Charles H. Campbell (1827 - 1895)
Born at Amherst (NH); died at Nashua (NH).
Teacher, farmer, salesman, auctioneer, local and state legislator.
Portrait by A. Tenney, 1873.
Presented to the State by Mr. Campbell, 1873.

Campbell (1827 - 1895) was born at Amherst (NH). He attended Amherst schools until sixteen years of age (1843), when he began teaching local school for the Winter term and working for his father on the family farm the rest of the year.

By his late twenties Campbell had served Amherst in a number of town positions, including Selectman and (for nine years) Town Moderator. In the latter position Campbell became well known locally. He served in the State House of Representatives (1856 - 1858, 1863 - 1864), and in 1864 was named Chairman of the House Committee on Finance. The Committee was charged with preparing a report on how to "Provide for funding the State debt." As Chairman, Campbell became known throughout the state, for every community faced financial hardships after the Civil War.

Campbell had over the years become familiar with land sales and cattle auctions. In 1866 he sold his Amherst farm and moved with his family to Nashua (NH). There he established the first real estate firm in that community. The venture was a success, and by 1885 Campbell's business had grown to cover land sales throughout New England, as well as in many western states. According to the 1885 History of Hillsborough County, Campbell's land sales often exceeded $200,000/month, in an era of no taxes.

Campbell was elected to the State Senate (served 1871 - 1872). He was President of the Senate in 1872. In 1883 he served as a State Representative. He died at Nashua.

References: Daniel F. Secomb, History of the Town of Amherst...(1883); _____________, "Hon. Charles F. Campbell", in D. Hamilton Hurd, ed. History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire (1885).