Harrison County Mississippi Biographies and Biographical Sketches

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CHAMPLIN, Lewis H. Biography

Lewis H. Champlin, Pass Christian, Miss., member of the bar of Harrison county, is the subject of the following biographical sketch, and is well worthy of mention in this record of the leading men of Mississippi. He was born in Mississippi city, Miss., and is a son of William A. and Margaret (Smith) Champlin, natives of Connecticut and Liverpool, England, respectively. The parents were married in New Orleans by the Rev. Theodore Clapp. The father was born in the year 1809, and at the age of thirteen years he left the parental care and went out to meet the world, relying upon his own resources. He secured a position on an ocean vessel and followed the sea for several years. He became captain of a vessel which plied between New Orleans and Liverpool, but he finally left the water and became a merchant in New Orleans. He carried on this business until 1839 and then came to the territory which is now Harrison county, Miss., locating at Mississippi city. He soon won a reputation for excellent judgment and executive ability, and was elected the first clerk of Harrison county. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1842 or 1843. following the legal profession up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1885. He craved no political honors, but was often urged to accept nominations for public office. In 1874 he allowed his name to be used as a candidate for the legislature of the state, and lie was elected. This and one other occasion were the only times he held public office. He was a self-made man in every respect, and a man of much more than ordinary attainments. He could read both French and Latin, having picked up these two languages without assistance. He reared a family of eight children: William, Dr. A. P., Lewis H. (the subject of this notice), Edward T., C. C., Z. T., George W. and Margaret E. (wife of P. B. Hand). The sons were all soldiers in the Confederate service, and, with the exception of Edward T., are all living. Lewis H. was reared in Harrison county and received his education in the common schools. The war came on just as he was ready to enter the university, so his advantages were comparatively limited. He volunteered in company E, Twentieth Mississippi regiment, and served until the surrender. He was captured at Fort Donelson and was held at Camp Douglas seveu months. He was in all the battles of his regiment and saw some severe service. After the close of the struggle lie returned to his home and taught school and studied law until 1869. In that year he was admitted to the bar and engaged in the practice of his profession. Since 1885 he has given his entire time and attention to legal work and to the real estate business. He controls a large amount of property and is doing a large and important business. Like his father, he has no political aspirations. He was chairman of the demo cratic county executive committee and has frequently been a delegate to the conventions of his party. He was married in 1866 to Mrs. Sarah (George) Poindexter, and three child ren were born to them: W. E., clerk of the Mexican Gulf hotel and county assessor; M. E. , wife of W. B. Beard, of Cypress, Ark., and Georgia. The family belong to the Episcopal church. Mr. Champlin is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He owns some valuable property, is a man loyal to homo interests and is a representative citizen of Harrison county. [Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi, Chicago, The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1891.]