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Annals of
Polk County, Iowa, and City of Des Moines C Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton. Dr. James Campbell is one of the earliest settlers now living in Des Moines, having made this his home for fifty years. He was born in Ohio, July 11, 1815, and emigrated to Iowa in 1829, first settling in Van Buren County. He came to Polk County in march, 1846. Shortly after his arrival here he met Robert A. Kinsie, the government sutler, who was desirous of disposing of his stock of goods as the last of the troops were then preparing to leave the post, and his occupation here would cease. Mr. Campbell purchased his stock and opened a general store near the corner of Third and Vine streets, east of the present Rock Island railroad depot. In one of the first issues of the Iowa Star, published in 1849, we find the following advertisement: "James Campbell, retail dealer in dry goods, groceries and provisions, Fort Des Moines, Iowa. Keeps constantly on hand a general assortment of dry goods, such as sheetings, fancy prints, cassimeres, jeans, alpaca cloths, satinettes and tweeds, etc. Also groceries, such as coffee, sugar, molasses, cotton yarn, salt, whisky, iron nails, peach brandy, cognac brandy, port, Malaga and Madeira wines, gin, rum and Pittsburg ale. Also hardware, queensware, boots, shoes, hats and caps. Also the attention of farmers is called to my assortment of groceries and liquors, which will always be full and cheaper than the cheapest, as I am determined to make it an object for the farmers to deal with me. Give me a chance." Dr. Campbell remained in business for a number of years, was at one time a large owner of town and county real estate, was interested in several additions to the original town, and one of the early enterprising citizens. Having had much trouble with his own eyes he devoted much time and study to the cure of such diseases, and for the past twenty years has devoted the most of his time to curing diseases of the eyes and other organs. He has been very successful in this, having operated in Iowa and adjoining States. Though now eighty years of age, during the past few years he has traveled extensively west and south, and in the Pacific States, and is yet an active man. His father, also one of the early settlers, died a few years since, having reached a full century of life. His brothers, Nathaniel, Ruin, Thomas, have also been or are now well known citizens of the county. Among the prominent citizens of Des Moines for the past forty years has been Chester C. Cole. As a lawyer, Judge, politician and citizen he has always occupied a high rank in the community, and he is well known to the people of the city, county and state. Judge Cole was born in Oxford , Chennago County , New York , June 4, 1824 , and is the son of Samuel and Alce ( Pullman ) Cole, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Rhode island . His ancestors came from England at a very early day. Chester C. was reared in the county of his birth, and educated in the public schools, and in Oxford Academy , but was not of robust health while a boy. He lived on a farm with his mother until thirteen years of age, and was clerk in a store in the town until eighteen, when he again entered school and pursued his studies with ardor and success. After completing a thorough course in the Harvard Law School at Cambridge , Massachusetts , he was admitted to the Bar in August, 1848. He first entered regularly upon the practice of his profession in Marion , Crittenden County , Kentucky , and displayed much ability and was successful. In 1857 he sought a wider field, and after looking around, chose Des Moines as his home, and here he has remained. His ability, quickness and unfailing courtesy caused him at once to take a leading position in his profession, and this rank he has maintained for forty years. Except while on the Supreme bench he has been in the continuous practice of his profession, supplemented by work in law schools and editing and writing for legal publications. Only two years after his arrival in Des Moines Judge Cole was nominated as a candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court by the Democratic state convention, and though defeated, made many friends throughout the state during the canvass. The next year he was nominated as a candidate for Congress by the Democrats of this district, then embracing the Southern one-half of the State. His opponent was General Samuel R. Curtis. The Judge made a brilliant canvass, successfully meeting his opponent in many joint discussions, often twice in a day for some seventy days. And this, too, was at a time when there were only a few miles of railroad in the State. General Curtis was a man of ability, a great leader of his party, but he suffered when he came in contact with his opponent, whose ability, quickness and readiness of resources were more than a match for the more slow and somewhat heavy General. The latter was elected, but the honor of the noted canvass almost altogether fell to Judge Cole. The Judge was what was then termed a "Douglas Democrat," was a strong Union man, and gave freely of his time and money to raise troops, etc. In recognition of this, in 1864, Governor Stone appointed him one of the Justices of the Supreme Court. The people of the State heartily endorsed this by twice electing him to the same position. As a judge he was noted for his perfect freedom from bias, quick comprehension, and thorough knowledge of law. His opinions are models of brevity, clearness, vigor and sound law, and cause him to rank with the most able of Iowa Judges. Some time after his second election Judge Cole resigned this high office, and voluntarily returned to the practice. Upon his retirement from the bench, Judge Cole entered upon an extended and lucrative practice, largely in the federal courts, which he continued alone for several years. He then formed a partnership, the firm being known as Cole, McVey & Clark, afterwards Mr. Cheshire took Mr. Clarke's place in the firm, which continued to do an extensive practice down to the period of Judge Cole's retirement from the firm and active practice. In 1892 he was chosen Dean of the Iowa College of Law, a Department of Drake University, a position which he now holds. On June 25, 1848 , Judge Cole was married to Miss Amanda M. Bennett, a daughter of Egbert and Gertrude (Richtmyer) Bennett. They have had seven children, four sons and three daughters: Calvin S. died in early childhood; William Watson grew to manhood, married Frances Josephine Chapin, by whom he had three children, two of them now living. In 1888 he removed to Portland , Oregon , where he engaged in the lumber business. He died there November 17, 1894 . Gertrude Alice, the wife A. C. Atherton, of Lewiston , Illinois , where he is Superintendent of a railroad, and they have three children, Mary E. married D. C. McMartin, then a lawyer in Des Moines , and they had four children. Her husband died August 10, 1895 . Chester C. died in infancy. Frank B. married Ella Jenkins, have two children, and reside in Havana , Illinois , where Frank is engaged in railroading. Carrie Stone, the third daughter, is the wife of J. R. Hurlbut, head of the large drug house of Hurlburt & McArthur. They have one child. Judge Cole and his wife have been for many years members of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been for years an Elder. He has been a Mason since 1849, and has also been a Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. Their home has been for years one of the most open and hospitable in the city, and though their children are now somewhat scattered their elegant home in the western part of the city gives a hearty welcome to their many friends. Judge Cole himself is always busy with his law school, his clients and friends, keeps a close watch upon and notes everything in the political world, and is always ready to work for the advancement and for what he thinks will be for the best interests of his fellow citizens and the people at large.
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