Donald Campbell

Donald Campbell was born in Huron County, Ontario, Canada on September 9, 1865.  His father, Colin Campbell, was a member of the clan of Campbells whose chief was the Duke of Argyl, the largest landowner in Scotland.

In 1885 Donald took up his residence in Griggs County.  He farmed 1000 acres in Bartley Township, two and one half miles from Hannaford, North Dakota and raised and imported pure-bred Clydesdale and Percheron horses.  His residence and barns were considered one of the finest in the state.

In 1905 Mr. Campbell sold his threshing outfit to J. B. Armstrong, Ole Fogderud, Andrew Fortney, and August Palm.  He had been in the threshing business for twenty years.

Donald Campbell was President of the Citizens State Bank of Hannaford, which he helped organize.  He also held several Township offices.

He was married twice.  His first wife was Miss Jennie Peterson who he married in 1896 at Hannaford.  She passed away and in 1904 he married Miss Seva Kins of Buffalo County, Wisconsin.  Two children were born to each union - Gordon and Norman to the first and Douglas and Annie to the second.  The family attended the Presbyterian Church at Hannaford.

In the fall of 1914 Mr. Campbell sold his property in Griggs County.  The sale was a large one - even the train stopped near his buildings to bring people from all over.

Then he moved back to his old home in Ontario, Canada.  Yet so vivid was his personality and so great the influence he had upon the current affairs during his residence here that when word was received that he had died, it seemed to all of us who knew him that we had lost a dear personal friend.  He had lived in Griggs County for thirty years and the work he accomplished will be felt for years to come.  He was President of the North Dakota Livestock Association and his work on the County and State Fair Boards exerted an influence on the development of all kinds of pure-bred stock in the state.

He passed away at Mitchell, Ontario on March 24, 1927 of heart trouble.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976  page 219