Obituaries Australia

Daniel Campbell, by T. F. Chuck, 1872

Museum of Victoria, 49205275

Another old colonist has passed away from our midst Mr. Daniel Stodart Campbell, we regret to state, died yesterday morning at his residence in Vaucluse, Richmond. For some weeks past he has been in failing health, and the nature of his malady–heart disease–precluded any hope of his recovery. Mr. D. S. Campbell, who was in his 63rd year, was the son of the Rev. Mr. Campell and was born at Camberwell, near London, in the year 1812. He came out to Sydney in 1838, and very shortly afterwards travelled overland to Melbourne, where he settled down in business. He entered into partnership with Mr. Hogue as a general merchant, but the partnership was not of long continuance, and he then joined Mr Alfred Woolley. The firm suffered with many others in the common crisis of 1843, and was forced to suspend operations. Mr Campbell afterwards commenced business as a wine and spirit merchant, and adhered to that occupation to the last. In his commercial pursuits he experienced many vicissitudes, but through his career he retained the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. At one time he was a wealthy man, and owned all the land upon which Vaucluse is now built, but he met with many reverses. Mr Campbell was returned as a member for Richmond in October, 1856, in the first Parliament elected under the new Constitution Act. There were four candidates at that time–Dr Evans, Mr Campbell, Mr Hull, and Mr. Philip Johnson, and the two former were returned. Mr. Campbell did not take a prominent position in the Legislative Assembly, and did not again offer himself at the next general election in August 1859. He was succeeded by Mr. J. Francis, whom he proposed at the nomination, and to whom he gave all his support. In social life Mr Campbell had a large circle of friends. He was an enthusiastic supporter of cricket, and was regarded as the father of cricket in this colony. He was at one time the president of the Melbourne Cricket Club and always evinced an active interest in its welfare. Mr. Campbell leaves a widow, but no family.