Biography of William Wilson Campbell, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 19 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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In "Mister Will", for thirty years President and now Chairman of the Board of
the National Bank of Eastern Arkansas (NBEA), the people of Forrest City and St.
Francis County have an almost legendary figure in United States banking. Born in
1889 on the family farm nine miles north of Forrest City on Crowley's Ridge, the
same place as where his mother was born. A graduate of the old Crowley Ridge
Institute, Mr. Campbell furthered his education at the University of Arkansas
and later at the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he
specialized in Business and Banking. He returned to become Assistant Bookkeeper
at Fussell-Graham-Alderson Co. for six months, and when a vacancy occurred at
the NBEA. His father's friend, Capt. James Fussell, President of NBEA, who gave
him his first position in banking, which was to become his life's work. He
eventually became President in 1923 when Capt. Fussell died. On Dec. 14, 1916,
he married Miss Victoria Mann, daughter of W. B. and Pearl (Parham) Mann,
prominent in business and farming in Lee County. To this union has been born two
children, William Mann Campbell, now President of NBEA, and a daughter. Mr.
Campbell is the son of Silas Calvin and Jessie (Griggs) Campbell. They had three
children, William W. and the late J. Tom Campbell, respected Sect. /Treas. of
The Service Company, and a daughter, Annie A., beloved County Clerk of St.
Francis County. Silas Campbell, who died Feb. 25, 1935, was one of the most
honorable men who ever lived in this county. Mrs. Jessie Campbell, being 89
years, is probably the oldest surviving pioneer women in the county. The article
goes on with him many accomplishments to date! He was known as the "Arkansas
Farmer of the Year, 1949, " and the "Man of the Year in Service to Arkansas
Agriculture in 1951. In June 1949, the University of Arkansas at it's 75th
annual commencement exercises awarded an honorary Doctor of Law Degree. He
brought even more nationwide recognition to his bank and his hometown when he
was featured in the Nov. 1947, issue of The Reader's Digest and then exactly one
year later in the Fortune Magazine as the most representative of the nation's
"Country Bankers. " PICTURE ON 56FORREST CITY LIBRARY:BOARD MEMBERS IN 1954:Mr.
W. W. CampbellWilliam W. Campbell succeeded his kind benefactor, Capt. J. W.
Fussell, as President of the National Bank of Eastern Arkansas in 1923. He
served as Assistant Bookkeeper until 1911, when he became Assistant Cashier; a
Director in 1911; Cashier in 1920; and President in 1923. He faithfully filled
this position from this time to Jan. 13, 1954, at which time he was elevated to
the newly-created position of Chairman of The Board, and he continues active as
Chief Executive Officer of the bank. He was gratified to be succeeded in the
Presidency by his son, William Mann Campbell.


SOURCE:
HISTORY of ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, 1954 - Robert W. Chowning

Copyright, with Permission: Weston McCollum Lewey, Publisher
-Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas