[p. 856] of the general contracting firm of Campbell & Young, at New Castle, has been a resident of this city for twenty-nine years and has taken an active part in its different lines of development. He was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1860, and is a son of J. J. V. Campbell.
The late J. J. V. Campbell was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1837, and died at New Castle, in 1899. For many years he was engaged in a contracting business in this city. His father, Alexander Campbell, came to America from Scotland and was a pioneer settler in what is now Lawrence County. On March 8, 1818, he married Miss Cornelia A. Covert, who was a daughter of Garret Covert and Ellen (Black) Covert. These are all old names in the county. On August 29, 1859, Joseph J. V. Campbell married Mary Morrow, and they had eight children, as follows: Willis L.; Thomas A., born in 1861, residing at Volant, Lawrence County; Addison A., born in 1864, residing at Morgantown, Virginia; Laura Belle, wife of Joseph K. Knoll, residing on a farm in Lawrence County; Joseph H.; Sarah Emma, and Cornelia, both deceased; and Newton L., born in 1871, residing at New Castle, is a member of the fire department of this city.
From the age of fourteen years to nineteen, when he came to New Castle, Willis L. Campbell lived in Armstrong County, and from 1880 to 1886, he worked in the rolling mills. Since then he has been engaged at work at his trade of carpenter, and since the spring of 1887, has been engaged in contracting, and for the past four years has been associated with James S. Young, under the firm style of Campbell & Young. This competent firm has done a great amount of important building in New Castle, among the most important, perhaps, are the following structures: Terrace Avenue School Building; Croton Avenue and Oak Street School Building; the Reformed Presbyterian Church; the Euwers Block on Neshannock Avenue; the Odd Fellows Building on the same street; the beautiful chapel in Graceland Cemetery, and many others. Mr. Campbell is a substantial citizen, owning a large amount of valuable city realty consisting of houses and lots.
Mr. Campbell was married in September, 1899, to Miss Harriet E. Dinsmore, who was born and reared at New Castle and is a daughter of Watson N. Dinsmore. They have three children: Joseph Watson, Lena May and James Newton.
Politically, Mr. Campbell is a stanch Republican and has served on the city council through some of its most important sessions. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Lodge No. 195 and to Lawrence Encampment, No. 85. He is also prominent in his craft and for the past four years has served as president of the Builders' League.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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