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This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography, including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 425-426
HON. JOHN CAMPBELL, the present register of deeds of Hand county, South
Dakota, and a prominent citizen of Miller, has been and is distinctively a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide
influence. A strong mentality, an invincible courage, a most determined individuality have so entered into his make-up as to render him a
natural leader of men and a director of public opinion. His city and county may well accord honor to him.
A native of Scotland, Mr. Campbell was born August 16, 1839, and is a
son of Robert and Catherine (Tait) Campbell, who emigrated to Canada in 1854 and there spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in
896, the mother in 1894. They were farming people. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land and came to America in 1852. He
was a sailor and followed the Great Lakes as such for thirty years, being captain of a vessel part of the time. He left the lakes in 1883
and the following year came to Hand county, South Dakota, where he took up a claim and engaged in farming until the fall of 1896, when he was
elected register of deeds.
In 1864, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Mary Tait, a
native of Canada, and they have one daughter, Edith. They belong to the Presbyterian church and are held in high respect and esteem by all who
know them. Socially, Mr. Campbell affiliates with the Masonic order, and politically is identified with the Populist party. He was one of
the founders of the party in this state and in 1887 ran for representative to the legislature on the Labor ticket. In 1891 and
again in 1893 he was elected to that office and most ably represented Hand county in the lower house. He has served as a member of the county
and state central committee of his party, and as a pioneer of this region, he assisted in organizing Ontario township, Hand county, and
was chairman of the board of supervisors for many years. He is one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of his community, and
has ever given his support to all enterprises which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit.
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