George Warren Campbell
Company A
1841-After 1909

George Warren Campbell, a capitalist of Columbus, widely known in political and Grand Army circles as well as through his activity in business lines, possesses those qualities which seem to have fitted him by nature for leadership. In many lines of life, therefore, he has left the impress of his individuality, his fellow townsmen recognized the wisdom of his success and the worth of his progressive spirit. He started upon life's journey November 29, 1841, his birth occurring in Blendon township, Franklin county.

His father, William Campbell, was born near Lancaster, Ohio, and at the time of his demise was one of the oldest native sons of the state, the day of his birth being April 7, 1803, while he passed away on the 22d of January, 1894. His parents were Scotch people and he possessed many of the sterling characteristics of that race. He became the owner of considerable land, making judicious investments in property from time to time until his holdings embraced many farms. He was very successful in all of his business affairs, his judgment being seldom if ever at fault concerning the advisability of a business transaction. He served as postmaster of his home town for many years, his home being at Central College, Franklin county. He married Lucinda Reed, who was born in Otsego county, New York, April 21, 1807, and died May 16, 1901. She was a granddaughter of a sister of John Adams, the patriot of Revolutionary war times.

George W. Campbell was educated in Central College in Blendon township, pursuing his studies to the age of twenty years. In August 1862, in response to his country's call for aid, he enlisted as a private of the Eighty-eighth Ohio and was detached for three months for clerical service with Samuel Galloway, judge advocate for the state. He then became postmaster for Camp Chase, serving in 1863 and until February, 1864, at which time he was commissioned as first lieutenant on the reorganization of the Sixtieth Ohio Regiment. He participated in the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. After the third battle in which he took part as commander of Company F, he was promoted as aide in General Wilcox's division in the Ninth Army Corps, serving on the staff as A. D. C. of the first brigade until July 30, 1864. This brigade consisted of six regiments but was reduced to thirteen hundred and twenty men after the battle of Petersburg on the 17th of June, Mr. Campbell being the only officer left on the staff. He commanded the brigade for the two succeeding days with the rank of colonel and was then relieved by Col. William Humphreys. His services continued until July 30, 1864, when an attack of malaria fever caused him to be sent to the hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, and he was discharged by special order of Secretary of War Stanton, his discharge coming to him October 27, 1864, because of his physical disability.

Mr. Campbell then returned to Columbus and was engaged in the retail and wholesale business as senior partner of the firm of Campbell & Barbee for two years. On the expiration of that period he sold out, turning his attention to other interests. He was mustered in as the first member of the Grand Army of the Republic in Ohio and organized the first post, now known as McCoy Post, No. 1, Department of Ohio, acting as its mustering officer. In 1867 he was owner and editor of the Republic, the official organ of the Grand Army, so continuing until the fall of 1868, when he sold out to T. C. Campbell and Rev. Maxwell P. Gaddis, of Cincinnati. In January, 1869, he went to St. Louis, where he engaged in the wholesale provision business as a member of the firm of Redfield, Campbell & Company, later as Campbell & Cartan. He also dealt largely in real estate there until 1892. This was a period of marked prosperity for him, during which time he made several subdivisions; one he named "Blendon Place" after his native township, realizing handsome profits from his realty investments. He was also prominent in political circles of that city, and for fifteen years led the fight for better government of the city against the one-man power of Chauncey I. Filley, which credit was given him for his help in causing Mr. Filley's downfall. Later he went to San Francisco and engaged in extensive mining operations in California, being president of a company there up to the time of the earthquake, when the mine shaft was one thousand two hundred and twenty feet in depth and miles of drifts and three tops were filled with water caused by the breaking down of the pumping plant. At that date Mr. Campbell returned to Columbus and with his son H. W. organized the Nature Creation Remedy Company, of which Mr. Campbell is the president. This company was organized for the purpose of introducing a remedy for tuberculosis and is meeting with wonderful success.

On the 14th of May, 1865, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Olive C. Redfield. of Uhrichsville. Ohio. Unto them were born four sons, namely: Tod Campbell, born in 1866 now living in Oakland, California.; Blendon Campbell, born in 1873, a noted artist of New York; George W. Campbell, Jr., born 1877, killed in battle at El Canna, July 1, 1898; and H. W. Campbell, born 1880, residing in Columbus.

Mr. Campbell is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of Grand Army of the Republic, also Past Regent Royal Arcanum. He finds his rest and recreation in fishing and travel. His life experiences have been varied, and in all of his different connections he has been found on the side of progress and improvement, ever seeking higher attainment and a more advanced standard of excellence. He is today an energetic, public-spirited and influential resident of the capital city and one who is regarded as a valuable addition to its citizenship.

In politics, Mr. Campbell is a republican with strong convictions on political and co-related economic questions. He resided in Stockton, California, in 1895-96 during the coinage battle of that period. The legislature had unanimously passed a resolution instructing the delegates to the national republican convention at St. Louis in 1896 to vote in favor of the coinage of gold and silver at the ratio of 1.6 to 1. The republican state convention, selecting the delegation, had adopted a similar resolution.

Mr. Campbell set out to prevent the following out of these instructions, working first among the bi-metallic clubs and league, and finally going to St. Louis, where he fought. the battle to a victory in so far as the California delegation was concerned. It was understood, or at least feared, that the California delegation would bolt the nomination and withdraw from the convention in the event of the adoption of a single gold standard platform. Leading republicans in California, who knew him best and understood his great force in a political contest, induced him to go to St. Louis and prevent if possible the withdrawal of the California delegation. This he succeeded in accomplishing after a hard polemic contest among the delegates both personally and as a whole body representing the state, and although the single gold standard plank was adopted, the delegation did not withdraw. Mr. Campbell was never in politics for office or official honors.

Taylor, William Alexander. Centennial History of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio. Volume II. Chicago-Columbus: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1909, pages 702-706.

This information was transcribed and posted on the Heritage Pursuit site.