Stella Campbell, a free spirit

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Stella Campbell, mother of S Verdi Campbell and Ruby Campbell, is likely the sister of George Scott Campbell.  Stella lived in St. Louis, MO when her daughter, Ruby Rendl Campbell was born.  I believe that she continued to live there when her son, S Verdi Campbell was born about a year later.

Stella was described as a "free spirit".  She did not believe in marriage and spoke of "free love", often giving speaks on her beliefs.  She "home schooled" her two children and must have been a very smart if not outspoken woman for her time.  I believe the time frame is the early 1900's when Stella had her children.  It is believed that Mr. Steel was the father of her second child, S Verdi Campbell, a son. In later years, Ruby had to go to court to provide a "deposition" that her father was NOT Mr. Steel but a Mr. Rendl. 

Both Ruby and Verdi sang in a semi-professional opera company, Ruby may have played a more prominent role than her brother who was a member of the chorus. 

A review of the 1880 Missouri Census provided these possible matches for Stella Campbell:

Most Likely - lists a George Campbell (we believe her brother was George Campbell).

District 9, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

Henry Ballauf, janitor, male, married, age 38 born: Germany
Kate ", keep house, female, married, age 36 born: Canada
John ", son, male, age 10 born: MO
O. W. Bexton, printer, other, age 35
M. Wilson, shoe maker, age 40, Ireland M: Ireland F: Ireland
Virginia Campbell, keeping house, age 45, born NY
Stella Campbell, age 20, born MO F: -- M: NY
George Campbell, laborer, age 18, born MO F: -- M: NY
Ocar Ehlers, student, age 20, born MO f: Ger M: Ger
Soloman Belen, student, age 24 born MO f: MO m: MO
J. D. Tayler, student, age 20, born TX F: AL M: GA
Hiram Beadle, physician, age 52, born NY, f: NY, M: NY
Lowe, unknown, age 55

Wishlist for Stella:

• Birth and death information

• Photos

• More stories