Campbell, Amasa B., 1845-1912

Amasa B. Campbell’s estate was handled by the Spokane law firm of Wakefield and Witherspoon. Since it was quite sizeable and involved, it was administered by the law firm until Grace Campbell’s death in 1924.

From the guide to the Amasa B. Campbell Estate Papers, 1912-1925, (Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives)

Amasa B. Campbell left his native Ohio in 1867 to work for the Union Pacific Railroad. After its completion in 1869, he went to Utah and became involved in mining. In 1887 he came to Spokane Falls, entered into a partnership with John A. Finch, and began investing in the Coeur d'Alene mining district. Together they developed the Gem, Standard, and Hecla mines, all of which proved to be extremely profitable. Campbell and Finch opened and developed the Enterprise and Standard mines in the Slocan district of British Columbia in 1893. They were involved in nearly every successful mining venture in the Inland Empire. Campbell invested heavily in timber in the Grays Harbor district of western Washington. He was also involved in many Spokane business enterprises, including the Washington Water Power Company, Traders National Bank, Spokane and Eastern Trust Company, Spokane International Railway, and the Spokane Southern Traction Company. At the time of his death in 1912, Campbell was one of Spokane's millionaires whose wealth had resulted from wise investments in the Coeur d'Alene mining district.

From the guide to the Amasa B. Campbell Papers, 1905-1922, (Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives)