Campbell, Braxton - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

The busy career of B.W. Campbell ends. Noted saddlery manufacturer was born in Covington, Ky. and fostered varied business interests. Funeral arrangements await arrival of brother. Braxton W. Campbell, President of the Perkins-Campbell Company, and one of the best known figures in the harness and saddlery industry of the country, died at his home 2338 Kemper Lane, Walnut Hills, yesterday afternoon. He was 74 years old. As the former president of the National Wholesale Saddlery Assoc, Mr. Campbell had a wide acquaintance throughout the country. He was generally looked upon as the dean of the harness industry in the United States. Mr. Campbell's death was due to complications which developed following an attack of gripe (sic). He had been ill for more than a month. Funeral services will be arranged when it is ascertained when his only surviving brother, M.L. Campbell will arrive from California. He was notified late yesterday of his brothers death and started for Cincinnati immediately. Mr. Campbell was born in Covington, ky. Nov 21, 1851 the son of A. Morgan and Sarah Love Campbell. His youth was spent in the country and he was educated in the public schools of Burlington, Boone Co, Ky. When he was 17 years old he came to Cincinnati and obtained employment in the candy factory of the Rhinehart & Newton Co. Later he became a traveling salesman for one of Cincinnati's early saddlery concerns. This position he held for 8 years. Jan 1, 1879 with H.A. and W.S. Perkins, Mr. Campbell organized Perkins & Campbell. In the new organization, Mr. Campbell left the production end of business to his associates, while he continued on the road as a salesman. For 5 years he directed the sales department, passing most of his time among the dealers and users of the firms' products. The organization was inc. in 1892 and soon thereafter erected the building in which the firm is now housed at Broadway & New streets. Through the retirement of his partners in 1905, Mr. Campbell assumed control of business. Besides the saddlery and harness industry Mr. Campbell was interested in a river and transport line for a number of years and was a director of one interurban traction line and a president of another. While never active in politics he was nominated for several offices by the Dem. party at a time when the nominations were regarded rather as a compliment than opportunities to attan political eminence. Mr. Campbell was twice married, his first wife was Miss Ada DeGarmo of Covington and after her death he married her sister, Miss Hattie DeGarmo. They had two sons, Wendall B. and Wilton D. Campbell. Mr. Campbell was prominent in Masonic circles and was a member of the Business Mens Club, Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the Cincinnati Country Club, and a Director of the unions Savings Bank & Trust, the Dow Drug Co and the Model Home Company. Mr. Campbell was a brother of the late Mrs. Howard Demaree and Mrs. Sam Carpenter. John Demaree received a telegram on Wed. telling of his death. Mr. Campbell has visited here several times. - kbz