John Wesley Campbell

b. 12 May 1829, d. 8 December 1915
  • John Wesley Campbell was born on 12 May 1829 in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.
  • John Wesley Campbell and Ann Williamson Clark appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1840 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Other (counted but unnamed) members of the household apparently included John Wesley Campbell, Susan Mary Campbell, Clark Calhoun Campbell, Samuel D. Campbell, Ann Clark Campbell and Marcus L. Campbell. This family matches except (1) "Eddie" is not included (may not have been born until after census), and (2) there is one extra male aged 20-29.
  • Ann Williamson Clark appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, enumerated next to Ann's son Clark and his family.. Other members of the household included John Wesley Campbell, Marcus L. Campbell, Ann Clark Campbell, Edwin Eliza Campbell, Archibald Rowland Campbell, Douglas McQueen Campbell, Frances Rebecca Campbell and Samuel D. Campbell. (Note the Thomas T. Williamson & family living next door, connection not yet found.)
  • He was a planter, according to the 1850 census.
  • On Tuesday, 2 October 1855, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Doctor and J. Campbell and Mr. Goree came this evening," and on Monday, the 8th, "Doctor & J. Campbell and Mr. Goree left for home."
         Likely Mr. Goree was Samuel Eskridge Goree, living in Walker County, whose younger brother Robert Daniel will marry Ann Campbell's daughter Fannie, and younger brother Langston James will marry Green Mark's daughter Fannie.
  • On Friday, 16 November 1855, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Measured an acre of corn. Mr. John Barnes of Grimes and Mr. J. Campbell present. Shucked the corn and measured in a ham tierce. . . ."
  • On Saturday, 2 August 1856, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent 8 hands to help John Campbell raise a Gin house," and on Saturday, the 29th, "Sent 8 hands to help raise Screw for John Campbell."
  • Green Wood recorded in his book of Misc. Financial & Slave Records, the account of John W. Campbell from 5 November 1855 to February 1857 was settled on 25 February 1857, offset in part by work done for at Greenwood by Ann Campbell's blacksmith Esau.
  • John Wesley Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Montgomery, Montgomery County, Texas. Other members of the household included Ann Williamson Clark, Archibald Rowland Campbell, Douglas McQueen Campbell and Frances Rebecca Campbell. J. W. Campbell is listed in the 1860 Slave Schedule with 40 slaves (11 of whom were age 10 and younger, and 3 of whom were age 60 and older) and 8 slave houses. Living adjacent is William Barnes "Bose" Campbell, age 26, born in Alabama, son of Elizabeth A. Barnes Campbell, sister of Green Wood's wife Evelina.
  • J. W. Campbell is listed in the 1860 Slave Schedule with 40 slaves (11 of whom were age 10 and younger, and 3 of whom were age 60 and older) and 8 slave houses.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1860 census.
  • J. W. Campbell enlisted for the period of the war on 2 August 1861, near Harrisburg, as a 3rd sergeant in Capt. R. M. Powell's Company, Texas Volunteers, later Company D, 5th Infantry Regiment, Hood's Brigade.
         He was reported present on Company D muster rolls for September & October 1861, and according to the Company D muster roll for November & December 1861 had been sick in camp since 26 November.
         According to the Company D muster roll for January & February 1862, he was discharged on 26 January 1862 in camp near Dumfries, Prince William County, Virginia. Surgeon’s certificate of disability: “I certify that I have carefully examined the said Jno W. Campbell of Captain R. M. Powell’s Company and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier . . . & discharge recommended.”.
  • On Monday, 29 June 1863, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Saten Started to Houston, 6 Bales cotton from J. W. Campbell," and on Saturday, 4 July, "Saten got home from Houston at 10 oclock this morning, started Monday morning."
  • J. W. Campbell of Montgomery County, age 34, was enrolled (by himself, J. W. Campbell) at "Camp in the field" on 29 January 1864 in Company D, 4th Infantry Regiment, Texas State Troops, with the notations "Exempt overseer for minor children now in the army," and "signs list as 1st Lt Comdg Co."
  • He married Sarah Louise Davis, daughter of William Davis and Emeline Williams, on 26 March 1867 in Galveston, Texas, by license issued the 25th, at the residence of Col. L. W. Groce, with the Rev. Mr. Eaton officiating.
  • The following appeared on 29 March 1867 in Flake's Bulletin: [Married] At the residence of Colonel L. W. Groce in this city, on the 26th inst., by the Rev. Mr. Eaton, Mr. John W. Campbell to Miss Sarah L. Davis, both of Danville, Montgomery county.
  • John Wesley Campbell and Sarah Louise Davis appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Clear Creek, Harris County, Texas. Other members of the household included Ann Williamson Clark, Emeline L. Campbell and John Clark Campbell.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1870 census.
  • John Wesley Campbell became a widower at the circa November 1873 death of his wife Sarah Louise Davis.
  • Lucie Campbell Lee wrote: "[T]hat big brother of mine . . . aroused my sympathy for the young cousins, Emmie and Clarke, who had been left motherless." . . . "It was the
    'laying to rest' of my frail Aunt Louise, whom I had never known over-well." . . . I do remember a visit I made with my mother to Uncle John's home, across the creek. It meant a ride to the 'Davis Landing' first where Uncle John met us. . . But heavier still was the heart of lily-pale Aunt Louise, whom we found silently sitting by the empty cradle, with its dainty prettiness all unused. Doubtless the cause of this infrequent visit was the very recent loss of another baby. . . . After Aunt Louise's death the usual regime at 'Rest Haven' saw changes, for Uncle John had the 'company room' with its pale lavender and pink."
  • John Wesley Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Harris County, Texas.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1880 census.
  • The following appeared on 1 November 1884 in the Galveston Daily News: John W. Campbell, who lives on the San Jacinto Battle ground, and who has been in the city for the past few days, left for home this evening.
  • He was mentioned in the obituary of Ann Williamson Clark that appeared on 9 September 1885 in the Galveston Daily News: [Died] At Willis, Tex., September 8, Mrs. Ann W. Campbell, mother of Dr. C. C. and Archie R. Campbell, Esq., of Galveston; John Campbell, of Danville, and D. M. Campbell, of Willis, Tex; Mrs. John H. Williams, of Baltimore, and Mrs. Robert Goree, of Knox county, Texas. Deceased was a daughter of ex-Governor Clark, of Georgia. She had resided in Louisiana some years before coming to Texas, some thirty years ago. Her family connections were unusually large and widely disseminated through the South. She was in the 84th year of her age. She was a lady of rare intelligence and mental force, which she preserved to the very last. She expired purely from the effects of age, and departed without a struggle, preserving her consciousness and composure to the last. She leaves many warm friends in Galveston as well as elsewhere, her long life, family associations, and amiable and interesting character endearing her to all with whom she became acquainted, and making her the idol of her descendants and relations.
  • The following appeared on 11 December 1885 in the Galveston Daily News: Joe Massie is in town from his cattle ranch on Buffalo bayou, below Harrisburg. He has just returned from a deer-hunt in which he and John W. Campbell killed six large bucks.
  • The following appeared on 23 December 1885 in the Galveston Daily News: It is reported among the old-time bayou people who now reside in Houston, that John Campbell and his brothers are about to establish their claims to lands and other possessions in Tennessee that will make them millionaires. The new claims are said to reach above a $4,000,000 figure. John Campbell lives on the San Jacinto Battleground, and is one of the clever young men of that region. If he succeeds in getting his million (there being four heirs), John will reach an altitude of cleverness in the estimation of people that will be hard to approach.
         Research Note: Brothers Douglas, Clark and Archibald?
  • The following appeared on 27 December 1885 in the Galveston Daily News: John W. Campbell has sent to the Cotton exchange and board of trade a bag of soft-shell pecans, grown on the battle-ground of San Jacinto. These nuts are to be put on exhibition at New Orleans and also at the London exhibition. While the pecans are very fine, their historical connection will lend to them an unusual interest -- they having been produced on the field that gave to Texas her freedom from the autocratic rule of Santa Ana.
  • The following appeared on 31 July 1886 in the Galveston Daily News: The county convention resumed business at 10 o'clock this morning. . . . W. A. Rankin, S. D. Ward, John W. Campbell and Walter Harris were the candidates for hide inspector. . . . Mr. Ward's name was withdrawn, and Mr. Harris was nominted by acclamation.
  • The following appeared on 10 June 1887 in the Galveston Daily News: John W. Campbell came up from the San Jacinto battleground to-day. He is as fat as a bear and grayer than ever. It is reported that he has been won over by the prohibitionists and will stump the coast region in opposition to the anti-prohibitionists.
  • The following appeared on 2 September 1887 in the Galveston Daily News: John Campbell of the battleground has been in Houston for the past few days. Also, Mrs. Stella Campbell, who lives in the neighborhood of the old battleground, is now in the city visiting relatives.
         Research Note: Who is Stella Campbell?
  • The following appeared on 8 March 1889 in the Galveston Daily News: (Houston news) Jno. Campbell of San Jacinto is in the city to-day.
  • The following appeared on 14 March 1890 in the Galveston Daily News: (Real Estate Transfers) John W. Campbell to San Jacinto school precinct No. 14 50x100 feet of ground of the A. McCormick grant, in the town of San Jacinto, $1.
  • The following appeared on 29 December 1891 in the Galveston Daily News: Oleander camp, Woodmen of the world, have elected the following officers for the ensuing term: . . . clerk, John W. Campbell. . .
  • The following appeared on 6 September 1892 in the Galveston Daily News: On Sunday evening the Oleander Camp, No. 21, Woodmen of the World, unveiled a monument which had been erected to the memory of deceased sovereign, Geo. W. Arnold, who died March 13 last, this being the only death which has occurred in this camp since it was organized. . . . and John W. Campbell, poet. . . .
  • The following appeared on 9 October 1892 in the Galveston Daily News: In political circles to-day the whole subject of consideration has been the meeting of the [Harris] county democratic executive commitee, held in Dumler's hall this forenoon. . . . The roll was called and the following members, with their respective precincts, answered present: . . . . San Jacinto: J. W. Campbell. . . . Chairman Meyer declared a working quorum present and informed the committee on the condition of affairs brought about by the intereference of Waller Baker, and asked the committee to take the matter under consideration. Some discussion ensued and J. W. Campbell of San Jacinto offered the following resolutions: Resolved, that the members of the Harris county executive committee, in meeting assembered, do hereby declare the Hon. Joseph F. Meyer the duly elected chairman of the executive committee of Harris county, and, further, that he can be displaced by no power save that conferred by the people through the Harris county democratic convention. The resolution was adopted with but one dissenting vote. . . .
  • The following appeared on 4 January 1893 in the Galveston Daily News: John Campbell of San Jacinto is in town [Houston] to-day.
  • The following appeared on 20 February 1893 in the Galveston Daily News: (Houston Local Matters) John Campbell of San Jacinto is in this city.
  • The following appeared on 28 April 1893 in the Galveston Daily News: On Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock there will be an interesting service at the grave of Wallace Tuller, in the Episcopal cemetery. The Woodmen of the world, of which organization the deceased was a member, have eredted a monument to him, which will be unveiled with appropriate ceremonies. Mr. John D. Fearbake will be orator for the occasion. A poem will be read by John W. Campbell, and the "Merry four" quartette will sing during the service. . . .
  • The following appeared on 3 June 1894 in the Galveston Daily News: Most of the county precincts to-day held their elections of delegates to the county convention to be held on the 7th instant in this city to nominate men to fill the various offices. Several of them will not get their delegates in before to-morrow or next day, or even later. . . . To-day these county precincts held their primariees, which resulted as follows: San Jacinto: John Campbell and Frank Lockhart. . . .
  • The following appeared on 29 September 1894 in the Galveston Daily News: Democratic Committee. The county democratic executive committee has been called by Chairman Spencer Hutchins to meet to-morrow (Saturday) forenoon at 10 o'clock, in the city council chamber, for the purpose of considering several important matters connected with the prospective duties of the committee in this campaign. . . . The members are: . . . San Jacinto, John Campbell. . .
  • The following appeared on 28 October 1894 in the Galveston Daily News: (Houston, Oct. 27) This forenoon, in accordance with a call made by Chairman Spencer Hutchins of the democratic county executive committee, there was a meeting held in the council chamber for the purpose of further considering the programme of the campaign in behalf of the democratic ticket. There was some delay in getting down to business on account of the tardiness of some members. . . . Roll call showed the following members to be present: . . . and J. W. Campbell, San Jacinto.
         . . . Mr. John Campbell, the member of the county executive committee from San Jacinto precinct, came up this morning. He reports encouragingly from his section and says that the speaking early in the week at La Porte by Hon. J. C. Hutcheson won many votes to the party in that section; that the people down there were so greatly pleased with his address that many republicans will vote for him and most of the ticket rather than run the risk of electing a single populist. In national matters they will still vote for the republican ticket, of course. . . .
  • The following appeared on 15 March 1895 in the Galveston Daily News: Senator Shelburne and Representatives Kennedy and Mooney have prepared the following list of notaries public to present to Governor Culbertson for appointment: . . . John W. Campbell of Deer Park. . . .
  • The following appeared on 14 May 1895 in the Galveston Daily News: Mr. Ed F. Dupree, county clerk of Harris county, received to-day the official notification from the secretary of state of Texas of the appointments of all notaries public of and for Harris county. They are required to appear at the county clerk's office on June 1 (and not before) and qualify. The following are the appointments: . . . John W. Campbell, Deer Park. . .
  • Deer Park, founded in 1892, located in the present-day Houston-Suger Land-Baytown metropolitan area, neighbors La Porte, the site of the San Jacinto Battlefield.
  • The following appeared on 12 May 1896 in the Galveston Daily News: (Houston, May 11) The Democratic executive committee will meet to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock in the city council chamber. Spencer Hutchins is chairman of the committee and Charles Kinzbach secretary. The followingt compose the committee: . . . San Jacinto: John Campbell. . . .
  • The following appeared on 3 June 1896 in the Galveston Daily News: Chairman Spencer Hutchins of the county democratic executive committee, and the chairmen of the various city precincts have issued the following calls: A primary election of the democratic party of Harris county is hereby called for the 4th day of June, 1896, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Precinct chairmen hare hereby authorized and will cause primaries to held in their respective precincts in accordance with the above call. . . . Below are the presiding officers, number of precinct and voting place: . . . 17. J. W. Campbell, San Jacinto. . . .
  • The following appeared on 18 May 1897 in The Dallas Morning News: (Houston, May 14) The matter of purchasing the San Jacinto battlegrounds, to be included in a public park of 250 acres, to be bought by the state and for which $10,000 will be given, is interesting a number of patriotic Texasn at this time. The exact boundary lines of the park have not been established, hence it is not known what property or parts of property it will be necessary to purchase to meet the requirements, but there are several persons who own more or less land there from which the purchase will have to be made. The owners of land on the peninsula or projection including the battleground, as shown by the tax books of Collector Albert McKinney, are J. W. Campbell, 90 acres; H. L. Dow, 10; J. H. Tennant, a large acreage; H. A. Fuller, 9 acres; Ed Fuller, 10 acres; Jack Beasley, several acres. The assessments as made on these lands vary between $8 and $121 per acre, and when the committee visits the ground they will not have much trouble unless in locating the place where the fight actually took place.
  • Robert Daniel Goree and Frances Rebecca Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Knox County, Texas, near the Thomasson family.. Other members of the household included John Wesley Campbell, Ann Clark Goree, Edwin Sue Goree and Frances Langston Goree. Ann, Eddie Sue and Fannie also were enumerated in Austin.
  • John Wesley Campbell died on 8 December 1915 at age 86 in Austin, Travis County, Texas, at 1914 David Street at his residence. . His death was officially witnessed by Ann Clark Goree.
  • He was interred at the "State Cemetery," according to his death certificate, but not found in the online database.
  • Research Note: There apparently was a Campbell cemetery in La Porte. Needs Harris County deed research; property deeded by JWC for the San Jacinto battleground park.
  • Research Note: In Family Mosaic, Eddie Sue Goree, niece of John and Douglas Campbell paints a sorry picture of her uncles, but it is important to note that her knowledge and/or memory of her Campbell family was quite imperfect. For example, while there is hard evidence that Ann Campbell and sons Clark (and family), John, and Douglas settled in Montgomery County after leaving Louisiana in the mid-1850s, she states that "they settled at Clear Creek, near Galveston, and called their plantation 'Killiecrankie' after a place in Scotland."
  • Research Note: A source of information for the Williams &c families is Families of Dickerman Ancestry: Descendants of Thomas Dickerman, an Early Settler of Dorchester, Massachusetts (1897). Note, though, that comparison to available documentation reveals a number of errors.
  • Last Edited: 20 Mar 2016

Family: Sarah Louise Davis b. 26 April 1832, d. circa November 1873