The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-08-08

Alexander Campbell. the subject Of the
accompanying sketch, was born in Frank
lin county, Pa, October 4th, 'd814, and
remained with his parents on farm until
he was fourteen years OF age, when an
elder brother, accompanied by Alexander,
moved to McCOnnellstown, Huntingdon
county, and established himself in mercan-
tile trade there. Thenceforward, until the
fall of 1884, with the exception Of short
term spent in the academy at the county
seat, AlexandeT's s time was divided between
his duties NJ clerk in his brothers store
and his studies in the village school. At
the period last mentioned, he entered the
employment Of Messrs. Lyon, Short Il Co.,
iron manufacturers, at one of their estab-
lishments on the Juniata, and remained
there until 184O. He then entered the
employment of Messrs. j. II. 4 G. X.
Schoenberger, as manager Of the Juniata
Forge, where he continued until the spring
of 1874. During that year he made an
extensive tour of the western states, visit
ing Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.
On his return to Pennsylvania he took
charge of Mill Creek Furnace, owned by
Mrssrs. Dorsey & Green, in which position
he continued for . period of about two
years, after which he accepted the manage
ment of the Potomac Furnace, in Loudon
county, Va, where he remained but
short time. In the fall Of 1886 he took
the management Of Greenup Furnace, Ky,
owned BY Messrs. Campbell, Willard a
Wilson, and remained in that capacity
until the company disposed of their works,
in 1848. He then visited Iron Mountain
and Pilot Knob, in Missouri, and entered
into an arrangement with the Madison
Iron and Mining Company to superintend
their works at the last named place. Be
fore entering upon the duties of this posi-
tion, however, he had the misfortune Of
having one Of his legs broken and the other
badly fractured, which incapacitated him
for business until the following fan, when
he took charge of the establishment. In
the early part of the summer of l849 he
had an attack Of cholera, which 50 seriously
impaired his general health as to render
him unfit for business for period Of sew
eral months, hut IN the fall, his health
being restored, he commenced the superin-
tendence of the Stella Iron Works, on the
Maramec, in Missouri, which were COM
pleted in 1850. The prospect Of business
being insufficient to justify the putting Of
the works into operation, he removed, with
his family, to La Sale, ILL.,, to look after
some lands acquired through the old United
States Bank, intending to return to Mis-
souri, IN the following spring. But, becom-
ing interested in the coal fields of La Sale
and contiguous localities, he concluded to
locate permanently in Illinois, and has
ever since resided in La Sale.
Mr.. Campbell was, we believe, the first
TO prospect tor coal, in the 4einity Of La
Sale, by boring.
In the spring Of 1851 he engaged in the
business of general land agency, in which
he continued for number Of years, at the
same time taking lively interest in the
railroads and other internal improvements
then progressing in the State.
LIN politics, Mr.. Campbell was q Wing
until the Wing party was dissolved, al
though he had never been an active par
ticipant in party maneuvers, and joined
the Republican party immsdiatsly after its
organization.
In 1852 he was chosen the first Mayor
of the city Of La Sale, and reelected to
that Office for second term. He was
elected to the State Legislature as Re-
publican, in 1858. In 1851 he was chosen
q member of the Convention to amend the
State Constitution, on union ticket In
all these positions his conduct gave general
satisfaction To his constituents.
Soon after coming 10 the State he became
acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, for
whom he entertained the highest esteem,
and was among his first and most earnest
advocates and supporters for the Presiden'
cy, and acted with the Rep iblican party
and supported MIR. Lincoln's AGministrs
tion until the adoption Of he bill estab
fishing the national banking system, sincs
which time he has mot been identified with
!, either of the dominant political parties.
y Upon the breaking out Of the rebellion
his a*ention was turned to the considers
r tion Of she question Of national finances
4 and the ws5s and means by which tn
money for the 1roseeution Of the wa