Biography of Robert Stewart Campbell: 3rd Mayor of Logan
Dates in Office: 1882-1885, Resigned September 2, 1885
Number of terms: 2
Age when elected: 28
Robert S. Campbell was born 6 November 1854 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Robert Lang Campbell and Mary Stewart. He married Rachel Elizabeth Ballif 16 October 1876 and they had eight children. Mr. Campbell died 5 September 1931 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Robert S. Campbell is mentioned in politics as early as 1872. He was eighteen years old when the following was recorded, "The House was called to order by Robert L. Campbell, Esq., Chief Clerk of the former House, who read a certified list of members-elect received from the Secretary. A quorum being present, he so announced, whereupon the members present were duly sworn as prescribed by law. After which the following officers of the House were duly elected: Orson Pratt, Speaker; Robert L. Campbell, Chief Clerk; John Henry Smith, Assistant Clerk; Milando Pratt, Sergeant-at-arms; Robert S. Campbell, Messenger; Rodney C. Badger, Foreman; Parley P. Pratt, Chaplain. Duly sworn." [1]
He married Rachel in 1876 and they moved to Logan, Utah where their first child, Robert Lionel Campbell, was born 2 July 1878.Between 1878 and 1888 four more children were born to them while living in Logan, Utah.Three more children were born to them in Salt Lake City, Utah.[2]
In 1885 Robert Campbell was in England on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.William F. Rigby's diary states, "I went to Daniel H. Wells' place and met President Wells, Brother George Osmond of Bear Lake, who was assistant editor of the Millennial Star, and Brother Robert Campbell of Logan who was bookkeeper at the mission office."[3]
Mr. Campbell left England with John Davidson Burt who mentioned him in his journal. "There was little time for exchanging compliments with our co-laborers in England, so after shaking hands with President Wells and the brethren and sisters in the office, Bro. Robert Campbell and myself boarded a tug in the harbor and steamed out to the noble and majestic Guion Finer, Alaska, which sailed out of the harbor in about an hour with we two and the Icelanders abound for America, this being the 10th of July, 1886."[4]
Mr. Campbell is listed in the Utah Directory of 1890 as working as an accountant at the Presiding Bishop's Office at 111 S First West in Salt Lake City.[5] In the biography of John Wells it states, "On Feb. 1st, 1890, he entered the office of the Presiding Bishopric as a general office helper, under the direction of Robert S. Campbell, then the chief clerk of that office. When Elder Campbell resigned this position, in the spring of 1898, John Wells was given charge as chief clerk." [6] Robert Campbell's father, Robert Lang Campbell had been a clerk in the Historian's office from 1854 until his death in 1872. He was also serving a chief clerk of the House of Representatives of the Utah Legislature in 1872[7].
Robert S. Campbell was a former mayor of Logan, a general manager of the old Utah Light & Power Company and a member of the staff of the Church Historian's Office. He was educated in the local schools and the University of Deseret, majoring in engineering subjects. At the age of 19 he went to Logan where he worked for the Utah Northern railroad as surveyor and telegraph operator and where he married Rachel Ballif in 1876. He served two terms as mayor of Logan and organized the Campbell & Morrell merchandising firm there from which he resigned in 1888 to fulfill a mission to Great Britain. Upon his return he was called to the presiding bishop's office to systematize the records and accounts. During the ownership of the Utah Power and Light Company by the Church, Mr. Campbell was manager, and in 1908 he was instrumental in negotiating the sale of the company to the E.H. Harriman railroad interests.
Mr. Campbell took an active part in the social life of the community, being one of the founders and charter members of the Commercial Club, now the Chamber of Commerce, and an early member of the Alta Club.
He was secretary of the state senate in 1906 and was called on a second mission by the Church in 1915, this time to the southern states. Following his return from this mission he became associated with the historian's office.[8]
[1] Our Pioneer Heritage (Salt Lake City : Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, 1958) 16:30
[2] Family Group Record, (Family Search Ancestral File v4.19)
[3] Our Pioneer Heritage (Salt Lake City : Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, 1958) 4:267
[4] An enduring Legacy (Salt Lake City : Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, 1978) 3:289
[5] Utah Directory, 1890: Salt Lake City, Logan, and Provo (Ancestry Library Edition)
[6] Andrew Jenson, ed., Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, (Salt Lake City, Publishing Press, 1971) 3:792
[7]Andrew Jenson, ed., Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, (Salt Lake City, Publishing Press, 1971) 3:613-614
[8] Obituary, Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Utah September 7, 1931
