He represented Digby County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1859 to 1867 and from 1874 to 1878.
He was born in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, the son of Colin Campbell and Maria Taylor, and moved to Weymouth with his family soon afterwards.
Campbell established a general store at Weymouth and also became the owner of several ships.
He established a dry goods and grocery business at Weymouth with George Johnson in 1871.
Campbell was also president of the Weymouth Marine Insurance Company.