Thomas Henry Campbell, commissioner of education, parks and health and city treasurer of Jackson, was born here on the 8th of December, 1874, a son of William T. and Elizabeth (Williams) Campbell. The paternal grandfather, William Hill Campbell, came to Tennessee in the early '20s and was one of the prominent men of this state in his day. William T. Campbell received his education in the public schools of Jackson and after putting his textbooks aside learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1861. He then put all personal interests aside and enlisted in the Confederate army, serving for four years under General Forrest's command. At the close of the war he engaged in contracting and he constructed some of the first buildings in Jackson. He likewise worked on the New Orleans and Memphis Cotton Exchanges for a time. He achieved gratifying success in every undertaking and his demise on the 8th of March, 1913, came as a severe blow to his family and many friends. Mrs. Campbell died when Thomas Henry was a small child. Throughout his life the father gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and he maintained an active interest in all party affairs. The religious faith of himself and wife was that of the Baptist church, in which he was deacon for many years.

In the acquirement of his education Thomas Henry Campbell attended the public schools of Jackson and as soon as he became old enough he secured a newspaper route. Subsequently he learned the printer's trade and followed that line of work for some three years. He was eager for more education, however, and in 1887 he enrolled in the Southwestern Baptist University, now Union University, from which institution he was graduated in 1890. From 1896 to 1900 he was engaged in the restaurant business at Jackson and he then became an employe of the Illinois Central Railroad, working in the freight department of the Water Valley Mississippi division. In 1906 he became a conductor on the road and was active in that connection until 1919, when he tendered his resignation. In that year, while serving as deputy trustee of Madison county, he was elected commissioner of education, parks and health and he is likewise city treasurer. Aside from his duties as a public servant, Mr. Campbell is a director of the Security National Bank and of the Alexander Furniture and Undertaking Company.

On the 2d of October, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Campbell to Miss Allie Florence Exum, a daughter of Martin Van Buren Exum, whose demise occurred in Madison county in 1918. He was known as the watchdog of Madison county and served in the county court many years. He was secretary of the building committee that in 1890 remodeled the courthouse. He was one of the real builders of Madison county and as a stanch democrat was active in the public life of the state. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church and he was deacon and a leader of the Pleasant Plains Baptist church for years. Since attaining his majority Mr. Campbell has given his political allegiance to the democratic party and he is ever cognizant of the duties and responsibilities as well as the privileges of good citizenship. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Knights of Pythias and the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan and he is very prominent in union labor circles, being secretary and treasurer of Jackson Division, No. 149, Order of Railway Conductors; secretary and treasurer of the Jackson County Operators Association, an organization including all labor unions in this town; and president of the Riverside Cemetery Association. He is very active in religious work, being treasurer, deacon and Sunday school superintendent of the Baptist church and he is identified with all organizations that have for their purpose the promotion of the general welfare. Mr. Campbell is responsible for the Zoo in Lancaster Park. He wields a great influence for good in this community, and no man stands higher for integrity and sterling worth. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man and he well merits the respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellowmen.

Tennessee the Volunteer State 1769 - 1923 Volume 4