Hunt, Herbert and Floyd C. Kaylor. Washington: West of the Cascades. Vol. III. Chicago, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1917. p. 315-316. CAMPBELL, JAMES, a Seattle capitalist, who is regarded as one of the distinguished figures in business circles in the northwest, was born in Nova Scotia October 25, 1853. His father, Captain John Campbell, now deceased was a native of Scotland and sailed as a captain of steamboats of the Cunard Coal Company for forty- nine years. This company ran tow boats, coast boats and wreckers. At the age of eighty-nine he passed away, while his wife died at the age of eight-eight years. In her maidenhood she was Mary Renton, a sister of Captain Rention, one of the old pioneers of this section of the country, mentioned elsewhere in this work. James Campbell acquired his education in the common schools of Nova Scotia and entered the workaday world as an apprentice to the carpenter's trade. After thoroughly acquainting himself with the business he went to sea and then engaged in steamboating with his father, sailing as officer out of Montreal to St. John's, Newfoundland, after which he came to Puget Sound in the year 1879. For two years thereafter he worked as a millwright at Port Blakeley and in 1882 he operated a planer for five or six months, after which he again engaged as foreman millwright, continuing actively along that line for twelve years. He next became superintendent of the mills in which he had purchased an interest and remained with the business until it was sold. Some time before Captain and Mrs. Renton and a Mr. Holmes of San Francisco had entered into an agreement by which James Campbell and his brother, John A. Campbell, were to operate the mill as managers until ten years after Captain Renton's death. After the captain died in 1891, Mr. Campbell and his brother bought stock in the property, which they sold in 1903, the deal for which sale was principally conducted by James Campbell for the family interests, he having gone to San Francisco for that purpose and made what was considered a very advantageous sale. His business judgement is sound, his sagacity marked, his enterprise unfaltering, and his ready recognition and utilization of opportunity have been salient points in his successful career. On the 17th of July, 1888, at Port Blakeley, Washington, Mr. Campbell married Miss Annie M. Swanberg, a daughter of Charles Swanberg, a pattern maker. Mr. Campbell is a republican in his political convictions, but is not an active party worker. He is a life member of the Elks Lodge No. 92, of Seattle, also a life member in the Rainier Club and Seattle Athletic Club, and his name is on the membership rolls of the Earlington Golf Club and the Seattle Golf and Country Club, a fact that indicates much of the nature of his recreation and his interests outside of business. He is thoroughly progressive, a dynamic force in whatever he undertakes, and in the accomplishment of his purpose he readily recognizes the value of plans and forces that lead to success. He is now engaged in the timber, logging and mill business, near Seattle. Submitted by: Jenny Tenlen * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.