From Mountain Man to Millionaire: The ""Bold and Dashing Life"" of Robert Campbell

by Nester, William R.

• ISBN13: 9780826212184
• ISBN10: 0826212182
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-05-01
• Publisher: Univ of Missouri Pr

Summary

Campbell came to America from Ireland in 1822 and entered the fur trade soon thereafter. He quickly rose from trapper to brigade leader to partner, all within a half dozen years. In the mid-1830s, Campbell retired from the mountains, having already amassed considerable wealth, and embarked on a new career. He returned to St. Louis and built up a business empire that embraced mercantile, steamboat, railroad, and banking interests. Through these ventures he not only gained more wealth but also became a leading force behind the development of the region's economy. Exploring the enormous treasure trove of letters, journals, and account books that Campbell left behind, William Nester places Campbell in the context of the times in which he lived, showing the economic, political, social, and cultural forces that helped shape his life. Nester describes Campbell's escapades as a fur trader, as well as his life as an entrepreneur. He tells of Campbell's deep and enduring friendships and his strong ties to his family, both in America and abroad. Although Campbell led a very successful life as a businessman and philanthropist, his personal life was marred by tragedy. Ten of his thirteen children died prematurely. Despite those painful misfortunes, he never lost his faith in God. He believed that all worldly successes should honor God and once wrote, "all worldly gain is but dross."

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	1	(3)
Old and New Worlds (1804-1825)	4	(9)
The Shining Mountains (1825-1829)	13	(37)
Worldly Triumphs (1829-1833)	50	(32)
Fort William (1833-1834)	82	(28)
A Home and Family of His Own (1835-1845)	110	(51)
Wealth, Power, and Tragedy (1846-1859)	161	(37)
Civil War (1860-1865)	198	(26)
New Directions (1865-1879)	224	(25)
Robert Campbell Family Lifespans	249	(2)
Bibliography	251	(16)
Index	267