Obituary.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XVIX, Issue 939, 24 July 1923, Page 3

Obituary.

MRS ROBERT CAMPBELL. With the death of Mrs lioberi Campbell at her residence, Mail street, another of the' fast diminish ing band of original settlers m the township is removed. Mrs Campbell was a distinct personality, wijih. very clear and decided views, often expressed to her intimate friends with vividness, and evidencing an intellectual grasp of subjects of a wide and diversified nature. Born near Londonderry, Ireland, she had been a _ resident of New Zealand for 58 years, having landed m the Colony at the latter end of 1864. Of an independent nature, and with very 'marked capabilities as a ■woman of business, she led an active life. In the stirring days of the gold rush to the Otago goldfields she. kept a store at Macetown, then a busy centre of mining activity, where she met Mr Campbell, then a miner m that district, and they were married m Queenstown. In 1876, or .47 years ago. Mr Campbell built a store m Main street, Otautau, and which was opened m November of t/hat year. This was at first managed by Mrs Campbell, while her husband worked a farm he then owned at Wreys Bush. Few residents can claim a tenure of 47 years m this township, and many who may rightly be considered old residents fall far short of that record. Mr Campbell's store was also the post-oflice, and was really the central rallying point for the entire district. Not only for trading purposes was it the centre, but the ability of its proprietors, both Mr and Mrs Campbell, as keen intellectual students of current politics and history, made it a favourite resort for the discussion of all matters of import m themid-Yjc-torian period. Mrs Campbell was one of the historical figures of the township, the oldest continuous woman resident. Her gracious manner, keen intellectual alertness with her great knowledge of the early history of the community made her a most entertaining personality with whom it was a great pleasure to become associated. On retiring from business 20 years ago, Mr and Mrs Campbell continued to reside m Otautau, and afteri Mr Campbell's death on 27th July, 1911, Mrs and Miss Campbell still occupied the house, where Mrs Campbell passed peacefully away yesterday morning. Associated with the Otautau Presbyterian Church, of which she was one of the foundation members, she was a generous supporter, and, up till a few years ago, a most' regular attender at the services; Latterly, failing health prevented her from getting but. Mrs Campbell is survived by her daughter and her brother, Mr John Jenkins, of Crown Terrace, Arrowtovra. The funeral is to take place tomorrow to the Old Otautau Cemetery. The deepest sympathy is extended to Miss Campbell m her bereavement.