Hon. Edward Camphausen    

EDWARD CAMPHAUSEN. Graven deeply and with marked distinction on the history of the state of Pennsylvania are the name and works of Hon. Edward Camphausen, who died at his home in the city of Erie, on Friday, February 13, 1903. He stood as an honored member of a striking group of men whose influence in the social and economic life of the nation was of most beneficent order. It is easy to attribute the elements of greatness to any man who has been in the least conspicuous in public affairs, but in the perspective of years each presentment assumes its true value and an unequivocal verdict may be rendered. The fame of Edward Camphausen rests on the firm basis of work accomplished and honors worthily won, and in studying his clean-cut, sane, distinct character, interpretation follows fact in a straight line of derivation. His character was the positive expression of a strong and loyal nature, and the laurels of high personal accomplishment were his, as well as the goodly heritage of distinguished and patrician ancestry.

Edward Camphausen was born in the historic old city of Cologne, Germany, on the 20th of February, 1823, and had his life been prolonged by only a few days he would thus have celebrated the eightieth anniversary of his birth. In both the paternal and maternal lines he was a scion of distinguished ancestry. On the paternal side the family has been established in Dusseldorf, Germany, and its vicinity for fully five centuries, and the name has been prominent in connection with financial, civic and military affairs in the great German empire during practically that entire period. One of his cousins, the distinguished Otto Camphausen, was long incumbent of the office of minister of finance in the cabinet of the emperor at Berlin. His mother was a member of the notable Westphalian family of Freiherrn von Schorlemmer-Nieder-Hellinghausen, prominent in German affairs for more than ten centuries. Her ancestors received the order of knighthood at the hands of the great Christian emperor, Charlemagne, and thus became freeholders of the Holy Roman Empire. At a later date representatives of this distinguished family were prominent in the great religious reformation under the leadership of Martin Luther.

The subject of this memoir was afforded the advantages of a home of distinctive culture and refinement, and after attending a military academy in his native land he entered Bonn University, where he continued his higher academic studies. He thereafter served about one year as a volunteer officer in the German army, and then, in 1848, during the turbulent times in Germany, when twenty-five years of age, he severed the ties which bound him to home and fatherland and came to America where it was to be his portion to attain personal honors, success and distinction. He was a close personal friend of Carl Schurz, who when in Erie was entertained at Mr. Camphausen’s home. Soon after his arrival he came to Erie county and took up his residence in that part of Mill Creek township which is now included in the Sixth ward of the city of Erie. In 1836 he was actively identified with the organization of South Erie into a borough, and there he was called upon to serve in various offices, including those of school director, councilman, justice of the peace and solicitor. In 1870 he was one of the foremost in bringing about the annexation of South Erie to the city of Erie, and his effective services and personal popularity led to his being chosen as a member of the select council, of which he became president in 1871. In this office he had occasion several times to fill the part of acting mayor during the absence of the regular incumbent, Hon. William L. Scott. As such he assumed the leadership in the raising of funds for the sufferers by the great Chicago fire of that year, and in this connection he exemplified that deep human sympathy and generous spirit which were ever characteristic of the man.

Through effective study and discipline Mr. Camphausen ably fortified himself for the work of the legal profession, and he was admitted to the bar of the state of Pennsylvania, March 15, 1865. Concerning his professional career the following estimate has been given by one familiar with the same: "he entered at once upon a large and very lucrative practice. He gave his attention mainly to the civil branch of his profession, especially in the line of conveyancing. His income as a lawyer was probably larger at one period than that of any other person who has practiced in the Erie courts. He took a trip to Europe with his family in 1873, being absent fourteen months. While there he was honored with an appointment as commissioner for Pennsylvania to the Vienna exposition. On his return he resumed the practice of law, with the same remarkable success as before. In 1876 he filled the office of city solicitor." Mr. Camphausen had a deep appreciation of the dignity and responsibilities of the exacting profession to which he devoted many years of his life, and his record as a member of the bar of the Keystone state is one that will ever stand to his credit and honor.

In public affairs of wider scope it was given the subject of this memorial to gain distinction. On his career as a diplomat rests largely his national fame. Concerning this matter the following pertinent statements are consistently reproduced in this article: “Appointed United States consul to Naples in 1885, he served in that distinguished post for five years—four under Cleveland and one under Harrison. His service abroad was marked by a degree of tact, courtesy and ability that placed him in the front rank of our foreign representatives, and made him popular not only among Americans but also among all classes in Italy. He gave a great deal of attention to the social duties of his office and won the reputation of being ‘the most hospitable consul in Europe.’ One of those he had the pleasure of entertaining was the Hon. James G. Blaine, who wrote him a charming letter of acknowledgment and was his warm friend ever afterward. Upon returning home, June 18, 1890, Mr. Camphausen and his family were given a most cordial greeting. A public reception was tendered them in their home city, and welcoming speeches were made by a number of representative citizens.”

After his return from his post at Naples, Mr. Camphausen lived a virtually retired life, though he continued to give a general supervision to his various private interests, which were of varied order and wide scope. He continued to take a loyal interest in public affairs, and “every effort for the general benefit of Erie found in him a brave and energetic advocate.” He made judicious investments in local realty and made substantial improvements on his various properties, having erected buildings in divers parts of the city. In 1895 was completed the erection of the beautiful family homestead, on West Tenth street, and it has ever been a center of gracious hospitality, offering the attractions of refined appointments and cultured atmosphere.

In politics Mr. Camphausen was arrayed as a stalwart advocate of the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor. File was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, in which he was confirmed as a boy, and he aided in many ways the cause of religion, in which connection his generosity knew no creed. He was well fortified in his opinions, had a deep reverence for the spiritual verities, and was tolerant of the views of others. He was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, held membership in the Erie Club, Kahkwa Country Club, and the Erie Board of Trade, and was one of the incorporators of both the Hamot Hospital and the Glenwood Park Association.

On the 18th of April, 1853, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Camphausen to Miss Sophia Zimmerman, who survives him, as do also two of their seven children—Misses Eda and Florence, who remain with their mother. Mrs. Camphausen was born in the city of Erie and is a daughter of Frederick and Almira (Drown) Zimmerman, the former of whom was likewise born in Erie, a member of the old and honored family of that name, and the latter of whom was a member of the Drown family, prominent in the early history of New England. Frederick Zimmerman was a son of John Zimmerman, who came from Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Erie county in the pioneer epoch of this section.

An editorial appearing in a local newspaper at the time of the death of Mr. Camphausen spoke of him in the following appreciative words: “Mr. Camphausen was a man of splendid bodily vigor as well as mental attainments. Few persons who saw him a month before his death would have supposed him to be over sixty years of age. Always dignified and courteous, he was known to nearly every person in the city, and had the respect of all. His home relations were of the kindest and happiest nature. He loved his family and was blessed with the most devoted attention in return.” His benevolence was a constant and unwearied desire to contribute to the happiness of all who came within the sphere of his influence. He had a high sense of his stewardship, but the great, tender heart of the man is the basis of the love and veneration in which his memory is held in the city and state which he so signally honored by his life and services.

A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1909, pages 459-461. More Erie County History Books   Search Hundreds of 1880s-1890s Pennsylvania County History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Free Access to the old history books - plus birth & death records, census images and ALL other records at ancestry.com.