Campbells of Nelson, PA

The tenth annual reunion of the Campbell family was held at Nelson, Pa., August 20. 1903. The weather being perfect, in spite of the threatening aspect of the skies of the morning, the meeting took place on the school grounds, as heretofore; at an early hour the gathering of the clan commenced.

Refreshments were served at 1 o'clock, and as soon as the meal was over the family was called to order by E. B. Campbell, the President, and the musical and literary program was taken up.

This was heralded by a beautifully rendered instrumental and vocal selection by Prof. C. B. Campbell, of Hedgesville, N. Y., who led with the violin, and was accompanied by Mrs. Campbell with the cornet, and Mr. Eaton on the organ.

G. W. Buck, Esq., of Elmira, N. Y., at this time gave the address of welcome. He spoke of the power of character, and of the value of endurance, and showed how these qualities had enabled the founders of this family to endure the hardships and labor so heroically in the days gone by. He pointed to the lessons of the year just past, and to the possibilities of the year to come. He emphasized the value of good citizenship, and the power of the individual; and declared that the "Welcome" was through the gateway of honest endeavor.

At this time came the election of officers for the ensuing year, and the following were elected:
T. C. Campbell, Knoxville, President.
J. C. Campbell, Elkland, Vice Pres.
E. C. Blackwell, Nelson, Secretary.
M. B. Seely, Nelson, Treasurer.

Letters of regret were presented and read by the Secretary, the following persons having so written:
"The Bucks,"¹ Stroudsburg, Pa.
L. Roundsville,² Bay City, Mich.
E. T. Congdon, Tacoma, Wash.
L. C. Smart and wife, Wellsboro, Pa.

Also a letter received from Ed. C. Green, who wrote from 300 miles north of Resurrection Bay in Alaska.

The company was then charmed with a vocal duet my Misses Helen Shipman and Edna Ellison. They sang "If I Only Could Bring Back the Past." Being encored they sang "Old Fashioned Roses."

Under the general topic "Genealogy and Reminiscences," President E. B. Campbell in a few well chosen ... [section missing from clipping]

Prof. C. B. Campbell and wife then gave a coronet duet, which delighted everybody.

An original poem was then read my Miss Lena Seely,³ which was so apt and witty and telling, and altogether appropose [sic] that it was unanimously voted to give it a place in the minutes and have it published. It was as follows:
In the quiet town of Nelson,
Where Cowanesque's waters sound,
Neath the stately trees of maple,
On the old school ground;
Comes a goodly band of pilgrims,
From the city and the town,
From the hills and from the valleys,
From all the country round.

They're not followers of Mohammed,
Come to worship at a shrine;
But a band of jolly Campbells
Whom love and friendship bind
Every year in month of August,
Into one great family,
Who forget their cares and sorrows
In hours of pleasantry.
Some come with baskets laden,
And some with freezers chill,
Some some with pails to fill;
Each face is brightly lighted,
This is not a day to frown,
And a face that isn't smiling,
Is a thing that can't be found.

No one is old in this company,
All are young today;
And though the years are many
And the hair has long been gray;
Their hearts are young and joyous,
And cares they all forget,
Though they soon will cross the river,
And the sun for them will set.

There are faces that are missing,
And ones not seen before;
They smile to greet the new ones,
Sigh for those seen no more.
But there's one thought to remember,
As we think of friends so dear,
That in spirit they are with us,
Are ever hovering near.

They talk of the days of their childhood,
And the stories whispered oe'r,
Of the time when the war was raging,
Of the loved ones gone before;
Of their hopes for the unseen future,
Of how they worked and saved,
To do the best for their children,
Of the nation's problems grave.

And the air is filled with the music
Of children's voices gay,
And a livelier lot could not be found,
If one searched for many a day;
And their hearts are content and happy,
When they come to the old school ground,
If over the fence, they spy the face,
Of the man with the merry-go-round.

Now comes the best of all the day,
For they are hungry, no mistake,
And the tables groan with the weight they bear,
Of chicken, and salad, and cake;
They talk, and laugh, and eat and drink
Nothing stronger than iced tea,
And of goodies brought from home that morn,
There is not much left to see.

And then they gather, one and all,
Beneath the cooling shade,
There are officers to be elected,
Speeches to be made;
Recitations, songs to be sung,
History read which tells,
Of the origin of this sturdy race,
The clan of the Campbells.

Now suddenly the sun is sinking,
There is hurrying to and fro,
With regrets and good-byes are now being said,
For it is time to go;
When we meet in August, nineteen four,
Let us hope and pray,
That not a visage will be missed,
Of those gathered here today.

Interesting remarks were made by Dr. Chas. Hazlett, of Wellsboro.

W. C. Campbell, of Marinette, Wis., was then called to the front and gave a most neat and witty speech, so replete with personal facts that it was heard to strike several individuals present with the thud of a shot which has found its target. was most entertaining [written in].

James Loop, Esq., of Elmira, was then called upon, and spoke briefly but happily.

C. H. Lugg, of Coudersport, Pa., being introduced, gave one of the best addresses of the day. It was an inspiration to all who desire to make the most of life in this day when "To be living is sublime."

W. E. Selph, of Brooklyn, accompanied by Mrs. Mary Shewman, gave a grand rendition of the beautiful solo, "Asleep in the Deep." He was called on for a speech and spoke five minutes upon the Nobler Aims in Life, and made an impassioned appeal to the youth of the audience, to live for high ideals. All were the better for having listened to his stirring words, and were in a mood to appreciate the song which followed. "Grant We May Meet Again."

A collection was taken to defray the necessary expenses $9.06 being asked for and $11.00 received.

There were 142 relatives present.

All joined in singing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again," and the meeting was adjourned.