His father, Colonel John Campbell, J.P.,(1770-1827), who was related by marriage to Governor Lachlan Macquarie, then established Bungarribee estate on the road between Sydney and Parramatta.
In 1839 he joined with several other young gentlemen, namely Evelyn Sturt, James Stein, and William Hardy of Yass to overland 5,000 sheep from Bathurst to Adelaide.
In 1842, in connection with Henry Strong Price, he established the first sheep and cattle run on the Hill River, near Clare, which was managed by a resident stock keeper, William Roach.
Roach's confrontations with Aboriginals continued there, until in February 1845 at Campbell's Adelaide home he was killed through falling from a horse while intoxicated.
Lochend was built of local river stone and included a stucco porch, hall and living room with a finely moulded ceiling.
It is thought that Campbell had bought land from his brother Charles Sturt in New South Wales in early 1838 (requires confirmation).
Campbell became very well known in the early days of South Australia, partially through his relationship with prominent people like Sturt, but also through his community involvement.
[7] While the new homestead at that location overlooked the fertile River Murray valley, the surrounding country was an extensive semi-arid plain of bluebush with belts of mallee scrub.
Campbell died there on 5 March 1859 of blood poisoning from a minor cut to hand caused by a piece of glass, which subsequently turned septic.
Campbell's influence on his beloved Campbelltown was immense and lasted well past his departure from the area and subsequent untimely death.