Since its formation, Tate County has always had a Sheriff, but it has only had one female Sheriff and possibly the first female Sheriff in Mississippi.
Lella ‘Lil’ Hardin Campbell was appointed in January, 1929 to fill her husband’s (Marshal Clarke Campbell) term when he died of a heart attack in the parking lot of the courthouse. He had been sworn in on January 1, 1928. Mr. Campbell had also served two terms as Tate County Circuit Clerk prior to being elected Sheriff.
Upon his death, Governor Bilbo appointed ‘Lil’ to succeed him as Sheriff. In the article in the Tate County Democrat, January 10, 1929, it was reported that ‘Governor Bilbo took the position that it was only justice to Mrs. Campbell that she should have the commissions from the tax year in which her husband had efficiently served as Sheriff’.
At that time the Sheriff was also the tax collector and his salary was derived from a portion of the taxes paid in the county each year. Sheriff M. C. Campbell died before he received his first paycheck as the taxes weren’t due until February 1.
Lil was the daughter of William Worth Hardin and Sarah G. Helton of Hardin County, Tennessee. She was born February 8, 1877. She and M. C. married December 12, 1900 in Hardin County. He is on the 1880 census in Shelby County, Tennessee living with his parents. She is living in Hardin County, in 1880 with her parents. M. C. was the son of David Andrew Campbell and Elizabeth Trotter Herron.
After their marriage they resided in Shelby County. By 1910 her family had moved to Poinsett County, Arkansas and M.C., Lil and their children, Elizabeth, Sarah and Worth were living in Sharp County, Arkansas. At the 1920 census, the Campbell’s were living in Tate County and the census record says he is the Circuit Clerk.
The article relating to his election to Sheriff states that he had worked for 27 years with the Illinois Central Railroad and had been living in Senatobia for 15 years and had served two terms as Circuit Clerk.
One of their children, Sarah Blackburn Campbell married William Morrison. The County has received documents and artifacts from her one of her descendants which share more of the Campbell history. There is also a section in the Heritage of Tate County (pg. 329) that gives more names and dates of the Campbell Clan.
If you want to Trace Your Roots in Tate County, we invite you to visit the library located in the Crockett Building, 107 Court Street. The librarians are available to help you on Thursday and Friday (except prior to a holiday) from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (please call if you’ll arrive after 3 p.m.). We are adhering to the current health guidelines. Masks are required and we make every effort to comply with social distancing.
Anyone who wishes to help preserve the history of Tate County and its citizens can become a member of TCG&HS. Membership is $15.00 a year for an individual and $18.00 for a family. An application can be obtained on the website or at the library on Thursday and Friday. We also take contributions of historical data and genealogical information to add to the research materials available.
You may contact us at tatehistory@hotmail.com or call 662-562-0390.
