[1] In 1849 Campbell set out for California, traveling via Vera Cruz and Mazatlán before reaching the confluence of the Colorado and Gila rivers in July.
There he built a raft and took the Colorado River south to La Paz, Arizona Territory, arriving in December.
[3] Campbell was elected to represent Yavapai County in the council (upper house) of the 5th Arizona Territorial Legislature but did not attend the session.
[10] Campbell positioned himself as a "free and Independent" candidate capable of serving the interests of Arizona residents.
[10] Claims of election fraud followed Campbell's victory, with the candidate being accused of using livestock, whiskey, and cash to buy the votes of "all who were willing to sacrifice their manhood for such trash.
"[11] It was further accused that a Catholic priest in Yuma "was out electioneering and walking his subjects to the polls as he would drive so many sheep, and all in the interest of 'our' Campbell.
"[11] Judge Charles Silent oversaw a grand jury investigation that found insufficient evidence to issue any indictments.
[10] Campbell made a business stop in San Francisco and visited family in Brooklyn, New York before the 46th United States Congress began on March 18, 1879.
[12] In addition to the normal introductions to other members of Congress, the new delegate gave a presentation on the situation in Arizona to 150 potential immigrants to the territory on April 6, 1879.
[14] Campbell's only appearance in the Congressional Record came during a debate about which committee should handle a bill he introduced to allow the territorial legislature to override a veto.
"[15] By the time the election of 1880 began, both the Democrats and Republicans were better organized within Arizona and each held their first successful territorial nominating conventions.
[11] When Campbell arrived at the Democratic convention, he was ill and as a result confined to his hotel room.
[17] With the inauguration of President Grover Cleveland in 1885, Campbell submitted an application to become Arizona Territorial Governor but was not selected.
[20] In 1894, Campbell sold his store and used the proceeds to build a hotel in Prescott, the Depot House.
[21] On June 9, 1891, Campbell filed a claim for reparations for losses he had suffered during an Indian raid in November 1868.