The William Campbell House is located mid-block on the north side at 43 John Street East. It was built around 1880 in the Gothic Revival style. This structure was once the home of William H. Campbell Sr. (a grain merchant) and his wife Bessie (Sutherland). His son Lewis was a doctor, and William L. (Billie) was a druggist. His daughter (Elizabeth/Libby) was born close to the day of the great fire of 1871 (Libby was born 15 May 1871 while the fire began on 25 May). She never married, though she took over her father's business after his death and remained in this house until her own. Dr. S. Hecking and his family purchased the house in the 1950’s and had it remodeled. He had one son (Stephen Jr.) and one daughter. As of 1995, Doctor Hecking was retired, training horses, and still riding occasionally.
The 1½-storey, ‘L’-shaped main building has a one-storey, rear addition. It also has a medium-pitched, gable roof with tall chimney stacks. An elaborately-carved bargeboard and brackets support the wrap-around porch. The wide entrance has sidelights and a transom. There are large window openings, high floor to ceiling heights, and large windows (4/4 sash windows at the ground floor). The structure has load-bearing, brick masonry construction and a stone foundation. According to the 2000 inventory, additions, replacement doors and the second-floor windows on the well-maintained house stray from the original design intent. (1, 2, 3, 5)

A photograph of six Bradford business men, c. 1865. William L. Campbell (Grain Dealer) is on the top left in back row. He was sent to Bradford by his Newmarket employer in 1862 to open a grain and lumber business.

A photograph of seven Bradford business men, c. 1870. William L. Campbell (Grain Dealer) is on the top left in back row. He was sent to Bradford by his Newmarket employer in 1862 to open a grain and lumber business.

Build circa 1880 for William Campbell.

An article about a birthday celebration held for William Campbell (the grain dealer) at his house.

Image of a bill issue to Bradford Bowling Club by William Campbell Coal Co. in 1919. At this time the business was being run by William’s daughter Elizabeth Florence “Libby” Campbell as William died in 1914.

Image of a receipt issued by William Campbell Coal Co. on June 3, 1919. At this time the business was being run by William’s daughter Elizabeth Florence “Libby” Campbell as William died in 1914.

Funeral card for William Campbell from 1914. His death occurred on March 29th, 1914 at the age of 75. William was a grain dealer in Bradford.

A photograph of William L. Campbell (Grain Dealer) standing, c. 1865. Father of William L., Elizabeth F. And Dr. Lewis Campbell. His branch of the Campbell clan was from Caithness, Scotland. At an unknown date they moved to Ireland. William was born in Kilglass, County Sligo Ireland in 1838. He emigrated with his family in 1857 to Traverse City, Michigan. In about 1860 he came to Canada first settling in Brantford, then Newmarket. He was sent to Bradford by his Newmarket employer in 1862 to open a grain and lumber business.

photograph of William L. Campbell (Grain Dealer), c. 1870. Father of William L., Elizabeth F. And Dr. Lewis Campbell. His branch of the Campbell clan was from Caithness, Scotland. At an unknown date they moved to Ireland. William was born in Kilglass, County Sligo Ireland in 1838. He emigrated with his family in 1857 to Traverse City, Michigan. In about 1860 he came to Canada first settling in Brantford, then Newmarket. He was sent to Bradford by his Newmarket employer in 1862 to open a grain and lumber business.