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WARREN NELSON CAMP. Longfellow said, "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well and doing well whatever you do, without any thought of fame." Illustrative of this sentiment has been the life of the late Warren Nelson Camp, one of the well-known railroaders of Springfield, of a past generation. Those familiar with his life work readily corroborate the statement that he did well whatever he turned his attention to and therefore success attended his efforts.
Mr. Camp was born at Adrian, Michigan, August 5, 1843. He was a son of Robert Camp and wife, and grew to manhood and spent his early life near his native city, and there received a good practical education, however, his schooling was not as extensive as he desired, for his father was a farmer and on the homestead our subject found plenty of work to keep him busy most of the year when he was a boy. He began life for himself as a railroader in his native state, and he followed this line of endeavor the rest of his days, his promotion being rapid owing to his faithfulness to duty, his sober habits and intelligence. He engaged in the creamery business in Michigan for about seven years. After leaving his native state, he went to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he continued railroading for some time. On March 17, 1898, he came to Springfield, Missouri, and took a position with the Frisco System in as conductor and continued in the service until his death, which occurred here on May 6, 1901. He accumulated considerable property, which was left to his widow and children, Mrs. Camp being well provided for.
Mr. Camp's marriage was celebrated in Detroit, Michigan, to Mrs. Marie O. Holmes, widow of John B. Holmes, a railroad man who was killed while on duty for the Michigan Central railway. By her marriage with Mr. Holmes three children were born to the widow of our subject, namely: Walter B., Charles R., and Howard D. Her union with our subject was without issue. Mr. Camp became the father of three children by his first marriage, namely: Maude, who is the wife of William Shotwell; Major and Mamie, twins, both deceased.
Mrs. Camp is one of four children, she being the oldest; her three sisters are: Mrs. Margaret Louise Carnley, Mrs. Josephine Odell is a widow, living in Detroit; and Mrs. Sarah Lanniere lives in Ottawa, Canada. The parents of these children were George and Oberline (Paquette) DeGras, both natives of St. Johns, New Brunswick, and all their ancestors were of French origin. In his earlier career George De Gras was a deep-sea sailor, and later went into the ship-building business, and with his father he also engaged extensively in fishing, which is a great industry, for some time before coming to this country. Mrs. Camp was twelve years of age when her father died. He was a "forty-niner" making the long journey to California across the great plains. He never returned; in fact, was never again heard from, and it is the supposition that he was murdered. Mrs. Camp received a good common school education. She is a member of the Sorosis club.
Mr. Camp joined the Presbyterian church early in life. He belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Masonic Order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
[1811-1812]
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