Erasmus D. Campbell was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and lived for a time in Connecticut.

As mayor, Campbell advocated for the building a work-house, the purchase and establishment of a poor farm, the construction of a city hall, a new jail, additional school houses, and other infrastructure improvements.

The city selected and purchased a lot of farmland for a poor farm near Shelby.

His year as mayor was ultimately marred by the Panic of 1857, in which Campbell lost a significant portion of his personal wealth and property.

[2] Campbell ran alongside Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Milwaukee Mayor James B.