George Campbell – Kansas Pioneer & Politician

George Campbell was a lawyer, author, politician, and Kansas pioneer.

Campbell was born in Yates County, New York, on April 29, 1848, and educated at Starkey Seminary in Eddytown, New York. Later, he studied law. In 1870, he came to Kansas and settled in the Mound Valley Township of Labette County. There, he engaged in farming and stock-raising and also taught school. In 1873, he married Sarah F. Drenner of Mound Valley.

In 1872, he joined the Liberal Republican movement and supported Horace Greeley for president. He was active in organizing the Greenback Party and, in 1884, was one of the organizers of the Farmers’ and Laborers’ Union, which he assisted in establishing in 26 states.

Campbell entered the field of journalism as editor of the Kansas State Alliance, published at Parsons, Kansas, which was made the official publication of the Populist Party when it was organized in 1890. Later, he moved to Oswego and opened a law office before moving again to Coffeyville, Kansas, where he served as County Judge. In 1899, he was elected to the Kansas State Senate.

He also authored several books, including The Life and Death of Worlds, America, Past, Present and Future,  and The Greater United States.