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Below is a family biography included in History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott, published by Iola Register, 1901.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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GEORGE W. CAMPBELL, who owns and operates a farm in North township, Woodson County, was born in Cook County, Illinois, December 20, 1852, and is a son of Sidney and Betsy (McClara) Campbell, both natives of New York. The father devoted his life to farming operations. He went to Illinois in 1838, locating in Cook County when Chicago was a small village. He therefore witnessed its marvelous growth and development as it attained to the second position among the cities of the Union. Mr. Campbell died in Cook County in 1891, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years, and his wife passed away in 1886, at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living. Two of their sons laid down their lives on the altar of their country in the Civil war, one of them never being heard from after he entered the battle.

George W. Campbell was the seventh in order of birth in the family. He attended the common schools of his native county and when a young man he resolved to go west where he could obtain land at cheaper rates than he could in Illinois. Accordingly, in 1878, he made his way to Woodson County, Kansas, and for one year worked by the month as a farm hand after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land and began the development of the farm upon which he now makes his home although its boundaries have since been extended until it now comprises two hundred and forty acres. It is a very fertile and productive tract, located about fourteen, miles northwest of Yates Center. He remained upon his farm until the Oklahoma district was opened for settlement, when he went to that country, remaining for a year. Not being pleased with the territory; however, he returned to Woodson county where he has since made his home, devoting his time to general farming and stock-raising. He has a large herd of cattle and also many mules, and in both branches of his business he is meeting with prosperity.

After purchasing his land and making preparations for a home of his own, Mr. Campbell desired to have a companion with whom to share his new possessions, and in 1880 was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Miller. Their union has been blessed with two sons, Sidney and Ira, both at home and assisting their father in the operation of the farm. Mr. Campbell is now a prosperous agriculturist and his success is entirely attributable to his own efforts, for all that he possesses has been acquired since his arrival in Kansas. In his political views he is a Republican and has filled several offices of trust in his township, called to these positions by the vote of his fellow townsmen, among whom he is a popular and respected citizen.

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This family biography is one of 204 biographies included in History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott, published by Iola Register, 1901, Iola, Kansas.  For the complete description, click here: Woodson County, Kansas History and Genealogy

View additional Woodson County, Kansas family biographies here: Woodson County, Kansas

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