Hugh Alexander Campbell (1829 - 1917)

Born 18 Nov 1829 in Tobermory, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Christina (McLean) Campbell — married 18 Jun 1867 in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia

Descendants

Died 30 Jul 1917 at age 87 in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Pat McCallum [send private message]

Biography

Hugh was born about 1828. He passed away in 1917. He is buried in the Ipswich General Cemetery, Queensland.^[1]

Bushrangers

The Late Mr. F. E. Bigge. A PIONEER OF WEST MORETON. ONE OF THE ORIGINATORS OF "BIGGE'S CAMP." NOW KNOWN AS GRANDCHESTER. NINETY-SIX YEARS OF AGE. Full particulars of the death of probably the last of the original pioneers of West Moreton---- particularly of the Mount Brisbane district---- is now to hand (writes "Red Gum").

The Lon-don "Times" of December 6 says; "The death has taken place at Torquay of Mr. Francis Edward Bigge, who be-longed to the old Northumberland family, of which Lord Stamfordham is a member, in his 96th year of age. He was the youngest son of the late Mr. Thomas Hanway Bigge, of Little Ben-ton, Northumberland, and was born in July, 1820. He was probably one of the oldest officers of the Royal Navy. Educated at the Royal Naval College. Portsmouth, he was appointed as a midshipmen to the H.M.S. Barham (a 50-gun frigate) in 1835, and served a commission in her in the Mediterranean for some four years.

In 1839 he left the Navy, and, voyaging to Australia, joined his elder brother (the late Mr. Frederick F. Bigge), who had settled in New South Wales. The trip from Lon-don to Port Jackson occupied five months. Subsequent to his arrival on the New South Wales side the two brothers decided to follow in the foot-steps of the Messrs. Leslie Brothers--the pioneers of Darling Downs--and try their fortune in the Moreton Bay dis-trict, and they eventually "squatted" in the Mount Brisbane district, their headquarters having been termed "Bigge's Camp". In 1857, he married Elizabeth Barbara, the daughter of the Rev. Thomas Charles Old, rector of Galby, Leicestershire, who predeceased him in January, 1914. Mr. F. E. Bigge was, from 1860 to 1870, a member of the Legislative Council of Queensland, and also a J.P. He re-turned to England in 1870.

During the early forties--1842 about --the brothers F. F. And F. E. Bigge came overland to the Moreton Bay side. and some 73 years ago the late Mr. Donald Campbell--father of Mr. Hugh Campbell--became acquainted with the Messrs. Bigge, as they camped alongside his "smithy", then situated on the Toowoomba side of the One-Mile Creek (there was no bridge in those far-off times). It was about this period --in 1842-- that Mr. Francis F. Bigge had an encount-er with a notorious gang of bushrangers, styled "Wilson's Gang". This occurred in the Moombye country, New South Wales territory, while travelling with cattle from there to Mount Brisbane. This episode was re-produced in the novel, "Robbery Un-der Arms," but Mr. Hugh Campbell who knew the members of the gang, states that Mr. Bigge was never wounded, although he stood his ground very determindedly. One of the bushrangers, Tom Forrester, nick-name-ed "Long Tom"--desired to shoot Mr. Bigge, but the leader would not allow him, owing to the person attacked be-having so bravely in the face of odds. The members of the gang were subsequently hanged; but, "en passant" I heard both the late Mr. Henry Coxen (of Oxley) and Mr. Hugh Campbell speak about this particular gang of bushrangers, as most of the men were employed by Mr. Coxen's uncle, the late Mr. S. Coxen, on Dartwood Station, in the Maitland district, Mr. Hugh Campbell said that "Tom" Forrester had saved his (Mr. Campbell's) life, through preventing him picking up an adder, which he thought was part of a stock-whip, and which was near the anvil in his father's (the late Mr. Donald Campbell's) blacksmith shop, Maitland. As has already been stated in the columns of the "Queensland Times," the late Mr. F. E. Bigge was one of the most popular sportsmen in the fifties and the sixties, during the life of the old North Australian Jockey Club and it was at "Bigge's Camp," that the first section of 21 miles of the Southern and Western railway was completed, from Ipswich, in 1864.^[2]

Oldest Resident in West Moreton

Old Identities. Mr Hugh Campbell, Sen APPROACHING HIS 85TH BIRTHDAY. SEVENTY-SIX YEARS IN AUSTRALIA SEVENTY-TWO YEARS' RESIDENCE IN IPSWICH. THE OLDEST RESIDENT IN WEST MORETON. VETERAN TURF IDENTITY IN THIS STATE. Seventy-two years' continuous residence in the heart of what is now the city of Ipswich is the record of Mr. Hugh Campbell, sen. This area was in a very wild state when the late Mr. Donald Campbell, accompanied by his family, arrived, in 1842, at the Limestone settlement, which was then only a sheep run. Mr. Hugh Campbell was born in Tobormory, Scotland, on the 18th of November, 1829, his mother having died when he was very young. His father, Mr. Donald Campbell, subsequently emigrated from Scotland to New South Wales, arriving at Port Jackson (Sydney) in the year 1838, the subject of this sketch being then in his ninth year. There were three other members of the Campbell family —a sister (Miss Campbell) and two brothers (Lachlan and John). On their arrival at Sydney Mr. Donald Campbell, who was a blacksmith, found things so unsettled that he decided to accept an engagement to go to Dartbrook Station, on the Severn River which was one of the farthest north rivers within the border of New South Wales. He was employed by a Mr. Coxen (uncle of the veteran Mr. Coxen, now residing at Oxley), for whom he worked for 12 months. Mr. Campbell then started business as a blacksmith on his own account at Scone, but, owing to bad seasons (flour being £100 per ton), he removed to Tamworth, where he remained nearly two years. It was while at Tamworth that Mr. Donald Campbell heard of the news of the discovery of splendid pastoral land on the famous Darling Downs by the Leslie Brothers —Patrick, George, and Walter—and he then made up his mind to remove to Moreton Bay, his thoughts having been turned in that direction by the presence at his establishment of the Leslies themselves, who engaged Mr. Donald Campbell to repair their bullock and horse drays previous to settling down at the junction of Sandy Creek and the Condamine River, in the Moreton Bay district, thus opening up the Darling Downs. Eventually he (Mr. Donald Campbell) left Tamworth, the Leslies having prevailed upon him to do so, and journeyed to Sydney, ultimately leaving Port Jackson for Moreton Bay in a little vessel called the Nancy, having as fellow passengers the late Mr. and Mrs. William Patrick and family, who were under engagement to the Messrs. Bigges, of Mount Brisbane, and who subsequently settled down in the Tarampa district, Mr. Dan Patrick being an infant at the time. The departure of Mr. Donald Campell from Sydney was subsequent to the proclamation over the date of the 10th of February, 1842, declaring the whole of the Moreton Bay district (now Queensland) open for free settlement. Mr. Hugh Campbell states that their vessel passed the steamer Shamrock going into Sydney Harbour conveying Sir George Gipps, Governor of New South Wales on his return from an official visit to the respective Government settlements in Moreton Bay—Brisbane, Redbank, and Limestone—the date of which vice-regal inspection is stated to have been on the 24th of March, 1842. It is further said that it was during this visit that Sir George Gipps gave his instructions that the name of "Limestone" should be changed to that of "Ipswich." Dealing with the goings of Mr. Donald Campbell, particularly after his arrival at Brisbane, he and his family were brought from South Brisbane to what is now the city of Ipswich in bullock-drays, the property of the late Mr. Hugh Ross, who owned Greenmount, on the Downs, and who was, while on the Tamworth side, an intimate friend of Mr Donald Campbell. On reaching Ipswich, Mr. Donald Campbell first settled down at West Ipswich, on a site opposite the present pound-yard. Mr. Hugh Campbell was then about 12 years of age, and his sister (subsequently Mrs. William Horton, of Drayton) was the third white woman who had come here. To the late Mrs. George Thorn, sen., belongs the honour of having been the first European woman to cross Limestone Hill, and Mrs. Thorn's sister (Miss Fanny Handcock) was the second. Mr. George Thorn, sen., had been in entire charge of the Government settlement, and he was always regarded as the "father of Ipswich." Mr. Hugh Campbell was quite old enough to remember a "social function" which took place alongside the drays, which formed their first "camp" at the One-Mile, where the Scotch pioneers of this district—Messrs. John Cameron, Coulson, J. Rankin, and Hugh Ross— congregated, and welcomed Mr. Donald Campbell and family, the " bill-of-fare" comprising spirits and potatoes which had been brought over from Sydney by Mr. H. Campbell's father. A jolly evening was passed, under the blazing light of the camp fires. The only building in what is now Ipswich was the residence of the superintendent of the Limestone settlement (the late Mr. George Thorn, sen.), on the site just below "Claremont," in Thorn-street, not a great distance from the original lime-kilns erected there in the early penal days of Moreton Bay, and their situation would be just about the spot where the Ipswich-Brisbane railway-line crosses Milford-street. There was a large wooden shed erected on what was then called "Ploughed Station" — since then more popularly known as the Old (Grange) Race-course, and Mr. Hugh Campbell states that the site of the long shed referred to was quite close to the residence of Mr. J. W. Nolan. Wheat and maize were cultivated there 72 years ago, and it was at this station that the Government cattle were quartered. One of the shepherds who had care of the flocks of sheep in the the centre of Ipswich in the days when it was "Limestone" was the late Mr. Benedictum Vanzeur (or, as he was generally called, "Old Van Zo"), for many years a resident of Brassall. He was a coloured man from the Mauritius, but he was a fine old fellow - peace to his soul ! The aboriginal blacks were very numerous about Ipswich when Mr. Hugh Campbell was a lad, and he states that he can remember fully 1000 of them camping on the other side of the One-Mile on the property now owned by Messrs. Samuel Watson and Sons. Mr. Donald Campbell did not remain any great length of time at the One-Mile. He removed to a site close to the limekilns above referred to. It is said that, in conjunction with his Government position, Mr. George Thorn was also allowed to conduct a general store at his place of residence. When the stations at Redbank and at what is now the Old Racecourse were abolished, those employed at these centres settled down at Ipswich, the pioneering of the Darling Downs and the country below the Main Range likewise materially assisting to swell its population. Communication between the Downs and Brisbane was first opened up, via Cunningham's Gap, but this proved a most difficult and dangerous route, and as it was necessary to carry the wool shorn from the sheep to Sydney, via Brisbane, a much better one was formed over the Range near what was subsequently called Drayton ("The Springs"). The squatters of those days, having overcome

Picture of MR. HUGH CAMPBELL.

the difficulty of getting to and returning from Ipswich, then turned their attention to making a road from Ipswich to South Brisbane, this route having had to pass through an almost impenetrable scrub of gigantic trees interlaced with enormous vines. This having been accomplished, and a fairly good track made, communication between South Brisbane, via Ipswich, was established, and two steamers, the Sovereign and the Tamar, became regular traders between Brisbane and Sydney. Regarding Mr. Donald Campbell, however, he subsequently removed from the limekilns to a site on the Toowoomba road side of the One-Mile (there was no bridge erected then), on the eastern side of the thoroughfare named, close by the large waterhole. Here Mr. Donald Campbell established a blacksmithy and wheelwright business. The crossing over the One-Mile Creek was a little to the west of the present structure, and there are still to be seen traces of the old log crossing. It is about 70 years since Mr. Donald Campbell located himself there, and this site became in time a most animated centre. A coloured man—called "Black Neale" —appeared on the scene, and just about this period the late Mr. William Vowles, coming overland via Cunning-ham's Gap, made himself known to the Campbell family, and he frequently spoke, years afterwards, of the kindness extended to him by Mr. Donald Campbell. "Black" Neale started building operations (this work having been undertaken by Mr Vowles, who was assisted by the late Mr. James Josey, who had previously been engaged at the Redbank settlement) on the Toowoomba side of the One-Mile, with the view of opening an hotel. His desire in that particular direction never materialised, although, at a later period, the building material was removed into the centre of Ipswich, then Crown Land—and re-erected by Mr. William Vowles on the site of the present Caledonian Hotel, and was actually the first building raised in the heart of this city. Mr. Donald Campbell subsequently removed from the Toowoomba-road sidle of the One Mile to a site near the business premises of Miss S. Smith, in West Ipswich, and at a later period again removed to a site near Mr. E. Cole's sale-yards. Finally he settled down, after purchasing the property at one of the early land sales during the forties, on the corner of East and Limestone stone Streets, now adorned by the Building Society's large building, where, in 1857, Mr. Donald Campbell died. Dealing with Mr. Hugh Campbell, he states that he has never during his long residence in Ipswich been absent from it more than a couple of days at one time. Shortly after his father's settling down at Ipswich, in 1842, the parents of the late Mr. Thomas Moore (of Messrs. Moore and Canty) came over from New South Wales, making Ipswich their home. The senior Mr. Thomas Moore was also a blacksmith. Mr. Campbell says that the first doctor to practise in Ipswich was the late Dr. Wm. M'Taggart Dorsey, who started in a bark humpy near the pound-yards, West Ipswich. This was while the Campbells, too, resided in that quarter. He remembers distinctly meeting at his father's shop, on the opposite side of the One-Mile, the late Mr. Ludwig Leichhardt,^[3] who left Brisbane on the 1st of September, 1844, on an exploring expedition to Port Essington, in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This was Leichhardt's first expedition. No trace of the explorer has been found since he started on his expedition in 1848, four years subsequent to Mr. Campbell's seeing him. Mr. Campbell recollects when Dr. Simpson, who was Commissioner of Crown Lands for the whole of the district below the Range, resided at Wolston, near Woogaroo, this being the headquarters of the border mounted troops : the late Mr. Richard Watson, father of the Messrs. Sam., R., and J. Watson, having been a member of that troop, and, says Mr. Hugh Campbell, "a fine looking man he was, too, in uniform." The late Mr. Geo. Thorn was the first man to open a public (or accommodation) house in Ipswich, at the corner of East and Brisbane Streets, now the property of the Queensland National Bank. This was called the Queen's Arms Hotel, and was built by Messrs. T. Boyland and Reid, the architect being the late Mr. A. Petrie, sen. The second hotel—although the building was the first erected in Ipswich, as stated above by Mr. W. Vowles— was that of "Black Neale's," called the Red Cow, in Bell-street. By-the-way, the first lock-up established in Ipswich, was erected in Wharf-street, on a site near the implement factory of the late Mr. John Fraser, and the name of the constable in charge was Mr. H. Foley, a publican subsequently. "And mentioning the name of Fraser,' remarked Mr. Campbell, 'reminds me that the Mr. Fraser who discovered what is now known as Fraser's Island, on the north coast, was a teamster on the Downs, and he and his wife camped on several occasions near my father's shop, on the Toowoomba-road." Shortly after the opening of the two hotels mentioned above, Mr. John ("Schemer") Smith came on the scene—residing first on the property where Gordon's White Arcade and Martoo's business establishments now are, and, secondly, in Bell-street, on the site of the Tivoli picture theatre. Here Mr. John Smith opened a general store and a boarding-house, Mrs. Smith dispensing bread (baked in a camp oven) at 6d per loaf. The population comprised at this time about 100 all told. A. Scotsman named Munro also kept a school (the first established here) under the same roof. "Bell-street," thinks Mr. Campbell, 'was named alter a well-known carpenter, George Bell, who assisted Mr. W. Vowles and Mr. James Josey in the erection of the Red Cow Hotel." (To be continued.)^[4]

Oldest Smithy

THE OLDEST "SMITH" IN THE STATE CLOSED DOWN. "Red Gum" writes :-Another old landmark will be missing after to-day. when the blackmithy conducted by Mr. Hugh Campbell, senr., in Lime-stone-street will be closed down after 74 years' existence, during which time it has been supervised by three generations of Campbells. Somewhere about March of 1842 the late Mr. Donald Campbell (father of Mr. Hugh Campbell, sen.) arrived in Ipswich ----then known as "Limestone"--from New South Wales, and established a blacksmithy and wheelwrighting department on a site about where the pound yard stands, in West Ipswich. This was 74 years ago, and Mr. Hugh Campbell was about 12 years of age at the time. "Limestone" was then the terminus of the squatter population of the Darling Downs, as well as the pastoralist country below the Main Range --- Fassifern, Normanby, Laidley Creek, Helidon, Cressbrook, and Mount Brisbane. Subsequent to removing to the Toowoomba side of the One Mile Creek, the late Mr. Donald Campbell shifted into the centre of Ipswich --first on a site about where Mr. C. C. Cole's sale yards are in East-street ; thence to the, corner of East and Limestone streets. Here Mr. Donald Campbell died in 1857, after which the business are conducted by his son, Mr. Hugh Campbell, and the "old corner" was the rendezvous for many years for the bullock drivers from the "Condamine" with their drays for repairs, as well as the meeting place of most of the racing men of the "old days," as "Hughy" Campbell was regarded as the best shoeing smith, especially of racehorses in this district. And in the making of a set of brands he had no equal. Only quite recently Mr. Hugh Campbell was at the anvil making a set of brands. In 1887 the old smithy was removed from the corner of Limestone and East streets to its present site in Lime-stone-street where, of late years, the business has been conducted by Mr. T. H. Campbell, a son of Mr. Hugh Campbell. For the past 70 years this establishment has shod the horses of the local police department (under both the New South Wales and the Queensland Governments), and the horses of the Sandy Gallop asylum have been operated upon ever since its establishment some 40 years ago. No man in this State perhaps has shod more race-horses than Mr. Hugh Campbell, sen.. and the "old hands" will regret to hear of the closing down of the old establishment.^[5]

Oldest Turf Identity

Old Identities. Mr Hugh Campbell, Sen (Continued from last Saturday's "Queensland Times.") VETERAN RESIDENT OF IPSWICH. SEVENTY TWO YEARS IN THIS CITY. OLDEST TURF IDENTITY IN QUEENSLAND.

Continuing his references to the sturdy band who bravely endured the hardships connected with the early days. Mr. Hugh Campbell states that he personally knew all the squatters of the Darling Downs through their calling at his father's (the late Mr. Donald Campbell's) blacksmithing and wheelwright establishment. Messrs William Vowles, James Josey, and a man named Crouch were the pioneer sawyers at Pine Mountain. The traffic on the river between "Limestone" and Brisbane, was carried on by means of flat-bottomed boats, propelled by oars, South Brisbane was the terminus of Darling Downs for many years, and to this fact was due the origin of the agitation energetically carried on by the squatting fraternity to make Cleveland the principal port for Moreton Bay. In course of time many of those who came overland from the New South Wales side to the pastoral El Dorado of Queensland subsequently drifted to Ipswich. Thus, "the remote village," as some of the early Brisbaneites were pleased to designate the "head of navigation" during its initial stages of development gradually increased in population. Included among Mr. Hugh Campbell's "comrades of the old 'Limestone' school" were the respective families of the late Mr. Richard Watson, the late Mr. William Yates, and the family of the late Mr. George Bell. "The late Mr. James England (who died in the old country, and who was very wealthy), uncle of the family of the late Mr. George England, was actually the first man to build a wooden cottage in Little Ipswich, he having brought the timber in boats from Brisbane," says Mr. Campbell, "and he was always of a sporting inclination, as he brought with him game poultry, fighting dogs, &c." The first man to open a bakery business in Ipswich, 70 years

Picture of Mr. HUGH CAMPBELL.

ago, was the late Mr. Martin Byrne, so well known subsequently as one of the leading men in this city. He opened a shop, in the first instance, on the Bell-street site of Messrs. Cribb and Foote's large machinery department. A Mr. Savory shortly after-wards opened a bakery, in Brisbane-street, on the site of Messrs. Cribb and Foote's ironmongery department —previously the original site of the Bank of Australasia. Then, in East-street, about 1844, the late Mr. Christopher Gorry (who had come from Sydney under engagement to the Messrs. Hodgson and Watts, at Eton Vale, as a stockman) established a saddlery business, which was in evidence for some 50 years. The late Mr. Thomas Geraghty was the earliest butcher in Ipswich, having established a business on the northern side of Union-street (then known as "Thompson's row"), on the site between Stewart's shirt factory and Mrs. J. Laister's boarding-house. About this period (1845) the grand-parents of the Hon. James Wilkinson make their appearance in Ipswich, and the grandfather, along with his son (the late Mr. Robert Wilkinson), was a sawyer in this district. The honour of having been the first man to enter the matrimonial ranks in Ipswich during the early forties belonged to the late Mr. William Vowles. The marriage ceremony was performed by the late Rev. Dean Hanley, a very popular priest of the 1840 period, said Mr. Campbell. "The original dray-track from South Brisbane to Toowoomba," continued Mr. Campbell, "entered Ipswich via a gap in the Limestone Hill range (years before the hill was cut through for the present road), near the Boys' Central School: thence across the property of Mrs. T. Brennecke in Milford - street (when it was Crown land) towards "Satan's Depression" (Devil's Gully), crossing Wharf-street and passing through the church property in East-street, thence onwards past the Red Cow Hotel (now the Caledonian Hotel; Treagle's lolly factory now occupies the site of the old dray-track), thence across Bell-street into Nicholas-street, on from what is now the site of Mr. F. W Whitehouse's Cafe, and going towards Darling-street, thence onward to the Cutting." Mr. Campbell distinctly remembers the arrival of the first steamer from Brisbane, the Experiment 68 years past (in June of 1846), commanded by the late Capt. Alymeer Campbell, who, with his wife and family, afterwards settled down as an auctioneer in Ipswich, residing on a site on the southern side of Union-street. "There was," says Mr. Campbell, "quite a commotion among the small group of onlookers, about 100, all told, assembled on the point at the termination of Wharf-street, as this steam-boat turned the Basin corner, and headed towards Wharf-street. The vessel's arrival was heralded by the tooting of bag-pipes played by the late Mr. W. Whiteman. By this steamer came the late Mr. and Mrs. William Beverley from Sydney. This vessel plied regularly between Brisbane and Ipswich for years subsequently." In the meantime, the late Dr. W. M. Dorsey had removed from "Little Ipswich" to the site now occupied by Dr. J. A. Cameron, in East-street, Dr. Dorsey (who came from the Bathurst side in the first instance), having had a large wooden residence erected thereon. " Every-thing was going along merrily enough until March of 1847, when a great sensation was caused by the wreck, in Moreton Bay, of the steamer Sovereign (Capt. Cape), on the way to Sydney, with a load of wool and a number of passengers, the most of whom were personally known to me," remarked Mr. Campbell, "and in March of 1848 the whole community was shocked by the report of an awful murder having occurred at Kangaroo Point. The murderer was subsequently hanged in Sydney." An incident occurred in 1847 worthy of mention-namely, the marriage of Mr. William Horton, the "Squire of Drayton," to Miss Campbell. Mr Hugh Campbell's only sister, the ceremony taking place in the Red Cow Hotel, in Bell-street, then kept by a Mr. Ferbie, who purchased the property from Black Neale," and then disposed of it to the late Mr. William Horton (father of Mr. P. Horton, Crown Lands ranger, in the Wide Bay district, at the present time), who subsequently became the owner of Messrs. Cribb and Foote's corner at the junction of Bell and Brisbane Streets, after much litigation with the late Mr. F. A. Forbes, the corner of East and Brisbane Streets (the site of the Queensland National Bank), and the North Star Hotel corner of Brisbane and Ellenborough Streets. In the year 1848, the late Mr. and Mrs. William Berry (parents of Messrs. John Berry, of the local post-office, and Alex. Berry, the well-known railway guard), settled in Ipswich, and they had not long been here, when the late Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm M'Lean, accompanied by five daughters and two sons, came to Ipswich, via Cunningham's Gap, from the New South Wales side. They settled down in Ipswich, on the property of the late Mr. William Vowles, now known as the Central Hotel. "At one time in Ipswich," says Mr. Campbell, "there were three coloured men, proprietors of hotels, —"Black Neale,' of the Red Cow ; 'Black Nahar,' of the Crown Hotel Bell-street, and 'Black Perry,' at the corner of Nicholas and Brisbane Streets."

The arrival in Moreton Bay of the first immigrant vessel, the Artemisia, in December of 1848, created a good deal of concern, a number of these new arrivals finding their way to Ipswich and the outside stations. Next the arrival, during the following year (in 1849), of Dr. Lang's three chartered ships, laden with immigrants, exercised a great influence on the history of Ipswich. The Fortitude arrived in Moreton Bay on the 20th of January, 1949; the Chaseley on the 1st of May; and the Lima on the 30th of November. The ship Chaseley brought to Moreton Bay the founder (the late Mr. Benjamin Cribb) of the firm of Messrs. Cribb and Foote. He commenced in Ipswich, in a small way, in Bell-street, his first place of business being on the site of what is now Union-street. "From 1848," said Mr. Campbell, "Ipswich commenced to make head way, and the 10 years between 1849 and 1859 were exceedingly lively and busy ones, owing to the head of navigation being made the land terminus for the Darling Downs wool and owing to the agitation for the separation of Moreton Bay from New South Wales. In addition to the little steamer Experiment (chartered in the first instance by a Helidon squatter, the late Mr. James Canning Pearce), the steamers Hawk and Bremer, built in South Brisbane, regularly plied between Ipswich and Brisbane, bringing the necessaries of life from the metropolis for the squatters out Condamine way, and returning laden with the 'golden fleece' (wool) and tallow. Stores sprang up in Ipswich, the sites for which were chiefly chosen in close proximity to the river—Bremer-street and this thoroughfare," said Mr. Campbell, "for nearly 30 years always presented an animated appearance. Hotels likewise became very numerous, and, besides the Queen's Arms Hotel and the Red Cow, public-houses were opened in Nicholas-street by the late Mr. H. Foley (on the site of Messrs. Hughes and Cameron's premises), the late Mr. John Clune (the Clare Castle Hotel, now the North Australian Hotel), the late Mr. William Vowles (now the site of the Central Hotel) and by the late Mr. Martin Byrne (on the corner of Brisbane and Nicholas Streets, Greenham's corner). The late Mr. Charles Watkins held an hotel license for premises in Ellenborough-street (for many years subsequently the site of the "Queensland Times others now crossed by the Toowoomba railway-line), and the late Mr. J. Brennan erected the original North Star Hotel on the corner of Brisbane and Ellenborough Street. Among the very early storekeepers who commenced business here were Messrs. Walter Gray and Co., the late Mr. George Thorn, Messrs. Reid and Boyland, the late Mr. F N. Forbes, the late Mr. P. O'Sullivan, the late H. M. Reeve, the late Mr. John Panton, Messrs. G. H. Wilson and Co., and the late Mr. Frederick Hudson, draper and tailor, whose place of business in 1849 was situated on the corner now occupied by the "Queensland Times." Banks were quickly established and the first financial institution to open its doors here was the Bank of New South Wales-in the first instance on a site in East-street, opposite Mr. W. G. Livermore's "soft "drink factory. A public school was opened in the mid-forties in East-street, on the site now occupied by Messrs. E. Cole, and Co.'s sale-yards, by a Mr. Jones, whose place was subsequently taken by the late Mr. Daniel M'Grath (father of Mr. W. J. M'Grath, solicitor, of Brisbane), who had previously been tutor on the Messrs. Leslie's station, Canning Downs. The first postmaster in Ipswich was a Mr. William Warren, who had a small place of business in Brisbane-street, about on the site of Messrs. J. P. Bottomley's butcher's shop. The religious needs of the meagre population of this city," re-marked Mr. Campbell, "were well looked after, and about one of the first clergymen that I can recollect visiting 'Limestone' was the Rev. Dean Hanley, who always made my father's residence his home while in this district. I have a distinct recollection of all the other clergymen, representing other denominations, who made periodical visits, particularly the late Rev. B. Glennie. As to sport," continued Mr. Campbell, "I remember quite well the visits to Ipswich, 65 years ago, of the athlete called 'The Flying Pieman' (whose correct name was Walter Francis King), particularly when he beat the coach plying between Brisbane and Ipswich, he having been handicapped by carrying the pole of a coach as well. 'The Flying Pieman' generally conveyed the 'Moreton Bay Courier' from Brisbane to Ipswich, and he was always initiating some new feats of athleticism. In the early days of horse-racing in Ipswich he generally had a coffee-stall, along with another well - known identity ('Red Murphy'), at the morning gallops. The first horse race-meetings were, however, conducted along a straight track, from a point starting from Limestone Hill to the finishing-post, opposite Martin Byrne's old 'pub,' situated at the corner of Brisbane and Nicholas Streets, and, with the presence of the bullock-driving fraternity, there were always 'lashions' of fun and frolic. I can,"' said Mr. Campbell, "remember when the site of the present St. Paul's Church was a huge vegetable garden kept by the late Mr. Martin Byrne, and the site of Messrs. G. H. Wilson and Co.'s store, on the corner of East and Limestone Streets, was also put under cultivation as a vegetable garden by the late Mr. George Thorn. The scene of horse-racing was, at a subsequent period, removed from what is now Brisbane - street and conducted on a straight track near the former 'Ploughed Station' (since known as the 'Old Racecourse'), the starting-point having been from Bunbanba Creek, and the winning-post—a pile of stones—near the old 'Blaxland's' residence. A circular course was subsequently surveyed by the late Sir Evan M'Kenzie. This would be during the mid-fifties." Asked if he remembered the incident of a number of bullock-drivers (a dozen), who presented themselves at the Queen's Arms Hotel, corner of Brisbane and East Streets, and chal-lenged an equal number of squatters to "come out" and fight, Mr. Campbell replied, "That is quite true. They fought, and each of the bullock-drivers received a jolly good hiding, for the squatters were a powerful lot of well-trained men—Dr. Dorsey, the late Mr. William ('Fighting') Turner, the Bigges's, Joshua Peter Bell, and others. The squatters regarded the fight, as a rare bit of fun, and subsequently invited their vanquished foes to an excellent dinner. Early in the fifties games, of cricket were indulged in between the townsmen and the 'bushies' (squatters and bullockies), the side defeated having to pay the piper, in the shape of a dinner. I think I am the only survivor of those good old cricketing days," said Mr. Campbell ; "and as to horse-racing, my memory takes me right back to 1846, and ever since I have been connected with turf matters. I was for over 40 years an official—either as clerk of the course or as starter. I was clerk of the course connected with the Champion Race of 1861, and I am safe in saying that there is not another man in Australia who has handled more racehorses than myself—that is to say, I shod them. There were as many, as half-a-dozen publicans' booths, as well as fruit and "'soft" drink stalls, at race-meetings, in the early days. There were, too, other forms of amusement—'aunt sallies,' &c.—available on the course between the events. But those days are passed!" It may be state that Mr. Hugh Campbell was present at last Wednesday's Q.T.C. meeting, and his eyesight seems as keen as ever, "My father," concluded Mr. Camp-bell, selected the site of the first Cemetery at Sandy Gallop, almost opposite the showground gates, and the first person buried there was a Mr. R Newman, an employee engaged on Normanby station (then owned by the late Mr. George Thorn sen.), and many old residents will remember the monumental slab that stood for years, bearing the inscription chipped out, 'James Hill, Died, 1849, Aged 35.' Yes, I could relate a lot about the early Parliamentary elections—both for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, and the Queensland Parliament. But, perhaps, on another occasion I might give you some further reminiscences of the city, which I have seen expand from a sheep-run to its present dimensions, during the last 72 years."^[6]

IN THE DIM DISTANCE. Fifty-one years ago to-day was run the famous Queensland Champion Sweepstakes of £100 each with £1000 added at the old Ipswich racecourse when John Tait's Zoe, ridden by Jimmy Ashworth won from John Single's Ben Bolt.(Eddie Cummins), with Alexander Balbi's Von Tromp (Sam Connell) third, and Collin's Eclipse unplaced. The only official who assisted at that race now living is Mr. Hugh Campbell who lives at Limestone-street, Ipswich, who acted on that occasion as clerk of the course.^[7]

Obituaries

DEATH OF MR. HUGH CAMPBELL, Snr. ----SEVENTY NINE YEARS IN AUSTRALIA. SEVENTY FIVE YEARS' RESIDENCE IN IPSWICH. IN HIS EIGHTY EIGTH YEAR OF AGE. Universal regret was expressed on all sides when the news passed round early yesterday morning announcing the sudden death of Mr. Hugh Alexander Campbell, sen.. at his residence, Limestone-street, thus severing the last link with Ipswich's early history. Although it was noticed of late that he was becoming feeble, no one thought that the end of this old identity was so near. He paid a visit to the city last Friday, and in the evening the writer had a chat with him about the topics of the day. On Sunday last he remained in bed. He slept well on Sunday night, but towards the morning complained to his daughters of having pins in his body, particularly in the vicinity of the heart, and Miss Christina Campbell, who has been most devoted in her attentions to him, at once sought to ease the pains. Between 7.30 and 7.45 a.m. she left her father to go down stairs, asking her brother; Mr. Thomas Campbell, to go up and read the news in the morning paper to him-a regular custom -and when the son reached the bed-side his father was dead - life had passed silently away, without the slightest sign of a struggle. His end was peaceful. But the discovery was nevertheless a great shock to the members of the family in the house four daughters and Mr. Thomas Campbell, Mr. William Campbell having left about 7 o'clock in a sulky for Marburg, his father remarking to his daughter Miss Christina that "Willie was out early." Born in Tobermory, Scotland, on the 18th of November, 1829, the de-ceased was approaching his 88th birthday. His mother died while he was an infant. He was baptized by the first minister of Tobermory, the late Rev. Alexander Ferguson, whose Christian name was given to him, he having been christened Hugh Alexander Campbell. A short time ago the photo of the Rev. Alexander Ferguson, who died in July of 1833, was forwarded to Mr. Hugh Campbell by his cousin, Mr. Hector MacKinnan,and was hung up in the room of the deceased. Subsequent to the death of his mother, his father, the late Mr. Donald Campbell, emigrated from Scotland to New South Wales, arriving in Port Jackson (Sydney) in the year 1838, the deceased being then nine years old. There were other members of the Campbell family-a sister (Miss Campbell) and two brothers Lachlan and John). Mr. Donald Campbell having followed his occupation (that of a blacksmith) for several years in New South Wales —at Dartbook Station (on the Severn River, at Scok)^[8], and at Maitland, he determined to follow in the footsteps of the Messrs. Patrick Leslie and brothers, who had discovered the Darling Downs in the early forties. He left Sydney with his family in the small vessel Nancy, arriving in Brisbane about March, 1842, subsequent to, the proclamation (by the late Governor Sir George Gipps) of Moreton Bay as a free settlement. The Campbell family were amongst the first free settlers to make Ipswich-or "Limestone," as it was then known-their home, and Mr. Hugh Campbell has been a continuous resident of this city for the past 75 years, never having, at any time, been more than a week out of it at one time. His sister became, Mrs. William Horton in 1847, and 10 years later-namely, on the 18th of June, 1857--Mr. Hugh Campbell was married to Miss Christina M'Lean by the late Rev. Dr. Nelson, the first Presterian minister in Ipswich. Mr. Hugh Campbell's father died the same year, and his wife predeceased him by five years, she having died on the 21st of July, 1912. Mr. Hugh Campbell saw Ipswich rise from a lime-kiln to its present dimensions. He witnessed the initiation of all the industries, its churches, and its school buildings. He saw the commencement of the river traffic by steamers between Ipswich and Brisbane 71 years ago, and the inauguration of the railway system at Ipswich over half-a-century ago. He also followed the growth of sporting in Ipswich, when this city was the headquarters of the racing community in Queensland. He was an official of the old North Australian Jockey Club, and was a constant attendant at race-meetings at Ipswich for the past half-century or more. He conducted a black smithy since the death of his father, and his son, Mr. Thos. Campbell, now carries on business--which has been in existence for 75 years. As soon as they heard of his demise, his life-long friends—Messrs. Samuel and Richard Watson, Mr. Michael M'Anallen (who spent last Saturday evening in his company), Mr. William Harvey, and Mr. John M'Kenzie called, and remained at the bedside of the deceased. During the day the family were the recipients of expressions of sorrow from far and wide. A cable message was sent to his son, Mr. J. M. Campbell, of the Queensland Agent-General's Department, London. He leaves five daughters (Misses Kate, Sarah, Christina, and Bella, and Mrs. A. Carter, of Brisbane), and six sons (Messrs. James, J. M., Hugh A, Thomas, Malcolm, and Lex) to mourn their loss. The funeral will take place this afternoon at 3 o'clock.^[9]

MR. HUGH A. CAMPBELL. Mr. Hugh Alexander Campbell, aged nearly 89 years, died at this late residence,-Limestone-street, Ipswich.,'at about 8 o'clock, on Monday morning. He , was born in Tobermory, Argyll shire, Scotland, in 1829, and was the first free settler to arrive in Ipswich.

Deceased, his, father (the late Donald Campbell, a sister, who afterwards married Mr. William Horton, of Drayton, and two brothers— Lachlan and John— emigrated from Scotland to New South Wales, arriving at Port Jackson in 1838. Upon the news of the discovery of the Darling Downs Mr. Donald Campbell and his family removed to Moreton Bay. journeying to Brisbane in the small vessel Nancy, arriving just subsequent to the proclamation of Moreton Bay by the late Sir George Gipps, as a free settlement in the early part of 1842. and took up blacksmithing in Ipswich— Limestone it was called at that time. The late Mr. Hugh Campbell married Miss C. M'Lean in 1857 — the same year his father died. His sister, the late Mrs, George Thorn, senr., and the late Mrs. William Patrick, were among the first white European women in Ipswich. The late Mr. Campbell was known throughout Queensland as the "sporting blacksmith, as he worked at his trade until 82 years of age. He was a resident of Ipswich for 75 years continuously, and remembers the place from a limekiln— what it was then— to its present dimension. The late Mr 'Hughie' Campbell was a familiar figure in the city and was a popular and highly respected resident. Deceased leaves a family of five daughters, Misses Kate, Sarah, Christina Bella and Mrs G. A. Carter, six, sons James (manager Silverwood Dairy Toowoomba), J. M. (Agent-Generals office, London), Hugh A, Thomas, Malcolm and Son. A Son-in-law is Mr G. A. Carter (Under-Secretary in the Justice Department.) The funeral took place yesterday and was the largest ever witnessed in Ipswich.^[10][11]

ECHOES OF THE PAST. BY "BEN BOLT."

Again the cypress wreath. Last (Saturday at Ipswich there passed beyond the Grey Range, Hugh Alexander Campbell, one of the first white settlers of old- Limestone. It was in 1842 when Hughie, with his father and 'mother, two brothers and a sister, struck the head of navigation in the newly-formed settlement of Moreton Bay, and settled down as the second white family on the furthest out settlement. George Thorn was the first. For three-quarters of a Century, Hughie stuck to Ipswich, and saw every brick, ashler, and weather-board put in place of what's now the bustling, busy city that at one time aspired to become the capital of Queensland. And the grand old pioneer who has passed beyond contributed in a large measure to the advancement of the city. Tho only time I saw the good old Limestone pioneer was a matter of fifty-six years ago when he and Gordon Cameron rode up from Ipswich to attend the first Show of your Royal Agricultural Society. But that was characteristic of Hughie Campbell, who always evinced a keen interest in every enterprise calculated to advance or amuse his fellow colonists. He always took a lively interest in racing and no Ipswich race committee was complete without the sporting blacksmith and no race meeting passed without he was in the centre of the fun. But those were the days of clean sport, when men raced their horses 'for the glory 'of the thing, and there was no "ringing-in," "stiffening," and such-like shady practices to relieve the unwary of their spare cash; This was the kind of sport Hughie Campbell was, and on the racecourse as well as elsewhere he acted square. His sister, whom I knew when a kiddie, was married to Bill Horton, of Drayton; and with whose three boys. Willie, Donald; and Tommy, "Ben" played in the; long distant past. With Hugh Alexander Campbell a link with ancient Limestone has snapped, and the hand of Time snatches from a largo circle of friends another of Queensland's most intrepid and perservering track-blazers.^[12]

Research Notes

Obituary of Murdoch Campbell. ^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/221008198/hugh-alexander-campbell : accessed 12 May 2021), memorial page for Hugh Alexander Campbell (18 Nov 1829–30 Jul 1917), Find A Grave: Memorial #221008198, citing Ipswich General Cemetery, Ipswich, Ipswich City, Queensland, Australia ; Maintained by Greensteam (contributor 48657516) .
2. ↑ Queensland Times, Sat 12 Feb 1916, p. 2.
3. ↑ Queensland Times, Sat 23 Sep 1911, p. 14. Mr. Hugh Campbell to verify whether an oil painting depicts Dr. Leichhardt.
4. ↑ Queensland Times, Sat 8 Aug 1914, p. 10.
5. ↑ Queensland Times, Sat 19 Feb 1916, p. 8,
6. ↑ Queensland Times, Sat 15 Aug 1914, p. 10.
7. ↑ Darling Downs Gazette, Wed 29 May 1912, p. 5.
8. ↑ possibly Scone
9. ↑ Queensland Times, Tue 31 Jul 1917, p. 5.
10. ↑ Darling Downs Gazette, Wed 1 Aug 1917, p. 4.
11. ↑ Queensland Times, Wed 1 Aug 1917, p. 7. Additional reporting on the funeral.
12. ↑ Darling Downs Gazette, Sat 4 Aug 1917, p, 2.
13. ↑ Warialda Standard and Northern Districts' Advertiser (NSW : 1900 - 1954) Mon 4 Aug 1924 Page 2 The Late Mr. Murdoch Campbell

• Birth Date from various obituaries.
• QLD BDM Death. 30/07/1917 1917/C/2947 Accessed on 12 May 2021.
• QLD BDM Marriage 18/6/1857 1859/C/128 Accessed 12 May 2021.