Dr. Alexander Campbell
was the only resident of Adams County who attained the position of United States senator. He was born in Greenbriar County, Virginia, in 1779. In childhood he lived in East Tennessee, and afterwards at Crab Orchard, Kentucky. He lost his father, Alexander Campbell, Sr., at the age of twelve years, and up to that time had not attended any school. His mother purchased a small farm in Woodford County, Kentucky, and here he first attended school. He went to Lexington and studied medicine with Drs. Reighley and Brown, beginning in 1799. In 1801 he began to practice medicine at Cynthiana, Kentucky. Here he married a daughter of Col. Alexander Dunlap, and while here was elected a member of the Kentucky legislature.
In 1804 he removed to that part of Adams County afterwards set off to Brown County. In 1807 he was elected as a member of the legislature from Adams County; and re-elected in 1808 and 1809. On December 12, 1809, he was elected speaker of the house. On the same day Edward Tiffin resigned as United States senator, leaving four years yet to serve, and Dr. Cambpell was elected to fill the vacancy. The vote stood: Alexander Campbell, 38; Richard Thompson, of Lebanon, 29; Thomas Worthington, 1; James Pritchard, 1, and David Findlay, 1. In the senate he voted against the declaration of war with Great Britain, and against renewing the charter of the United States Bank. During the time he was United States senator, he rode horseback to Washington, D. C., and return, to attend the sessions of Congress. He was a merchant from 1803 to 1815, and purchased his goods in Philadelphia. He made the purchases personally twice each year, and rode from his home to Philadelphia and back, on horseback, for that purpose.
He moved to Ripley in 1815, and resided there until his death. In 1820 he was a presidential elector, and voted for James Monroe. After the organization of Brown County, he was in the state senate in 1822 and 1823; and in the house from Brown County in 1832 and 1833. In 1826 he was a candidate for governor, and had 4,675 votes. In 1836, he was again a presidential elector, and voted for William Henry Harrison. He was mayor of Ripley from 1838 to 1840. He died November 5, 1857, and has an imposing monument in the new cemetery at Ripley. He was one of the first physicians in Ripley, and was eminent in his profession. He possessed the confidence of all who knew him, and was a most popular citizen; not because he sought it, but be cause his character commanded public approbation. He was of anti slavery views and principles all his life.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900