W.L. Campbell opened the store around 1891. It was located at 10 Holland St. West. He was the son of William Campbell, grain dealer, and brother of Dr. L.H. Campbell. He was born in Bradford. W.L. attended the Ontario College of Pharmacy, in Toronto, and graduated in 1891, winning the College medal for general proficiency. He was also an expert lacrosse player, until a knee injury kept him from playing. He then took over duties as the team's secretary-treasurer, and the team has since won two provincial championships and one inter-championship. He is also a member of the gun club.
The caption of this photograph follows: "Business Men of Bradford of Twelve Years Ago [1894] Top Row (from left to right): W.J. Walker; J.H. Driffill; Jas. Driffil; E.P. Snow; H.C. Barry; J.H. Davey; S.J.W. Sutherland; Dr. L.H. Campbell; E. Garrett. Second Row: A. Thompson; H.S. Broughton; Robt Stewart; Jas. Clarke; Wm. Campbell; R.J. Barry; Wm. Kilkenny; John Bemrose, sr.; E. Boddy; Jas. Mills. Third Row: J.H. Hockridge; C. Elliot; R.F. Green; T.S. Graham; J.S. Boddy; G. Ogilvie; John Bemrose, jr. Front Row: B. Hulse; E. Driffill; W. Scott; H. Parker; J.G. Cook; W.L. Campbell; A. Sutherland; W.W. Ellis."
Photograph of Marjorie Blanchard Campbell. Wife of William L. Campbell. They met in 1915 when Marjorie was visiting Bradford friends who had moved from her home in Jamestown, New York. Picture taken 1910.
Newspaper clipping from the 1930s discussing the Bradford Lacrosse championship win of 1906. Top Row: I. Morris, Dr. Campbell, A. J. Sinclair, J. Webb, W. Reeves Second Row: R. Anderson, F. Archer, G. Caldwell, F. Coombs, O. Robinson Third Row: V. Graham, R. McKinstry Bottom Row: T. W. W. Evans, G. G. Green, R. Ware, W. L. Campbell, G. Ogilvie
Bradford Witness newspaper article from 1974 about the closing of Ritchie's Patent Medicines. The business before being Ritchie's was W. L. Campbell's Drugstore. "During the 57 years it was in the Campbell name, the pharmacy also shared its quarters with William's father's lumber and grain business, as well as the doctor's office of his brother Lewis."
Photograph of Bessie Sutherland Campbell and her children, Elizabeth “Libbie” Florence Campbell and William L. Campbell outside of Bessie & William Campbell’s house on Johns Street, c. 1915. William's dog can also be seen in this picture.
