G. W. CAMPBELL, undertaker, Xenia, was born in West Virginia August 18, 1847, and is the son of George and Letitia (Wilcox) Campbell. Our subject's opportunities for an education in early life were very limited. It is since he reached manhood that he has obtained a good business education by being his own teacher. His has been a life which but few experience. In 1861, he left home, and tried to join the Federal army, but on account of his youth was not accepted till in 1862, when he was sworn into the service of his country to fight against father and nearest relatives, who had followed the fortunes of their old State, Virginia, and were officers in its army. Our subject served till the close of the war, and was mustered out with his company, Company F, First Virginia United States Volunteer Infantry. During his service, he was in thirty-three battles, and received two shots and a saber cut, and was also prisoner at Belle Island for three months. He belonged to Dick Blacer's body of scouts, till all but twelve out of 110 men had been killed, when they returned to their regiment. The last year of the service, he was in the command of Gen. Phil Sheridan. During his service, he was at the capture of his father, and was allowed to offer him his freedom, only requiring the oath of allegiance, which his father refused to take, so was sent to Rock Island, Ill., and died there. In 1866, or early in 1867, our subject came to Xenia, and began learning the carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed in the capacity of contractor and builder till 1881, when he gave up the building, and has since given his attention to the undertaking business. He carries a complete stock of everything required in his line - coffins, caskets, robes, etc. His business house is 22x36 feet, two stories high. Besides this, he also has a neat residence, and a farm of 120 acres near Xenia. September 6, 1874, he was married in Xenia to Miss Addle Morris, daughter of B. S. and Jane (Smith) Morris. He by trade is a carpenter, and is engaged on the building of the O. & M. depot at Springfield, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have one son, Willie Walter, born September 26, 1875. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Lodges A., F. & A. M. and I.O.O.F. of Xenia, Ill. In politics, he is Democratic, but takes no part in political life.
Source: 1884 History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois, Part IV, pages 159-160.
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