History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/Frank T. Campbell
FRANK T. CAMPBELL was born on the 8th of May, 1836, in the State of Ohio. He received a good education and in 1856 moved to Newton, Iowa, where for several years he, with his brother A. K. Campbell, published the Newton Journal. In 1869, Frank T. was elected on the Republican ticket member of the State Senate. In that body he was one of the leading advocates of legislation fixing, by law a tariff for railroad freight charges. He had carefully prepared for the leadership in that first energetic attempt by the Iowa Legislature to regulate by law railroad charges, and was able to meet and successfully overcome objections raised by the attorneys of the corporations. Under his judicious management the famous legislation was successfully carried through which became known as the “Grange Laws.” He served in the Senate eight years and in the fall of 1877 was nominated by the Republican State Convention for the office of Lieutenant-Governor. He was elected serving with marked ability as President of the Senate for four years. In 1888 he was appointed by Governor Larrabee Railroad Commissioner for the term of three years. The Twenty-second General Assembly, having provided for the election of the Commissioners, Mr. Campbell was elected in November to serve three years from January, 1889. He removed to Des Moines which has since been his residence.