BARTLETT H. CAMPBELL. A senior member of the law firm of Campbell & Kidwell in Elwood, Mr. Campbell is head of the best known combination of legal talent in this city, and has been an active member of the Madison County bar for more than twenty years, During this long practice as a lawyer, he has become one of the conspicuous leaders in political affairs and has been prominent in the councils of his party in many capacities, Bartlett M. Campbell is a native of Madison County, born in Richland Township, April 14, 1862, and represents the best of citizenship and family stock through his forebears, The paternal grandparents were of Scotch stock, as the name Campbell would indicate, and they spent all their lives in England, where they died well advanced in years, There were four children in their family, The parents of the Elwood lawyer were John A. and Miriam B. (Trowbridge) Campbell, the father a native of Huddersfield, England, and the mother of Ohio, The four children in their family are named as follows: Alfred E., of El Centro, California; Joseph B., of Winona, Indiana; Bartlett H., of Elwood; and Imogene, wife of Charles Solomon of Anderson, where Mrs. Solomon is principal of the Washington school.
John A. Campbell, the father, came to America when about seventeen years of age and finally located in Blountsville, Henry County, Indiana, where he was married, While in that County he enlisted in Company K of the Thirty-Sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and though an adopted son of America gave three years of faithful and efficient service as a soldier for the preservation of the Union, He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh. After the war he began work as a stationary engineer, being located first at Chesterfield and later at Anderson where he resided during the rest of his years, He was killed in an accident at the Paxton Planing Mill at Anderson on the first of September, 1881. At- that time he was about fifty-three years of age, He served as justice of the peace of Anderson Township for one term and he and his wife were members of the Christian faith. His widow, who is now eighty-five years of age was a daughter of Joseph B. and Ruhama Trowbridge, the former a native of Virginia. Joseph B. Trowbridge was a character whose life and achievements have a proper place in Madison County history, Lie Was a preacher and disciple of Alexander Campbell, the founder of what is known as the Christian church, and himself became the founder of the church of this denomination at Anderson. He lived to be eighty-six years of age, while his wife attained the great age of ninety-six, Joseph B. Trowbridge was twice married. By his first wife he had three children, namely, John, Lorenzo, and Daniel. By his second wife there were the following nine children: Ann Maria; Miriam B.; David; Bartlett H., who died in the Civil war; Hannah Sparks of Muncie, Indiana; Laura; Joseph, of Muncie; Jasper, and James, twins.
Bartlett H. Campbell was reared from early childhood in Anderson, which city remained his home up to 1907, at which time he came to Elwood, As a boy he attended the grammar schools and was graduated from the Anderson high school in 1879, He then spent two years as a teacher in the district school, and followed the same vocation for three years in the Anderson City Schools. From the educational branch of public service he was appointed in 1885 as assistant postmaster of Anderson, under John W. Pence. During his work as assistant postmaster, he pursued the study of law. He was in the postoffice until November, 1888, at which time he was appointed deputy sheriff under James Etchison, and remained as deputy until 1892, Another early public service was his election as a member of the school board during the period he was with the postoffice, and he continued a member of the board while the first high school building was being erected in Anderson.
Early in 1892 Mr. Campbell was admitted to the bar and in the same year was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, serving one term in that office which has since been considered a prize among young attorneys as the best possible training ground for later successful practice, He continued after leaving the office of prosecuting attorney in private practice of law at Anderson, and became a partner with Mr. Mark B. Turner, under the firm name of Turner & Campbell, This partnership continued until 1897 at which time Mr. Campbell entered the firm of Goodykoontz and Ballard, his name being placed as the last partner in the new title. After the death of Judge Goodykoontz in 1902 the firm continued as Ballard & Campbell until 1904 at which time the partnership was dissolved.
Mr. Campbell then continued in practice alone, When Mr. John L. Forkner was elected mayor of Anderson in 1902, he appointed Mr. Campbell as city attorney, and he held that office for four years.
In 1907 Mr. Campbell established his office in Elwood, and has since enjoyed a splendid practice, from this city and vicinity. Since January 1, 1910, he has served as city attorney, One of the Democratic leaders, he served as chairman of the Democratic County committee from 1898 to 1900, was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee from the eighth congressional district of 1900 to 1902, and was on the presidential electoral ticket in the campaign of 1896, In 1912 Governor Marshall appointed him marshal for the eighth congressional district to collect and canvass the votes for presidential elector.
Mr. Campbell on July 7, 1883, married Miss Luella Wright, daughter of James and Sarah (Hamilton) Wright, The seven children of their marriage are named Dale J., Lena, Edith, Colin, Ralph, James, and Marian, The son Dale J., is in the shoe business at Portland, Oregon, and by his marriage to Edith Dowling has two children. Maxine and James, Lena married George O. Kennedy and they reside on a ranch near Anderson, California. Miss Edith is a teacher in the Elwood public schools; Colin died in infancy; Ralpb lives in Elwood, and by his wife Hazel Smith has one son Jack, The son James was killed in a railroad accident at Anderson, December 31, 1906, his death following on January 2, 1907. Marian is now ten years of age and attending school, Mrs. Campbell was born at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Her parents, the father a native of Indiana, and the mother of Philadelphia, died in Philadelphia when she was a small child and she was reared in the family of a Mrs. Fobes, best known in her community as Grandma Fobes. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are both members of the Christian church and his fraternal affiliations connect him with Mount Moriah Lodge No. 77 A. F. & A. M. at Anderson, with Elwood Lodge No, 368 of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and with Madison Council No, 334 of the Royal Arcanum at Anderson.