My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM M. CAMPBELL was born in Trigg County, Ky., October 3, 1842, and is a son of William and Sarah J. (Baker) Campbell, both natives of Kentucky, the former of Scotch and the latter of French descent. William Campbell, Sr., was born in Bourbon County, Ky., October 26, 1797, where he lived for some time, then removed to Tennessee, where he spent one year, then came to Christian County, and thence to Trigg County, where he still resides at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, the oldest man in Rock Castle Precinct and the second oldest in the county. When Mr. Campbell came to Trigg County it was unoccupied save by wolves, bears and wild game. In youth he learned the tanner’s trade, but made farming his occupation instead. William M. Campbell (our subject) received a good common school education, but was forced to leave school early owing to ill health. At the beginning of the war troubles, though barely old enough for enrollment, he was elected Captain of Company A, First Regiment Kentucky Volunteers. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Capt. T. G. Woodward’s squadron, Kentucky Cavalry, C. S. A., which subsequently composed Companies A and B, First Kentucky Cavalry, commanded by Gen. Ben Hardin Helm. Mr. Campbell served throughout the war, rising through successive grades from private to Lieutenant commanding company. He was desperately wounded in front of Columbia, S. C., on the 15th of February, 1865. After the war he taught school one year. He was married, November 16, 1865, to Rebecca C. Holland, a native of Kentucky, by whom he has had nine children, of whom Nannie, John S. David W., William M., Jr., and Richard G. are living. After his marriage Mr. Campbell engaged in merchandising; later was employed as head salesman for Hillman & Son’s Iron Works, and at present is head salesman for Ewald & Co.’s store (iron works), and also superintends his farm. He is a member of the P. of H. and A. F. & A. M., and of the Missionary Baptist Church. Has served as Sheriff of Trigg County four years; has also figured conspicuously in politics, and is one of the leading influential business men of the county.