James A. Campbell
Encyclopedia
James Anson Campbell was an American
business leader known for his role as chairman of Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, one of the largest regional steel-production firms in the United States
. Campbell served as director of the American Iron and Steel Institute
during World War I
.
, Campbell suffered from tuberculosis
as a child and was predicted to die at a young age. He recovered his health, however, and later excelled at sports such as baseball and boxing. As a young man, Campbell enrolled at Hiram College
, where he studied business.
His early employment included stints as a hardware salesman and furniture store manager. In the late 19th century, Campbell settled permanently in Youngstown, Ohio
, where he organized and managed the Youngstown Ice Company. He later became associated with the Trumbull Iron Company.
Campbell became superintendent of the Mahoning Valley
Iron Company in 1895 but resigned five years later, when the firm was absorbed by Republic Steel Company
. In 1900, Youngstown industrialist George D. Wick
appointed Campbell as secretary of what became the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company. In 1902, Campbell rose to the position of vice president, and in 1904, he became president of the company.
Campbell led the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company through a tumultuous period of labor strife that included the East Youngstown riot of 1916, a nationally reported incident that required the intervention of the National Guard
.
East Youngstown was officially renamed as Campbell
in 1922. This gesture, while intended to honor James Campbell, reflected the community's desire to distance itself from the infamous riot.
As director of the American Iron and Steel Institute during World War I, Campbell was responsible for the allocation of steel tubular products. He later received the emblem of the French Legion of Honor for his wartime service. After the war, Campbell led Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company through the Steel Strike of 1919
.
Campbell's last years were marred by tragedy and disappointment. During World War I, the industrialist's only son, Louis J. Campbell, contracted a progressive disease while fighting in the trenches
of France
. The degenerative condition, which resulted in the amputation of Louis Campbell's right leg, forced the younger man to take frequent breaks from his position as treasurer of the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company. Ultimately, Louis Campbell survived his father by less than two years.
Meanwhile, James Campbell was frustrated in his efforts to create what might have been the nation's second largest steel corporation. In 1931, he attempted to merge the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company with Bethlehem Steel
, a move that was bitterly, and successfully, opposed by other local industrialists. Opponents of the merger were backed financially by Cyrus S. Eaton
, founder of Republic Steel, who feared the implications of a strengthened Bethlehem Steel.
James Campbell died on the evening of September 20, 1933, of an apparent stroke. Funeral services were held at his sprawling mansion in Liberty, Ohio. Those who praised Campbell's achievements included Eugene Grace
, president of Bethlehem Steel Company. "In the death of Mr. Campbell, the steel industry loses one of its outstanding personages", Grace said.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
business leader known for his role as chairman of Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, one of the largest regional steel-production firms in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Campbell served as director of the American Iron and Steel Institute
American Iron and Steel Institute
The American Iron and Steel Institute is an association of North American steel producers. Its predecessor organizations date back to 1855 making it one of the oldest trade associations in the United States. AISI assumed its present form in 1908, with Elbert H...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Early years
Born in the village of Ohltown, OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Campbell suffered from tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
as a child and was predicted to die at a young age. He recovered his health, however, and later excelled at sports such as baseball and boxing. As a young man, Campbell enrolled at Hiram College
Hiram College
Hiram College is a private liberal arts college located in Hiram, Ohio. Founded by Amos Sutton Hayden of the Disciples of Christ Church in 1850, the institution has, since its first days, been nonsectarian and coeducational, and throughout its existence Hiram College has sustained this egalitarian...
, where he studied business.
His early employment included stints as a hardware salesman and furniture store manager. In the late 19th century, Campbell settled permanently in Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, where he organized and managed the Youngstown Ice Company. He later became associated with the Trumbull Iron Company.
Industrial career
Mahoning Valley
The Mahoning Valley is a geographic valley encompassing the area of northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania that drains into the Mahoning River. The Mahoning River empties into the Beaver River, which empties into the Ohio River. The Mahoning River flows through Lawrence and Mercer counties in...
Iron Company in 1895 but resigned five years later, when the firm was absorbed by Republic Steel Company
Republic Steel
Republic Steel was once the third largest steel producer in the United States.The Republic Iron and Steel Company was founded in Youngstown, Ohio in 1899....
. In 1900, Youngstown industrialist George D. Wick
George D. Wick
Colonel George Dennick Wick was an American industrialist who served as founding president of the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, one of the nation's largest regional steel-manufacturing firms...
appointed Campbell as secretary of what became the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company. In 1902, Campbell rose to the position of vice president, and in 1904, he became president of the company.
Campbell led the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company through a tumultuous period of labor strife that included the East Youngstown riot of 1916, a nationally reported incident that required the intervention of the National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
.
East Youngstown was officially renamed as Campbell
Campbell, Ohio
Campbell is a city in Mahoning County, Ohio, United States. The population was 8,235 at the 2010 census. Residents generally pronounce the city's name as "camel" , with a silent "PB". Campbell is served by a branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County...
in 1922. This gesture, while intended to honor James Campbell, reflected the community's desire to distance itself from the infamous riot.
As director of the American Iron and Steel Institute during World War I, Campbell was responsible for the allocation of steel tubular products. He later received the emblem of the French Legion of Honor for his wartime service. After the war, Campbell led Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company through the Steel Strike of 1919
Steel strike of 1919
The Steel Strike of 1919 was an attempt by the weakened Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers to organize the United States steel industry in the wake of World War I. The strike began on September 22, 1919, and collapsed on January 8, 1920.The AA had formed in 1876. It was a...
.
Final years
Trench warfare
Trench warfare is a form of occupied fighting lines, consisting largely of trenches, in which troops are largely immune to the enemy's small arms fire and are substantially sheltered from artillery...
of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The degenerative condition, which resulted in the amputation of Louis Campbell's right leg, forced the younger man to take frequent breaks from his position as treasurer of the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company. Ultimately, Louis Campbell survived his father by less than two years.
Meanwhile, James Campbell was frustrated in his efforts to create what might have been the nation's second largest steel corporation. In 1931, he attempted to merge the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company with Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation , based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States, after Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel. After a decline in the U.S...
, a move that was bitterly, and successfully, opposed by other local industrialists. Opponents of the merger were backed financially by Cyrus S. Eaton
Cyrus S. Eaton
Cyrus Stephen Eaton was a Canadian-born investment banker, businessman and philanthropist in the United States, with a career that spanned seventy years....
, founder of Republic Steel, who feared the implications of a strengthened Bethlehem Steel.
James Campbell died on the evening of September 20, 1933, of an apparent stroke. Funeral services were held at his sprawling mansion in Liberty, Ohio. Those who praised Campbell's achievements included Eugene Grace
Eugene Grace
Eugene Gifford Grace was the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation from 1916 to 1945, and chairman of the board from 1945 until his retirement in 1957...
, president of Bethlehem Steel Company. "In the death of Mr. Campbell, the steel industry loses one of its outstanding personages", Grace said.