The Valley of Heart's Delight
BENJAMIN CAMPBELL
Founder of CAMPBELL, Santa Clara County, California
SURNAMES:
The subject of this sketch enjoys the distinction of being the first
permanent settler of Hamilton District. He was born in Muhlenburg
County, Kentucky, October 16, 1826. He is the son of William and Agnes Campbell,
who, in 1839, emigrated from Kentucky to Saline County, Missouri, and
in 1846 crossed the almost trackless Plains and pathless mountains to
California, settling in Santa Clara County. At the time of this removal
Mr. Campbell was just reaching manhood: consequently all his active
business life has been spent in this county. In many a pioneer
enterprise he was associated with his father, whose history appears in
this connection.
On their arrival they found the country in the turmoil which terminated
in its conquest, not by force of numbers, but by American valor. In
this war, and in the work of creating a new order of things, father and
son had a part. In the spring of 1851 Mr. Campbell purchased the site
of his present home, which is on Campbell Avenue, near Campbell
Station, in the Hamilton District. His original purchase was a
squatter's right. Other parties claiming it under Mexican grants,
litigation followed, which extended through a period of eighteen years.
Finally Mr. Campbell bought a quit-claim of the parties, and obtained
of the United States Government a patent of 160 acres, all but 52 acres
of which has been sold, at different times. This is yet owned by him,
or by members of his family.
Mr. Campbell is now largely interested in horticulture, having planted
twenty-five acres to trees during the present year. Both he and his
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They are
also members of the order of Patrons of Husbandry. In politics Mr.
Campbell is identified with the Democratic party. Campbell Station, on
the Southern Pacific Railway, was built on his land, and was followed
by the establishment of Campbell post-office,Mr. Campbell himself being
its Postmaster until recently.
A long life in Santa Clara County (having now passed the fourth
decade), and a worthy one, has won for Mr. and Mrs. Campbell the
respect, esteem, and confidence of all who know them.
SOURCE: Pen Pictures From The Garden
of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H.S.
Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. page 526-527 Transcribed by Roena Wilson
SANTA CLARA PIONEER FAMILIES
Santa Clara County- The Valley of Heart's Delight
July 19, 2005