Benjamin S. Campbell (July 27, 1858 – March 19, 1942) was an attorney and a mayor of Houston, Texas.

Early life

Benjamin S. Campbell was born on July 27, 1858, to Farquhar and Gabriella Singleton Campbell in Marengo County, Alabama. He moved with his family to

Walker County, Texas Walker County is a county located in the east-central section of the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 76,400. Its county seat is Huntsville. Initially, Walker County was named for Robert J. Walker, a legislato ...

, around 1859.

Career

Campbell did not attend law school, but served as a legal apprentice in the law offices of Abercrombie & Randolph, a firm based in

Huntsville, Texas Huntsville is a city in and the county seat of Walker County, Texas, United States. Its population was 45,941 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. It is the center of the Huntsville United States micropolitan area, micropolitan area ...

. The Texas bar accepted him in 1882. He worked for local government, first as the Walker County Attorney and then as prosecutor for the Twelfth Judicial District of Texas. In 1890, he partnered with Thomas Ball to form a new law firm. Campbell moved to Houston in 1883 and became a partner in the firm of Hutcheson, Campbell & Sears. In 1911, he was the senior partner with the firm Campbell, Myer and Myer. Campbell advocated for the establishment of city parks including

Hermann Park Hermann Park is a urban park in Houston, Texas, situated at the southern end of the Houston Museum District, Museum District. The park is located to the immediate north end of the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Texas Medical Center and Brays Ba ...

. He implemented reforms for city employees, including limiting hours of work. During his administration, Houston provided free textbooks for school children starting in 1913. Campbell was mayor of Houston when the deepwater

Port of Houston The Port of Houston is one of the world's largest ports and serves the metropolitan area of Houston, Houston, Texas. The port is a complex of diversified public and private facilities located a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. Loc ...

opened on November 10, 1914. Ceremonies took place at the Turning Basin, where lame duck Governor

Oscar Colquitt Oscar Branch Colquitt (December 16, 1861 – March 8, 1940) was an American politician who served as the 25th governor of Texas from January 17, 1911, to January 19, 1915. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Colquitt defended the act ...

and other Texas dignitaries watched the mayor's daughter christen the newly dredged channel with rose petals.

Personal life

Campbell married Ella Smither on December 5, 1883. They had four sons and two daughters: Benjamin, Farquhar, Ella Campbell Myer, Robert, Wilbourn, and Sue Campbell Pillot. Campbell was active in religious and fraternal organizations. He was a member of Holland Lodge Masons (No. 1), the Arabian Temple (Scottish Rite), the Knights Templar, and the Shriners' Temple. He was engaged with the First Methodist Church in Houston.

Death

Campbell died in Houston on March 19, 1942. He is buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

Notes

References

Bibliography

{{DEFAULTSORT:Campbell, Ben (Houston mayor) 1858 births 1942 deaths Burials at Glenwood Cemetery (Houston, Texas) Lawyers from Houston Mayors of Houston