The Campbell family was originally from Scotland. Thomas and Almira had seven children: five daughters, one son, and a child who died in infancy. The infant, 10 months, was unnamed and died in Grand Forks on September 8, 1878. Elizabeth Louise married Allan Archibald Bain and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Geneva, age 17, died in Grand Forks on August 13, 1898. Their only son, Thomas Jr., attended Grand Forks schools and graduated valedictorian from Central High School in 1898. Thomas moved on to the Upper Canada College, a preparatory school in Toronto, Ontario. Upon his return to Grand Forks, he attended the University of North Dakota and received its first mechanical engineering degree in 1904. After UND, Thomas went on to obtain a master’s degree from Cornell University. Thomas would eventually become known as the “Wheat King,” owing large tracts of land in Montana and New Mexico. Thomas also became a Brigadier General during World War II. Katie Florence, age 5, died in Grand Forks on January 7, 1889. Sarah Ethel later moved to Toronto, Ontario. Gracie Florence, age 12, died in Perth, Ontario on August 9, 1903. The children who died in Grand Forks were buried in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Thomas Campbell and Almira (Richards) Campbell immigrated to Grand Forks, North Dakota, from Perth, Ontario, Canada, in 1875. The Campbell’s homesteaded on 80 acres of land and built a sod house to the south of the town of Grand Forks, along today’s Belmont Road. They later updated to a larger house, which is preserved and located on the Myra Museum property along Belmont Road.
Thomas Campbell (age 28, from Dakota Territory) was married to Elmira Richards (age 24, from Drummond Township, Lanark County, Ontario) on March 1, 1876. Thomas Campbell’s parents were John and Sarah Campbell. Elmira Richards’ parents were Henry and Catharine Richards.
Thos. Campbell. Came to Grand Forks in ’72. He came down from Georgetown on a flat boat. He has been one of the successful ones among the pioneers and is extensively interested in farm lands and other property. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Friday Morning, December 11, 1891, Volume XXI, Number 35, Page 2)
Thomas Campbell and James Mulligan were appointed (first) constables (of Grand Forks County in 1875)… (History of Grand Forks County with Special Reference to the First Ten Years of Grand Forks City, H. V. Arnold, Larimore Pioneer, Larimore, North Dakota, 1900, Page 54)
Several land entries were made in this section of Grand Forks county, now called Turtle River township, when the Land Office was at Pembina, by Thos. Campbell, William Cochrane and Angus McDonald, then residing at Grand Forks. (History of Grand Forks County with Special Reference to the First Ten Years of Grand Forks City, H. V. Arnold, Larimore Pioneer, Larimore, North Dakota, 1900, Page 100)
The Campbell family was originally from Scotland. Thomas and Almira had four daughters and one son. Two of their daughters died when they were children, Katie (January 7, 1889) and Florence (date unknown). Another daughter, Geneva, died in 1918. All three were buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks. A fourth daughter, Elizabeth, married and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Their only son, Thomas Jr., was born on February 19, 1882. He attended Grand Forks schools and graduated valedictorian from Central High School in 1898. Thomas moved on to the Upper Canada College, a preparatory school in Toronto, Ontario. Upon his return to Grand Forks, he attended the University of North Dakota and received the first engineering degree from UND in 1904.
Yesterday Mr. Thomas Campbell sold his farm known as the “Home Farm,” situated near the Holes property, and consisting of 160 acres, to H. G. Stone, president of the First National Bank of this city, for $24,000 cash. The sale created considerable breeze in real estate circles and speculation was rife concerning the object and intention of the purchaser. On being called on, President Stone imparted a piece of news which will be received with the greatest pleasure by every citizen of Grand Forks. The object of the purchase is to furnish depot grounds and terminal facilities for a projected railroad (Grand Forks and Missouri Valley Railroad) which will commence at Grand Forks… (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday, March 4, 1882, Page 1)
1885 Dakota Territory census records show Thomas Campbell (age 37, farmer) married to Almira (age 35). The Campbell children were Geneva (age 6), Thomas D. (age 4), and Kate (age 2). The family resided in Grand Forks, Dakota Territory.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Campbell of Grand Forks, North Dakota are visiting friends in Perth and Drummond. They are both natives of Drummond and left here 25 years ago for the west. Mr. Campbell has both farmed and speculated and has prospered in both. Mrs. Campbell is a daughter of the late Henry Richards of Drummond. They will remain here for a few weeks before returning. (Perth Courier, Friday, January 21, 1898)
The beautiful residence of Mrs. William Mcn. (McNairn) Shaw, corner of Drummond and Foster Streets, has been sold to Thomas Campbell of North Dakota who will take possession shortly and make material alterations on the premises. Mr. Campbell is a wealthy man and we are glad to see such a fine property pass into the hands of one competent to keep it up in its accustomed order and condition. As we mentioned last week Mr. Campbell is a former resident of Drummond. (Perth Courier, Friday, January 28, 1898)
Thomas Campbell of Grand Forks has made another purchase in town that of the lot of Mrs. Archibald Campbell with the frame buildings on Foster Street nearly opposite his recent purchase from Mrs. McN. (McNairn) Shaw. (Perth Courier, Friday, February 18, 1898)
We learn that Thomas Campbell who lately left here for Grand Forks, Dakota to superintend putting in the crop on his big farm has sown 1,500 acres of wheat. This was put in at the rate of 100 acres a day—15 days altogether. Mr. Campbell does everything by method and doubtless using the most improved machinery made. It was a great work. (Perth Courier, Friday, April 29, 1898)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Campbell and family returned from Grand Forks, Dakota on Saturday and are preparing to occupy their new home Victoria Hall. (Perth Courier, Friday, May 13, 1898)
After his retirement, Thomas and Almira moved back to Perth, Ontario, around 1900.
Thomas Campbell died June 15, 1910 (age 63 years and two months) in Ontario. His father’s name was John Campbell, from Scotland. His mother was also from Scotland.
N. D. PIONEER PASSES AWAY. Thomas Campbell Died Yesterday Afternoon at Home in Perth, Ont. Had Been Resident of This County From 1876 Until Ten Years Ago When He Retired and Returned to Perth, Ont., to Spend Remaining Days Known and Respected by Scores of People in This Section. Thomas Campbell, aged 65 years, one of the pioneer residents of this county, died suddenly at Perth, Ont., yesterday afternoon (June 15, 1910), the sad news of his demise being received here by his son, Manager Thomas D. Campbell of the state railway company. The telegram reached here too late in the evening for Mr. Campbell to take the train and attend the funeral, but he expects to make the trip to Ontario in the course of a week or two. The deceased leaves a wife and three children, Thomas D. Campbell of this city and Elizabeth and Sadie Campbell, who are at home, they being the survivors of a family of seven.
Thomas Campbell was born in Scotland and came with his parents to this country when he was a mere baby. His parents settled at Perth, Ont., where he grew to manhood. In 1869, Mr. Campbell came to the western part of the United States and homesteaded near Crookston. In 1876, he came to Grand Forks and settled here permanently until ten years ago, when with Mrs. Campbell and their two daughters, he returned to the home of his childhood to spend his declining years. Until last year, Mr. Campbell paid frequent visits to Grand Forks, but a year ago he suffered a paralytic stroke and since that time has had several attacks of severe sickness, the paralytic stroke being the indirect cause of his death yesterday afternoon. The end came suddenly and somewhat unexpectedly. During his residence in Grand Forks county Mr. Campbell was recognized as a man of sterling worth and business integrity and has hosts of friends in this section who will regret to learn of his death. He was one of the largest land holders in Grand Forks county and was eminently successful in his chosen occupation, that of farming. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Morning, June 16, 1910, Volume XXIX, Number 194, Page 10)
DEATH. At Winnipeg, Manitoba, Thursday March 8th, 1923, Almira Richards, widow of the late Thomas Campbell, aged 72 years. A daughter of the late Henry Richards. She was born in Drummond Township and married in 1876. They lived in North Dakota for many years, and on returning lived in Winnipeg and Toronto before moving to Perth. Three daughters are deceased. The surviving family are; one son, Thomas Campbell of Pasadena, CA; and two daughters; Sadie and Mrs. A. A. Bain of Toronto. Her sisters and brothers that remain are; Mrs. Jas. McIntyre of Hamilton, Mrs. A. Affleck of Lanark Village, Robert Richards of Edmonton; and H. C. Richards of New York. Burial on Friday in Elmwood Cemetery. (Lanark Era, Volume 3, Page 115)