Untitled Document

DAVID W. CAMBLIN

The pioneers of Illinois were brave, intrepid men, who, fearing nothing, made their way into almost unknown wilds, and conquered not only the savage Indians and wild animals, but reduced the land to cultivation, and developed towns and cities. A vast debt is due them, and their names are kept in honored remembrance not only in the hearts of their descendants, but also in just such records as the present one.

One of the men who comes of one of these good old pioneer families, is David W. Camblin of Rock Island , a retired carpenter. He was born in Ria township, Knox county. Ill. , July 18, 1849 , being a son of Thomas and Lydia (Jones) Camblin, the former born in Monongahela county, W. Va. , May 19. 1818, and the latter born in the same place in 1819. The father was a cooper early in life, but later became a farmer. He first settled in Knox county, upon coming to Illinois , but later moved to Mercer county, where lie became one of the influential men. He was progressive in his ideas, and introduced many new methods in his farming. Among other things, he was the first to plant a hedge fence, or buy a corn planter in the entire county. For twenty-one years he administered the law as a justice of the peace, and was assessor for three years. In 1S95, he went west, settling at Elm Creek, Buffalo county, Neb. , where he passed away in 1899.

David W. Camblin was educated in the country schools of Mercer county, and when twenty years old began learning the machinist's trade, but after three years' work at it, he resumed farming, and later learned to be a carpenter. Since the fall of 1911, he has lived retired at Rock Island . Mr. Cambliu has always done what he believed to be his full duty, and is highly respected by all who know him.

While residing in Mercer county, Mr. Camblin was married to Miss Kate DeBerisford, ward of David Wilson. Her father, Mr. Robert DeBerisford, was a native of France , and her mother was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Corson of Milan , Ill. Mrs. Camblin's father was one of the engineers who planned the first bridge across Rock river , which was in those days thought to be too swift to bridge. It was while perfecting the detail of this bridge that a girder struck and killed Mr. DeBerisford, leaving to mourn him his bride of a few months.

Later, their child was placed in the hands of Mr. and Mrs, David Wilson, who were influential people of Mercer county. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Camblin, three of whom survive: Sylvester, who married Ethlyn Dumpprope, is a carpenter and contractor, with two children, Earl and Tessie; Ivan lives at home rind follows the carpenter trade, being a foreman; and Miss Mary resides with her parents at Rock Island . Those dead are: Wilson, who was born August 17, 1880 , was killed by a train, June 25, 1899 ; and Walter, who was born August 12, 1885 , died at the age of eleven months.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

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Illinois Ancestors

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