More: George W. Campbell

Apparently the Library of Congress owns a copy of our ancestor's picture, as part of its historic collection of Booker T. Washington papers.  This is what is indicated by the caption under George W. Campbell's likeness in the book: The Booker T. Washington Papers, Volume 2.

The business which was operated by our great-great-grandfather, other than his position as President of the Macon County Bank, was called Campbell & Wright.  Since the term merchant was applied to him, I imagine that the firm Campbell & Wright was engaged in some sort of retail trade.  Eliza Jane Wright Campbell's brother William Wright was the other partner in this operation.

I just found another fascinating fact about George W. Campbell and his brother-in-law William H. Wright.  In the book History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography (1921) by Thomas & Marie Owen, it is stated that these men and several others established the Tuskegee Railroad Company in 1860, with the object of connecting the town of Tuskegee to the Montgomery & West Point Railroad.  However, the Civil War interrupted this project, and the track was torn up during hostilities.  In addition, William Wright joined the Confederate cavalry in 1863; by the War's end he had been promoted to the rank of army Captain.

In 1871, the railway's "franchise and property" were sold to three parties who formed a partnership: E. T. Varner, Mrs. L. V. Alexander, and Campbell & Wright.  Their corporate name was E. T. Varner & Co.; with E. T. Varner serving as its president, G. W. Campbell as first vice-president, and Capt. W. H. Wright as secretary, treasurer, and general manager.  The railway project was completed, and the Tuskegee Railroad was put into operation effective January 1, 1872.  There were about seven miles of track, a locomotive engine, and six cars including one passenger car.  The total investment [cited in 1915] was $106,150, with no indebtedness.