George Washington Campbell

Ceaselessly to and fro flies the deft shuttle which weaves the web of human destiny, and into the vast mosaic fabric enter the individuality, the effort, the accomplishment of each man, be his station that most lowly or one of majesty, pomp and power. Within the textile folds may be traced the line of each individuality, be it the one that lends the beautiful sheen of honest worth and useful endeavors, or one that, dark and zigzag, finds its way through warp and woof, marring the composite beauty by its blackened threads, ever in evidence of the shadowed and unprolific life. Into the great aggregate each individuality is merged, and yet the essence of each is never lost, be the angle of its influence wide-spreading and grateful, or narrow and baneful. In his efforts he who essa3's biographical memoirs finds much of profit and much of alluring fascination when he would follow out, in even a cursory way, the tracings of a life-history, seeking to find the keynote of each respective personality. These efforts and their resulting transmission cannot fail of value in an objective way, for in each case may the lesson of life be conned, line after line, precept after precept. One could not contemplate the life-record of the late George Washington Campbell, for many years one of the leading business men and public-spirited citizens of Boone county, Indiana without gaining therefrom many helpful hints and forming at the same time a very high opinion of the man, for his various efforts in material and civic affairs, extending over a period of many years, resulted in incalculable good and stamped him as a gentleman of rare attributes of head and heart, which alone would excite the admiration and reverence of all, especially of the contemplative turn of mind, and his record might well be followed by the youth hesitating at the parting of the ways.

Mr. Campbell, who was a prominent manufacturer of Lebanon, and for years one of the best known men of affairs in northern Indiana, was born in Clinton county, this state, March 9, 1845. He was a son of Mark and Matilda (Goshorn) Campbell. The father was born August 11, 1800 in Pennsylvania, and the mother was also a native of that state. There they grew to maturity, received such educational advantages as the early-day rural schools afforded, and there they married, emigrating to Clinton county, Indiana in pioneer times, there developed a good farm by their industry, on which they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying October 1, 1870, after passing his allotted three score and ten. The mother, whose birth occurred July 6, 1805, died before passing the half century mark, on January 18, 1854. The father subsequently married again. His family consisted of ten children by his first wife, only two of whom are now living, namely: William, James, Nicholas G., Robert, John B., Sarah J., Mart T. is living; George W., subject of this sketch; Hannah A. was next in order; and Millard F. the youngest, is living.

George W. Campbell grew to manhood on the home farm in Clinton county where he worked hard when he became of proper age, consequently his early schooling was interrupted until he was sixteen years of age. But he was ambitious and studied at home, becoming a splendid example of a successfully self-educated and self-made man. For a time he taught school
near Mulberry, his native county. Later he turned his attention to the drug business, and in order to properly prepare himself he took a course in chemistry in Cincinnati, Ohio. His first drug store was in Frankfort, Indiana, where he got a good start, then came to Lebanon in 1875 where he continued the same line of endeavor with more gratifying results until he launched into the lumber business, becoming the senior member of the well-known firm of Campbell, Smith, Ritchie & Company, Lebanon's chief manufacturing industry, which has given employment and support to more than one hundred families for many years. They maintained an extensive and modernlv equipped plant, where various specialties, such as kitchen cabinets were manufactured, which were of such superior workmanship and quality that they ever found a very ready market over a vast territory, the company also owning and operating large lumber yards. The great prestige and pronounced success of the firm was due for the most part to the able management and wise counsel, indomitable industry and rare business acumen of Mr. Campbell. He was certainly deserving of a great deal of credit for what he accomplished, having forced his way unaided from a humble beginning to a position in the front ranks of the substantial, progressive and influential men of affairs of this section of Indiana. He owned a beautiful modern residence on South Meridian street.

Mr. Campbell was married May 14, 1873, to Alice Catherine Paige, who was born May 22, 1847, in Tippecanoe county. Indiana, and she spent her earlier life in the city of LaFayette where she received an excellent education in the Catholic schools, later attended school in Frankfort, Indiana, and for a few years she engaged in teaching in Clinton county. She is a lady of culture and refinement and has long been popular with the best circles in Lebanon. She is a daughter of Franklin K. and Martha (Barr) Paige, the father a native of Vermont and the mother was born in Pennsylvania. They were married November 13, 1842. Mr. Paige devoted part of his earlier life to teaching, also farmed for awhile. He was regarded as one of the most progressive and capable educators of his time. His family consisted of two children. Albert Rush, who is now deceased: and Mrs. Alice C. Campbell, widow of our subject.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell was blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Ethel, born July 15, 1874, was educated in the Lebanon high school and DePauw University, and married Benjamin F. Coons, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume: Ivan, born April 6, 1878, died July 8th of the same year; Myrtle, born September 4, 1879. was educated in the high school in Lebanon, also received a musical education, and is now the wife of Lester F. Jones.

Politically, Mr. Campbell was a strong Republican, and was for some time active in public affairs. He at one time made the race for mayor of Lebanon, but was defeated by a small majority. Religiously he was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian church, of Lebanon, in which he was an elder. He was prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the following orders: Lodge No. 45, Knights of Pythias, the Tribe of Ben Hur: Boone Lodge, No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons; Lebanon Chapter No. 39, Royal Arch Masons; Lebanon Commandery, No. 43, Knights Templars, of which he had been treasurer during the last ten years of his life; he also belonged to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Indianapolis. He attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry.

The death of Mr. Campbell occurred suddenly on April 22, 1913, and his demise was regarded as a distinct loss to the city and county so long honored by his residence. The Lebanon Patriot spoke of him, in part, as follows: "Mr. Campbell was one of the most highly respected citizens of Lebanon, and his relationship with the people was that of a true man. He was of the highest type of citizenship. His unostentatious manner won him many friends, and it is a common expression that Lebanon is a better town because he lived in it. Lebanon, perhaps, never had a citizen whose death was more universally mourned."

The Lebanon Daily Reporter had this to say, among other things: "A really good man has passed to the great beyond — one whom we were proud to call by the sacred name of friend, has passed to his eternal reward. He will be truly missed — not only in his home where he was so dearly beloved — but outside where too, he had many friends. It was recently said of him by one who knew him well, that never had he heard Mr. Campbell speak an evil word of any one, nor use an ill word in his conversation. It was his happy disposition to not only think well of every one but to speak well of them. He has filled a large place in the community, but it has been unostentatiously and quietly."

Source Citation: Boone County Biographies [database online] Boone County INGenWeb. 2008. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: Hon. L. M. Crist. "History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families." Indianapolis, Ind.: A. W. Bowen, 1914. pp 608-613.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - October 6, 2008