My Genealogy Hound

DR. EDMOND ERNEST CAMPBELL, President of Irving College, an educator of Pennsylvania well known in many States of the Union, was born Jan. 21, 1859, at Waynesboro, Pa., son of Rev. John Francis Campbell, D. D., for many years prominent in the Lutheran ministry through Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. The grandfather of Dr. Campbell, Blackford Campbell, was born in Maryland, where English founders of the family settled in early days.

Rev. John Francis Campbell, D. D., was born in 1810 and died in 1893. He was survived by his widow, who resided at Capon Road, Va. She was formerly Martha Catherine Gatewood and was born at Newtown, Va. The nine children born to them were as follows: Lucy W., wife of Albert Ash, of Front Royal, Va.; Rev. W. G., of Woodstock. Va.; R. L., now on the old home farm at Capon Road, Va.; J. F., of Orleans Cross Roads, W. Va.; Eva, of Strasburg, Va.; Dr. Edmond Ernest, of this sketch; Emma and Annie E., both deceased; and James H., a merchant at Capon Road, Va. Mrs. Martha C. Campbell died Feb. 17, 1904.

Dr. Campbell was eight years of age when his parents relocated to the Shenandoah Valley, Va., his father, in 1867, being elected to the Lutheran Church at Strasburg, Va. This was very gratifying to his mother, as it took her back to her girlhood home. The youth early exhibited marked ability, and his education was carefully attended to, first in excellent private schools, and later at Roanoke College, Salem, Va., which he entered in 1875. In 1879 he was graduated at this noted institution with the degree of A. B., his father receiving the degree of D. D. from the same institution on the same day.

Dr. Campbell then began teaching, filling positions in graded and select schools continuously until 1882, when he was elected a member of the Faculty of the Hagerstown Female Seminary, filling the chair of Latin and Mental Science. The name of this educational institution has been changed to Kee Mar College. Dr. Campbell remained associated with it until 1888, when he was elected to a chair in the Staunton Female Seminary, Staunton, Va. In 1890 Dr. Campbell was called to become the principal of the educational department of Tressler Orphans’ Home, at Loysville, Pa., which was followed in July, 1891, by his election as president of Irving College.

Irving College was founded by the late Solomon P. Gorgas, who through life was liberal in his support of it. It was named in honor of Washington Irving, the father of American literature, who showed his appreciation of the honor by donating a complete set of his works and by serving as a trustee until his death. In 1856 Irving Hall was built; in 1893, since Dr. Campbell became president, Columbian Hall was erected, and in 1900 the beautiful Art Studio and Annex were completed. This does not include all the improvements which have taken place under the wise, careful and economical management of Dr. Campbell, additions having been made to the music and dining halls and general repairs on every hand which have added to the attractiveness of an institution which was originally located along beautiful surroundings. In the heart of the Cumberland Valley, it is easily accessible by means of the Cumberland Valley railroad or the Harrisburg and Mechanicsburg trolley. The College offers instruction in four departments, viz.: Collegiate, Music, Art and Elocution. Since Dr. Campbell has had charge the annual enrollment has been continually increasing and at present there are in attendance some 150 young ladies from ten different States of the Union.

That Dr. Campbell should have shown himself eminently fitted for the work in which he has met with such success is not so remarkable when we look back over an educated, scholarly ancestry. He is a direct descendant of Rev. John Campbell, D. D., who was distinguished during the early days of the settlement of the Cumberland Valley, as the inspirer of religious enthusiasm and the valued and beloved rector of the First Episcopal Churches at Carlisle and York. From his father, also, Dr. Campbell inherited mental qualities and sterling attributes which have, in a measure, contributed to his success.

Dr. Campbell was married (first) to Agnes Zufall, daughter of W. H. Zufall, of Meyersdale, Pa. She died Feb. 23, 1896, leaving four children, namely: Annie C., Emma N., Clara E. and William E.

On Dec. 21, 1897, Dr. Campbell was married (second) to Miss Grace Koser, daughter of Rev. D. T. Koser, of Arendtsville, Pa., and three children have been born to this union, Paul, Josephine and John Francis.

In politics Dr. Campbell has always been a consistent Democrat. He is a popular and esteemed citizen. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.