Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers. "An Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties") Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1905. p. 663. HON. W. L. CAMPBELL one of the venerable citizens of Wheeler county, resides about ten miles east from Mitchell. He is a member of that intrepid band which made its way across the plains in the first half of the last century, braving all sorts of dangers and hardships for the purpose of opening the Pacific coast for settlement. He has labored long and well and has the satisfaction of knowing that he materially assisted in bringing about the gratifying prosperity of this entire western region which has resulted from the united labors of such men as Mr. Campbell. At present, he is retired from active labors, having spent a long and eventful career of industry and progressiveness. W. L. Campbell was born in Petersburg, Virginia, on September 29, 1824, being the son of James Austin and Mary Massey (Vaughn) Campbell. The former was born in Virginia in 1785 and died in New Orleans, in 1830. The latter was born in Goochland county, Virginia, in 1795, and died in 1860. The parents were descended from the most prominent farmers of Virginia who date back to the early colonial days and who were thoroughly American in principle and in life. Our subject was educated in the common schools in Richmond, Virginia, and when seventeen years of age, went thence to Tennessee where he remained until the beginning of the Mexican War. At Nashville, he enlisted in the First Tennessee regiment, commanded by Colonel H. C. Campbell, a relative of his. His captain was Adrian Northcut. This regiment was the first to land in Mexico and our subject participated in the heat of the struggle and did active service in the battle of Monterey and in may other places and finally received his honorable discharge. Then he returned to Tennessee and crossed the plains to California in 1849, utilizing for the journey, ox teams. For thirty-three years, M. Campbell was busily engaged in mining and farming in the Golden State and then in 1882, he came north and selected eight hundred acres of land in what is now Wheeler county. He purchased this and engaged in raising cattle and horses. He actively prosecuted these related occupations until a few years since when the accumulated holdings, acquired by his industry and thrift, enabled him to retire from further active life. He has a splendid standing in the community and has always shown himself a first class business man and a broad minded citizen. On October 25, 1854, Mr. Campbell married Miss Charlotte Bower. Ten years later, April 15, 1864, Mr. Campbell married Miss Eliza Ellison. The children born to him are named as follows: Mary, deceased; Winslow; A. R. and W. L., twins; Richmond L.; Sally; James; Cora; Lena, and Ida. Mr. Campbell has always been a Democrat and in 1859 his name appeared on that ticket for the legislature in the state of California. He made a good record in the house, and served his constituency well and retired to business life with the consciousness that he had fulfilled the trust that had been committed to him. Mr. Campbell has one sister, Mrs. Virginia A. Bradford, who was born in Richmond, Virginia, on July 17, 1815. She was highly educated in the best institutions of the day and in 1836 married Edward Bradford. He descended from one of the leading families in the south. Mr. Campbell's family, as stated before, was one of the leading and prominent ones of the United States, but the war swept away all their property. However, their ability and energy since brought back to the various members fine holdings. Transcriber's additional notes: Census 1860, July 9; San Joaquin Co, CA; Elliott Twp, p 943 Washington L. Campbell, 35, m, VA, farmer, $6000 / $3500 Charlotte, 21, f, IL Austin, 2, m, CA Alvira Bates, 16, f, NB Malissa Hamilton, 11, f, MO William Russell, 21, m, MI, farm laborer Richard Caell, 22, m, OH, farm laborer 1870, July 5; San Joaquin Co, CA; Elliott Twp, p 74; Stockton PO W. L. Campbell, 47, VA, farmer, $5000 / $2000 Eliza, 28, MO, keeps house Winslow, 11, CA, att. school Washington, 9, CA, att. school Abdiel, 6, CA, att. school Richmond, 5, CA Sarah, 2, CA Dixie, 2/12, CA, born May Henry Adams, 28, ENG, farm laborer James Jackson, 34, ENG, farm laborer 1880, June 2; San Joaquin Co, CA; Elliott Pct, p 159 Washington Camel, 58, VA, VA, VA, farmer Eliza, wife, 36, MO, KY, KY, housekeeper Winslow, son, 22, CA, VA, IL, farm laborer Abdiel, son, 19, CA, VA, IL, farm laborer Richmon, son, 15, CA, VA, MO, att. school Sally, dau, 12, CA, VA, MO, att. school Cora, dau, 9, CA, VA, MO, att. school Lena, dau, 7, CA, VA, MO, att. school Ida, dau, 5, CA, VA, MO Walter, son, 2, CA, VA, MO 1900, June 8; Wheeler Co, OR; Mountain Pct, p 21 Washington Campbell, 75, Sept 1824, VA, VA, VA, farmer, mar 34 yrs Eliza, wife, 57, April 1843, MO, KY, KY, mar 34 yrs, 6 children-6 living 1910, April 25; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 79, Wd 9, p 262 (difficult to read) George W. Eaton, 23, OR, OR, OR, mar 1 yr ?, wife, 23, --, --, --, mar 1 yr W. L. Campbell, grandfather, 85, VA, VA, VA 1910, April 15; Wheeler Co, OR; Mitchell Pct, p 266; High st. Eliza M. Campbell, head, 67, MO, KY, KY, Divorced, 6 children-6 living, own income, owns home free John W. Ellison, brother, 65, MO, KY, KY, single, own income 1920, January 21; Wheeler Co, OR; Mitchell Pct, p 5 Eliza M. Campbell, 76, MO, KY, KY, Wd, no occ. John W. Elison, brother, 74, MO, KY, KY, single, prospector, minerals ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.