David W. Campbell

David W. Campbell, prominently connected with marine transportation interests, is now general agent in Canada for the Elder-Dempster Company in the South African and Mexican service. He was born in Montreal in 1861, a son of the late John and Sarah (Evans) Campbell, of this city. His youthful days were spent in his parents’ home and his education was completed in the Montreal high school. He comes of Scotch ancestry and in his career has manifested many of the sterling traits characteristic of the land of the heather. His initial step in business was made in the service of Thompson, Murray & Company, then managing agents of the Beaver line of steamships in Canada. Fidelity, industry and capability won him promotion from time to time and after twenty years’ continuous connection with the company he was appointed to the position of general manager in 1895. While acting in that capacity he was the first to establish a direct steamship service during the winter months to a Canadian port—that of St. John, New Brunswick. It was through his instrumentality that the vessels of the Beaver line were sold to the Elder-Dempster Company in 1898 and two years later, or in 1900, he became Canadian manager for the latter company. His efficiency in the field of steamship service management led to his selection, in 1903, for the position of general superintendent of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company’s Atlantic fleet of steamers at Montreal, in which position he remained until June, 1905, when he resigned in order to take control for Canada of the interests of the Elder-Dempster Company in connection with the South African and Mexican service. He subsequently became general agent in Canada for the same company, and his efforts have greatly furthered its interests. He readily recognizes the possibilities of a situation, utilizes the opportunities that are presented and accomplishes substantial and gratifying results. He is a director of several shipping companies and is on the board of the Montreal Sailors’ Institute and the Shipping Federation of Canada, all of which are more or less directly connected with the line of business in which he has so long been engaged. Moreover, he has done much to popularize the St. Lawrence route. He is serving on the executive committee of the Canadian Shipping Federation, and his long experience with maritime interests well qualifies him to speak authoritatively upon matters with which the federation deals.

Mr. Campbell has for some years been a member of the Montreal Board of Trade, in 1910 was elected one of its councillors and in 1914 a vice president. He is also Cuban consul at Montreal.

In November, 1900, Mr. Campbell married Miss Emily Maud Baird, a daughter of the late H. N. Baird of Toronto. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Campbell belongs to the St. James Club. He favors free trade with the Empire and has been a close student of many political situations and questions having to do with the welfare and progress of the Dominion. His opinions upon such questions are never lightly valued, for experience has developed in him sound judgment and keen discrimination.