WASHINGTON H. CAMPBELL was born in Bath, Mason county, Illinois, on October 12th, 1847, where he resided until he was ten years old. His father, having been elected County Judge, removed to Havana. In 1858, his father, having been elected to the Legislature, removed his family to Lincoln. He was steady in attendance at school until he was twelve years of age, when he entered a dry goods store, acting as clerk and cashier. He remained in this employment for two years. He then entered the high school, and pursued his studies for near three years. He then became a student in Jonathan Jones’ Commercial School, St. Louis. After completing the commercial course, he entered his father’s store, in Lincoln, and remained there as book-keeper until the fall of 1866. He entered Lincoln University at the opening of the institution. He remained there until June, 1868, completing the junior year. During these two years he was always at his post; was a faithful student and an earnest Amasagascian, and took part in several of the public entertainments given by his society. He then, with his parents, moved to Mason City, where he engaged in banking with his father, and keeping up his studies. In the fall of 1869 he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and spent one year there. He was very successful in the Moot and Club courts, and was elected Judge of one of the best club courts in the University.

In the summer of 1870 he entered the law office of Hon. Luther Dearborn, Havana, Illinois. He formed a co-partnership with Mr. Dearborn soon after being admitted. He has been admitted to the United States District Court, and also to the United States Circuit Court, in which courts, as also the several adjoining Circuit Courts and State Supreme Court, he has a large and increasing practice. Mr. Campbell kept up his studies in the course prescribed by Lincoln University, and in June, 1872, the degree of B.S. was conferred upon him, and he graduated as a member of the class of 1869.

He addressed the Alumni Society, June, 1873. He is destined to become one of our ablest lawyers.

During the spring of 1876 Mr. Campbell married Miss Libbie, daughter of S.C. Conwell, Esq., of this city, and resides in their pleasant home, on the hill, near the residence of his law partner, L. Dearborn, Esq. Perhaps few other cases have occurred in which three generations have been so prominently identified with a county’s interests as have P. W. Campbell, G. H. Campbell and W. H. Campbell. The son, father and grandfather have been thus identified.

Contributed by: Jeanie Lowe