Biography of Alexander D. Campbell, Washington Co., FL

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Transcribed from:  The History of Florida:  Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. 
III, page 365, 1923.

CAMPBELL, Hon.  ALEXANDER D.  A man of versatile abilities, Hon. ALEXANDER D. CAMPBELL, 
railroad commissioner of Florida, is one of the leading citizens of Washington County, 
where he has large and important business and financial interests, and for the past fourteen 
years has been president of the First National Bank of Graceville, Jackson County.  He 
was born September 10, 1868, in Walton County, Florida, and is a son of JOHN L. and 
CHRISTIAN (DOUGLASS) CAMPBELL.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. CAMPBELL, DANIEL and NANCY CAMPBELL, the former a native 
of Scotland and the latter of the State of South Carolina, where they were married, came 
to Florida about 1835, and here spent the rest of their lives.  JOHN L. CAMPBELL, their 
son, was born in Florida, and lead an active and successful career, in which he devoted 
himself to merchandising, farming and the raising of livestock.  He also served as sheriff 
of Walton County, and during the war between the states was tax collector at Eucheeana.  
He was a man of ability, energy and resource, and one who was held in high esteem by the 
people of his community.  He married CHRISTIAN (sic) DOUGLASS, daughter of ANGUS and MARY 
(McLEAN) DOUGLASS.

ALEXANDER D. CAMPBELL acquired a public school education in Walton County, and left school 
at the age of sixteen years to apply himself to the task of learning telegraphy.  When he 
was eighteen years of age he was telegrapher and station agent for the Louisville & 
Nashville Railroad, and during the next twelve years remained in the service of that 
company, being located at various points along their lines.  In 1898 Mr. CAMPBELL embarked 
in the mercantile business on his own account at Chipley, and gave his entire attention 
to this enterprise until 1901, in which year, with his father-in-law, ELIJAH N. DEKLE, 
and the latter's son-in-law, W. O. BUTLER, he organized a private bank at Chipley, at 
the same time incorporating his mercantile business as the Campbell & Dekle Company.  
The banking concern was known as Dekle & Company until 1905, when the same stockholders 
organized the National Bank of Chipley, which absorbed the bank of Dekle & Company, and 
of this institution Mr. CAMPBELL is still a member of the Board of Directors, ELIJAH N. 
DEKLE being president.  At this time Mr. CAMPBELL disposed of his mercantile interests 
and engaged in the manufacture and sale of fertilizer.  In 1906 he became the organizer 
of the First National Bank of Graceville, Jackson County, of which he has been president 
for the past fourteen years, his son, ALEXANDER D., Jr., being cashier.

Mr. CAMPBELL served on the Board of County Commissioners for five years.  In 1908 he was 
appointed receiver for the B. C. and St. A. Railroad, which was in an unfinished condition 
and the affairs of which were in bad shape.  Mr. CAMPBELL completed the construction of 
this road, which he connected with the Sale Davis Company road, which was built eighteen 
miles north from Southpost, and took over the latter road.  The property is now in good 
condition and is being operated at a profit.  In November, 1921, he resigned the receivership 
of this road to accept the appointment by the governor as railroad commissioner for the 
State of Florida, and at the primary election of June, 1922, was nominated by his party 
to succeed himself in that office.  He has the full confidence of his fellow-citizens and 
is known as a man of integrity, reliability and substantiality.

On November 13, 1890, at Chipley. Mr. CAMPBELL was united in marriage with Miss LULA O. 
DEKLE, daughter of ELIJAH N. and FANNIE C. (DANIEL) DEKLE, natives of Florida and still 
living.  Mr. DEKLE is president of the First National Bank of Chipley and also largely 
interested in the mercantile business.  Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. CAMPBELL:  
FLORA C., who married Dr. S. R. MITCHELL, of Chipley, proprietor of the Mitchell Drug 
Company; ALEXANDER D., Jr., cashier of the First National Bank of Graceville, and an 
overseas veteran of the World war, who married MYRTLE STAPLETON, of Jackson County; 
JOHN NEEL, engaged in the furniture business at Chipley, who married MILDRED FARRIOR 
and has two children, JOHN NEEL Jr., and MARY DOUGLASS; MARION, who is the wife of C. A. 
ROUNDTREE, court reporter for the circuit including Chipley; and FRANCIS DANIEL, who is 
unmarried and resides with his parents.  Mr. CAMPBELL is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, in which he is an elder.