Campbell, eldest child of John S. Lefors & Martha Jane Inglish, grandson of Samuel Lefors, was born in Dade County MO on 4/28/1939. When he was 11 years old his father moved to Bloomfield Ark. where the families of several of his uncles joined them, some having been to TX & returned. Campbell received some education, being able to read & write & do figures. Because of the sparse education available on the plains some of the uncles had to sign the deeds on leaving Dade Co. with their marks.

When the Civil War came the family was divided in allegience, his uncles James J & Thomas siding with the South & Campbell & his uncle Coll serving with the North. He was with the Colo Calvary 9/1/1864 - 12/29/1864.

On 10/7/1869 he married Rebecca Ellen Modrell (1853-1938). All 3 of their children were born on a farm about 2 miles from Bloomfield: Clara - 1870, John I - 1872 & May (Maie) - 1879.

Campbell was a staunch citizen & believed in law enforcement. In 1868 he became a constable at Bound Prairie & later also a deputy sheriff under his uncle W. C. Lefors. His brother James Madison was killed by a man named Sanders, who was never caught, probably having fled to TX. He became a Deputy US Marshall in 1877.

In the spring of 1883 Campbell started for another pioneer area - eastern Washington. The family traveled the Overland Trail in 2 covered wagons, Campbell driving one & his daughter Clara & his son John I driving the other. Clara celebrated her 13th birthday on the trip. John was the hunter on the trip. Prairie Dog was not popular. Clara talked many times of the abundance of game animals. They laid over 2 days at the hot springs at Thermopolis to rest themselves & their animals.

The family settled in Rock Creek Valley near Tekoa & lived on a farm for many years. Campbell again became a law officer, first a constable & later Justice of the Peace & was called Judge. He died 11/29/1916 & was given a military funeral by the G. A. R. & is buried in the Goldenrod Cemetery in Tekoa Washington. Rebecca Ellen was laid to rest beside him in 1938.

Name Campbell Lefors
Event Date 29 Nov 1916
Event Place Spokane, Spokane, Washington
Gender Male
Race (Original) w
Age (Formatted) 77 years 7 months 1 day
Birth Date 28 Apr 1839
Birthplace Dade Co., Missouri
Marital Status Married
Father's Name John Lefors
Father's Birthplace Missouri
Mother's Birthplace Missouri
Occupation Retired Farmer
Burial Place Tekoa, Wask.

NOTE:

US GenWeb Archives lists him in 2 places - on the first page under L. w/ dates 1838-28 Nov 1916 which they must've gotten by records as there's no dates on his stone & on the second under Old Sexton Record w/ name Lafers & evidently plot 6/24/3.