James A. Campbell

Infobox Person
name = James A. Campbell


image_size = 210px
birth_date = birth date|1854|9|11|mf=y
birth_place = Ohltown, Ohio
death_date = death date and age|1933|9|20|1854|9|11|mf=y
death_place = Youngstown, Ohio
known_for = Youngstown Sheet and Tube
occupation = Industrialist

James A. Campbell (September 11, 1854 – September 20, 1933) 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.cite news
title = Death Ends J. A. Campbell's Career; Sudden Attack Is Fatal to Sheet & Tube's Builder
work = The Youngstown Vindicator
page = 1
date = September 21, 1933] Campbell served as director of the American Iron and Steel Institute during World War I. [Fuechtmann (1989), p. 12.]

Early years

Born in the village of Ohltown, Ohio, 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 1800s, Campbell settled permanently in Youngstown, Ohio, where he organized and managed the Youngstown Ice Company. He later became associated with the Trumbull Iron Company.

Industrial career

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. [Fuechtmann (1989), p. 13.]

As director of the American Iron and Steel Institute during World War I, Campbell was responsible for the allocation of steel tubular products. [Fuechtmann (1989), p. 12] 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.cite news
title = Troops Quell Riots in East Youngstown
work = The New York Times
page = 7
date = January 9, 1916]

Final years

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.cite news
title = Death Takes L. J. Campbell; Long Illness Ends Fatally for Son of Late S. & T. Founder
work = The Youngstown Vindicator
page = 17
date = January 7, 1935] 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.cite news
title = Bethlehem Merger Great Blow of Last Years
work = The Youngstown Daily Vindicator
date = September 21, 1933] 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.cite news
title = Bethlehem Cancels Youngstown Deal; Grace Announces $970,000,000 Merger Is Unfeasible
work = The New York Times
date = October 18, 1931] Opponents of the merger were backed financially by Cyrus S. Eaton, founder of Republic Steel, who feared the implications of a strengthened Bethlehem Steel. [Fuechtmann (1989), p. 14.]

James Campbell died on the evening of September 20, 1933, of an apparent stroke.cite news
title = James A. Campbell, Steel Leader, Dies
work = The New York Times
page = 19
date = September 21, 1933] 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.cite news
title = Dalton, Grace Laud Campbell
work = The Associated Press
date = September 21, 1933]

Notes

References

* Fuechtmann, Thomas G. (1989). "Steeples and Stacks: Religion and Steel Crisis in Youngstown". New York: Cambridge University Press.