Difference between revisions of "J. Donald Cameron"
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Cameron was born in Middleton, Pennsylvania (located in Dauphin County) to Simon Cameron and the former Margaret Brua. One of several children, he attended the College of New Jersey (known today as [[Princeton University]]),<ref name=explorepabio>[https://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-3AF J. Donald Cameron Historical Marker]. ''ExplorePAhistory.com''. Retrieved December 21, 2021.</ref> where he graduated in 1852 and proceeded to receive a graduate degree three years later. Afterwards, Cameron became a cashier and bank clerk in Middleton for some period of time.<ref name=nytobit/> | Cameron was born in Middleton, Pennsylvania (located in Dauphin County) to Simon Cameron and the former Margaret Brua. One of several children, he attended the College of New Jersey (known today as [[Princeton University]]),<ref name=explorepabio>[https://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-3AF J. Donald Cameron Historical Marker]. ''ExplorePAhistory.com''. Retrieved December 21, 2021.</ref> where he graduated in 1852 and proceeded to receive a graduate degree three years later. Afterwards, Cameron became a cashier and bank clerk in Middleton for some period of time.<ref name=nytobit/> | ||
| − | + | During the [[American Civil War]], Cameron maintained supervision over the transportation of Union troops over the Northern Central Railroad, an enterprise run by his father.<ref name=explorepabio/> In the post-war years from 1866 to 1874, he was the president of the Pennsylvania Northern Central Railroad Company. | |
==Political career== | ==Political career== | ||
Revision as of 23:27, December 21, 2021
James Donald Cameron (May 14, 1833 – August 30, 1918), also known as Don Cameron,[1] was a Republican from Pennsylvania who served as the state's U.S. senator from two decades, spanning 1877 to 1897. A leader in GOP machine politics, he aligned with the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party,[2] staunchly supporting business interests and civil rights for blacks.
Background
Cameron was born in Middleton, Pennsylvania (located in Dauphin County) to Simon Cameron and the former Margaret Brua. One of several children, he attended the College of New Jersey (known today as Princeton University),[3] where he graduated in 1852 and proceeded to receive a graduate degree three years later. Afterwards, Cameron became a cashier and bank clerk in Middleton for some period of time.[1]
During the American Civil War, Cameron maintained supervision over the transportation of Union troops over the Northern Central Railroad, an enterprise run by his father.[3] In the post-war years from 1866 to 1874, he was the president of the Pennsylvania Northern Central Railroad Company.
Political career
From 1876 to 1877, Cameron served as Secretary of War under the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant.
U.S. Senate
In 1877, Cameron became a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania following the resignation of his father. Despite obtaining such an important post in addition to assuming leadership of the elder Cameron's political machine, his political skills were lacking, in addition to charisma.[4]
During the 1880 presidential election, Cameron served as the chairman of the Republican National Committee. Aligned with congressional conservative Stalwarts led by Roscoe Conkling,[2] he supported nominating former president Grant to run for an unprecedented, non-consecutive third term.[5]
Later in the 1880s, Cameron's leadership role in the Pennsylvania machine was replaced by that of Matthew S. Quay, who proved to surpass the former in influence and capabilities.[4]
In the 1896–97 elections, Cameron declined to run for another term due to the increasing intraparty power of Quay.[1]
Later life and death
In 1914 at the age of eighty-one, Cameron left four million dollars into a trust fund for his children and grandchildren.[6]
On August 30, 1918, Cameron died in his country home "Donegal" at the age of eighty-five, having been stricken with paralysis for three weeks and remaining unconscious for a period of time.[1] He is interred at Harrisburg Cemetery.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 August 31, 1918. DON CAMERON DIES; 20 YEARS A SENATOR; Once Republican Leader of Pennsylvania, Aged 85, Spent Last Days on His Farm. GRANT'S WAR SECRETARY In Business He Started as Clerk in His Father's Bank--His $4,000,000 Estate in Trust. Mme. Helen von Doenhoff. The New York Times. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 James Garfield (1831-1881). The Latin Library. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J. Donald Cameron Historical Marker. ExplorePAhistory.com. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 August 11, 2019. Matthew Quay: The Political Boss Who Made Two Presidents! Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ↑ Weisberger, Bernard A. James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur. Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ↑ December 23, 1914. $4,000,000 TRUST FUND FOR CAMERON HEIRS; Ex. Senator Provides That Income Shall be Divided Among Children and Grandchildren. The New York Times. Retrieved December 21, 2021.