Edgar C. Campbell Sr.
Edgar Campbell | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Philadelphia Democratic Party | |
| Acting March 10, 1983 – April 14, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | David Glancey |
| Succeeded by | Joseph F. Smith |
| Member of the Philadelphia City Council At-Large | |
| In office January 1, 1968 – January 5, 1976 | |
| Succeeded by | Earl Vann |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edgar Cuthbert Campbell November 11, 1902 Savannah, Georgia, United States |
| Died | September 30, 1987 (aged 84) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Party |
|
| Spouse |
Pearl B. Williams
(m. 1925; died 1974) |
| Children |
|
Edgar Cuthbert Campbell Sr. (November 11, 1902 – September 30, 1987) was an American politician and civil servant in the city of Philadelphia, who served as a member of the city council from 1968 to 1976 and was, at the time of his death, labeled by many as the "dean" of the city's black political leaders. A native of Savannah, Georgia, he moved with his family to Philadelphia around 1920 and soon became involved in local politics. Like the majority of African American voters in that era, he was initially loyal to Republican Party, but he soon switched allegiances and became a Democrat. He worked his way up the party apparatus, culminating in a 1983 stint as acting chair of the city's Democratic committee.
Early life and family
Childhood and move to Philadelphia
Campbell was born on November 11, 1902, in Savannah, Georgia, his parents' only child.[1] His father, the foreman at a sawmill, lost half of his arm to a workplace accident, and later operated a grocery store.[2]
He attended First African Baptist Church with his mother.[3]
Marriage
In 1923, Campbell met Pearl B. Williams, when the two were members of a wedding party together. Williams, the daughter of a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Campbell married in 1925.[2] She died on September 3, 1974. The couple had two children, who both went on to be active in city politics: Carol Ann and Edgar Jr. (known as "Sonny").
Political career
Campbell served as an aide to Philadelphia City Council President George X. Schwartz and as a Democratic committeeman in the Fourth Ward, eventually becoming its ward leader.[2]
In 1968, Campbell was elected to his first public office at age 65 as an At-Large member of the Philadelphia City Council.[2] After losing the primary for re-election in 1975,[4] Mayor Frank Rizzo agreed to let him run for Clerk of Quarter Sessions Court as a replacement for the primary winner who had since died,[5][6] winning this post in the general election.[7] He was re-elected in 1979 and 1983 to this office.[2]
Later life and death
References
- ↑ Campbell, Edgar C. (July 11, 1983). "Edgar Campbell's First Interview" (Interview). Interviewed by Charles Hardy. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History (published 2016).
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Infield, Tom (October 1, 1987). "Edgar C. Campbell Sr. dies at 84". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Vol. 317, no. 93. pp. 1A, 11A.
- ↑ Campbell, Edgar C. (September 26, 1984). "Edgar Campbell's Second Interview". Goin' North: Tales of the Great Migration (Interview). Interviewed by Charles Hardy. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History (published 2016). Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ↑ Mondesire, Jerome (May 22, 1975). "Black Voters Stayed at Home Tuesday". Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 4-A – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ Mondesire, Jerome (November 2, 1975). "Election Could Give Rizzo Total Control". Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 6-A – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ Stalberg, Zachary (September 22, 1975). "Campbell Quits Council, Seeks Court Post". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 5 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ Mondesire, Jerome (December 3, 1975). "Sparks Fly in Black Ward Drive". Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 2-B – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Edgar C. Campbell Sr". The New York Times. Vol. 137, no. 47281 (Late ed.) (published October 3, 1987). Associated Press. October 2, 1987. p. 33. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ↑ Johnson, Tyree (October 1, 1987). "Edgar C. Campbell dies at 84". Philadelphia Daily News. Vol. 63, no. 155. pp. 3, 26.