. Rice’s brother, Arba, a graduate of the University of California, 1922, served for three years with the Marines in the A. E. F. After he had been wounded three times and had made an enviable record, he was honorably discharged in 1920. In 1923, Arba Rice was married, and with his bride made a trip to Japan. Rolla's sister, Arline, also a graduate of the University of California, 1920, is now a teacher in the public schools of Petaluma. Rolla S. Rice and his wife reside at the home of her parents, at Sacramento, and he has an interest in the small ranch on Parker Avenue. He is a stanch Republican.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 699. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.