Background
Robert Campbell was born on February 12, 1804 in Aughlane, County Tyrone, Ireland. Nothing is known of his youth.
Robert Campbell was born on February 12, 1804 in Aughlane, County Tyrone, Ireland. Nothing is known of his youth.
Campbell came to America probably in 1824, and he seems to have gone at once to St. Louis. On October 30, 1825, suffering from lung trouble and advised to try the mountains for a cure, he set out with Ashley's second overland expedition. His health improved and he engaged actively in trapping, soon becoming a leader and commanding various parties organized by Ashley's successors. In close association with Fitzpatrick, Smith, Bridger, the Sublettes and other noted trappers, his operations during the first seven years covered nearly the whole of the northern region.
In the battle with the Blackfeet in Pierre's Hole, July 18, 1832, made famous by Irving and others, he bore a conspicuously gallant part, incidentally saving the life of his companion, W. L. Sublette. On December 20 he became a partner with Sublette in an effort to contest the hold of the American Fur Company on the upper Missouri, but at the end of the following year, after a succession of disasters, the partners decided to confine themselves to the mountain trade. In the fall of 1835 Campbell retired from the mountains and made his home in St. Louis. The firm of Sublette & Campbell, after maintaining for seven or eight years the only serious opposition encountered during that time by the American Fur Company, was dissolved on January 12, 1842. Campbell engaged in extensive real estate dealings, established a large dry-goods store, and at a later time became the proprietor of the Southern Hotel and the president of both the Bank of the State of Missouri and the Merchants' National Bank.
All his affairs prospered, and he amassed great wealth. Though never a candidate for office, he took an active part in public affairs. In 1846, as a member of Gov. Edwards's staff, with the rank of colonel, he distinguished himself by his indefatigable efforts toward equipping and drilling the mounted volunteers for the Mexican War. In 1851, by appointment of President Fillmore, he was one of the commissioners in the great Indian conference held near Fort Laramie, and in 1869, by appointment of President Grant, he again served as an Indian commissioner.
To the end he maintained a lively interest in the scenes wherein he had spent his young manhood, and in 1868 he paid a final visit to the region, giving a reception at Fort Laramie to his old friends and acquaintances. In his later years he suffered greatly from a bronchial affection. In the summer of 1879 he journeyed to Saratoga and the Atlantic seashore, but returned in September hopeless of relief.
Robert Campbell was a generous man, and his benefactions, though secret, are believed to have been many and large. Though he was somewhat distant and difficult of approach, his friendships were strong and enduring. He was greatly attached to Bridger, befriending him in various ways and undertaking the care of his children - one of whom, Virginia, lived for two years in his home. He was honest, and in an era wherein the fierce competition of rivals prompted the basest accusations against one another, his reputation seems to have escaped reproach.
Robert Campbell was married to Virginia Campbell. They had thirteen children, of whom only three survived to adulthood.
