William Campbell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chair of theRepublican National Committee | |
| In office June 29, 1892 – July 8, 1892 | |
| Preceded by | James S. Clarkson |
| Succeeded by | Thomas H. Carter |
| Lieutenant Governor of Illinois Acting | |
| In office February 6, 1883 – January 30, 1885 | |
| Governor | John Hamilton |
| Preceded by | John Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | John Smith |
| Member of theIllinois Senate from the 7th district | |
| In office 1878–1886 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Robinson |
| Succeeded by | John Humphrey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William James Campbell (1850-12-12)December 12, 1850 Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | March 4, 1896(1896-03-04) (aged 45) Riverside, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Lake Forest College University of Pennsylvania (BA) Northwestern University (LLB) |
William James Campbell (December 12, 1850 – March 4, 1896) was an American attorney and politician in Illinois. FromPennsylvania, he came with his parents to southernCook County, Illinois at a young age. Campbell attended public schools, then theUniversity of Pennsylvania and theUnion Law School. He co-founded Campbell & Custer, a prominent law firm that represented industries. He served in theIllinois Senate from 1878 to 1886, quickly rising to become its president. From 1883 to 1885, this made him actingLieutenant Governor of Illinois. After his Senate experience, he returned to his law firm and was a member of theRepublican National Committee.
William James Campbell was born on December 12, 1850, inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents, John and Mary, immigrated from northernIreland. When Campbell was a child, they moved toCook County, Illinois. He attended public school inBloom Township then matriculated atLake Forest University. later transferred to theUniversity of Pennsylvania, then was accepted at theUnion Law School inChicago, Illinois.[1] Campbell studied law underWilliam C. Goudy for two years, then was admitted to the bar. He practiced alone for two years, then formed the partnership of Campbell & Custer.[2]
Campbell was elected to theIllinois Senate and served four two-year terms from 1878 to 1886. He was namedpresident pro tempore in 1880, the first to hold the office, serving underJohn Marshall Hamilton. When Hamilton becameGovernor of Illinois in 1883, Campbell position made him theLieutenant Governor of Illinois. He returned to the Senate when Hamilton's term expired, continuing to serve as president pro tempore.[1] He became a close friend ofJohn Riley Tanner in the Senate and the two often collaborated on political projects.[2]
After his years in the senate, Campbell returned to Campbell & Custer in theRookery Building in Chicago. He represented several large industries there, includingArmour and Company. He joined theRepublican National Committee in 1891, succeedingGeorge R. Davis. He elected its chairman in 1892, but quickly resigned the office.[3] Campbell was a trustee of theArmour Institute of Technology and was a member of theChicago andUnion League Clubs.[1] He died inRiverside, Illinois on March 4, 1896, after an illness.[2]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Illinois Acting 1883–1885 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chair of theRepublican National Committee 1892 | Succeeded by |
