Campbell Co. processed tobacco for the export market. Their factory was on Green Street in the western part of Louisville. The major markets for their tobacco were the French and British colonies of West Africa and the West Indies and South America, with Haiti being their largest market. John Hunt and Co. of Great Britain and the Compagnie Francaise de l'Afrique Occidental of France were the two largest customers for Campbell Co. tobacco. They would purchase the tobacco and send it to the colonies of West Africa. The amount of sales made to the native people depended upon the amount of money the native people were getting for their goods such as palm oil and cocoa. As a result, Campbell Co. followed the economic conditions of West Africa closely. Campbell Co. survived the hard times of two World Wars, the 1937 flood and the Great Depression with some difficulty. In the time span covered by the minute books, the company changed presidents three times but always remained in the control of the Campbell family.
From the description of Campbell Co. minute books, 1914-1947. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 285379603
