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 and 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.
During his lifetime, he also authored several books including The Life and Death of Worlds, America, Past, Present and Future, and The Greater United States.
Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser-Alexander/Legends of Kansas, updated February 2021.
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