James Moulton Campbell was born in Princeton, Kentucky on October 24, 1849 to Samuel Cregg Campbell and Louisa Howard. James attended local schools until his family migrated to Williamson County in 1865 where they established residence in East Marion Township. His siblings were Samuel F., James, William H., America and Martha.
By the 1870 federal census the family was all present in the county except for James’ sibling America who had passed.
On April 20, 1873, James married Mary Louise Eubanks and by the 1880 federal census they had two sons, Lloyd C. and William. The couple would go on to have one more daughter and son. The census records James’ occupation as office clerk.
Starting in October 1871 he started selling goods for himself. He became associated in business with his brother William H. and his first store was started in 1898. Their business was located on the East side of the square at 1103 Public Square, roughly where the south side of City Hall is now located in 2023. In 1906 the brothers advertised groceries and shoes, etc. and at that time James was living at 601 N. Vicksburg St. The brothers operated their business until the death of William H. on Nov. 10, 1919 after which James retired and disposed of the store.
James served as Marion City alderman in the years 1879 through 1882, all under the Mayoral administration of Leroy A. Goddard.
Around 1908, James and his wife purchased a home at 305 N. Mechanic Street. After his retirement in 1919 and his brother’s death, James worked as a clerk for Otis W. Williams in Marion who operated an undertaker parlor and furniture store on N. Market St. In 1923 he sold his home and moved to 622 E. Main St. and re-entered business by opening a small grocery store on East Main Street.
James was a devout member of the First Methodist Church on W. Main Street and rarely missed a service. He served as treasurer of Sunday School for 42 years and was the oldest Sunday School teacher in the church. On November 7, 1923, James was walking to church and when crossing W. Main Street next to the Public Square was hit by a car driven by B.O. Jones. He passed away at his home from complications of his injuries on November 15, 1923.
James was a member of the Masonic Order and served three years on the Board of Education. His body laid in state at the home of his son Lloyd C. Campbell at 206 S. Market St., funeral services were held at the First Methodist Church and burial was at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Surviving James were his son Lloyd C. Campbell, of the First National Bank, Mrs. W.A. Gore of Webster Grove, Mo. One daughter, Julia Campbell Graham and a son, William, preceded him in death. James was survived by an older brother Samuel F. Campbell, living 5 miles south of Marion and two sisters, Mrs. J.H. McInturff of Clinton, Kansas and Mrs. H.P. Shackleford of Marion, RFD 4.
Mary L. Eubanks Campbell, was born near Marion on December 21, 1851 to Mr. & Mrs. William Eubanks. She grew up in Marion and had her education here. After marrying James M. they had four children, Lloyd C. Campbell and Hortense Campbell Gore, a baby died in infancy and a son William Harris preceded his parents in 1906. Mary L. was living in Webster Grove, Mo. at the time of her death on April 6, 1927. She was returned to Marion and laid in state at her son Lloyd’s home at 206 S. Market St. until her funeral. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery.
(Sources: Marion Evening Post, Federal Census Records, Street Directories. Compiled by Sam Lattuca 7/28/2023)