OBIT: James "Jimmy" S. CAMPBELL, 1941, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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JAMES S. CAMPBELL

Death Beckons Officer "Jimmy"
Veteran Meyersdale Policeman Answers Call to Eternal Peace

  A peace officer in Meyersdale for twenty-seven years, James S. Campbell, at 
the age of 69 years and 5 days, surrendered his badge to go where peace reigns 
supreme.  Officer Campbell died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Clapper on 
North Street, at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 1941.
  Mr. Campbell had been confined to his home with his daughter, Mrs. Clapper, 
since the first of January when threatened with pneumonia.  Illness due to a 
cold and grippe aggravated a heart condition from which he never recovered.
  James S. Campbell was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, February 10, 1872.  He was 
the son of William and Martha (Bruce) Campbell and was united in marriage with 
Miss Jane Ferguson before coming to America.  This union was blessed with three 
children before leaving Scotland and two more while in this country.
  After emigrating to the United States forty years ago, Mr. Campbell, for a 
time, was employed as a coal miner at Scranton, Pa.  About a year later the 
Campbells moved to the Meyersdale community where they have been valued citizens 
ever since.
  Mr. Campbell followed coal mining until 1914, when he was employed as a 
borough policeman, the position he held until the time of his death.
  During the 39 years Mr. Campbell has been a resident of Meyersdale, he made 
many friends here, and throughout Western Pennsylvania and Maryland, through his 
affiliations with volunteer fire departments in this area.
  As an officer of the peace he was highly respected by young and old.  In this 
capacity he deemed it his duty to keep persons out of jail rather than establish 
a record for making arrests.  His gruff voice did not reveal the tenderness in 
his heart, but was an asset in warning would be violators of what to expect if 
they failed to heed his threats.
  He was known as "Jimmy" to his host of friends, and was a favorite of the boys 
and girls of the town, although he chastised them in a commanding tone of voice 
when he caught them endangering their well-being by playing in the path of 
passing motorists.
  Jimmy Campbell was surrounded by friends wherever he went, and there was a 
steady stream of visitors to his home, especially on New Year's eve.  There is 
scarcely a person in Meyersdale who has not enjoyed the genial hospitality of 
"The Scotchman" at one of his New Year's eve parties.
  He was devoted to the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department of which he has 
been a member for many years, and has served as president for a number of terms.  
Wherever you met a volunteer fireman, in Western Pennsylvania or in Maryland, he 
knew Meyersdale's jolly Scotch policeman.
  Mrs. Campbell preceded her husband to the grave.  She died October 11, 1938.  
She too, was possessed with that kindly sociable disposition that made the 
Campbell home a popular rendezvous for both adults and children.
  Their eldest son, William, went to France during the World War with Co. C 110 
Regiment, and never returned.  His resting place in Flanders Field was never 
definitely established. 
  The four other children survive to mourn the loss of a kind, affectionate 
father.  They are Mary, wife of Irvin Clapper, with whom he made his home since 
losing his devoted wife; James, of Bethlehem, Pa.; Martha, wife of James 
Tressler, Jenners; and Janet, wife of Eugene Barnhart, Acosta.
  Mr. Campbell is also survived by two brothers, Louis of Seattle, Wash., and 
William, in Scotland; and nine grandchildren.
  Funeral services for James S. Campbell were conducted at the Clapper home 
Monday afternoon at 2:30, by Rev. Nelson C. Brown, pastor of Amity Reformed 
Church.  Members of the Meyersdale Fire Department served as pallbearers and 
about thirty firemen escorted the remains to the family plot in Union Cemetery.  
Funeral arrangements were in charge of W. C. Price & Son, local morticians.

Meyersdale Republican, February 20, 1941