Memorable Manitobans: David Campbell (1870-1932)

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David Campbell
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Lawyer, municipal official.

Born in Middlesex County, Ontario in 1870, early in life he worked as a railroad telegrapher and served as Secretary of the Canadian Order of Railroad Telegraphers and Third Vice-President of the American Order of Railroad Telegraphers. He traveled extensively in Canada and the United States as part of his job, during which he began the study of law. All of his legal studies and university work were carried out aboard railway trains.

After graduation from Queen’s University (Kingston) and Osgoode Hall (Toronto) in 1910, he came to Winnipeg and began a law practice with his son Oscar Campbell, specializing in labour law. He was later made a King’s Counsel. He was Mayor of St. Boniface from 1931 to 1932. For a few months near the end of his life, he served as leader for those provincial Liberals who refused to join the Progressives and was a candidate in the 1932 general election.

While on holiday in Saskatchewan, he became seriously ill and, after a two-month period of declining health, died at Regina on 25 August 1932. His body was returned to Winnipeg for burial in the Elmwood Cemetery.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Buena Vista Apartments (40 St. Mary's Road, Winnipeg)

Sources:

“David Campbell, Cathedral City Mayor, is dead,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 August 1932.

“George C. MacLean may be new Mayor for St. Boniface,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 August 1932.

We thank Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 15 December 2023

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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