J. Donald Cameron
James Donald Cameron (May 14, 1833 – August 30, 1918) was an American banker, businessman and Republican politician who served as Secretary of War in the cabinet of President Ulysses S. Grant from 1876 to 1877 and represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate from 1877 to 1897. Cameron succeeded his father, Simon Cameron, in both offices and as boss of the powerful Pennsylvania Republican political machine.
J. Donald Cameron
Cameron was raised and educated near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Princeton College, Cameron worked in the banking and railroad industries.
In May 1876, Cameron was appointed Secretary of War as part of a cabinet reshuffle by President Ulysses S. Grant, following the impeachment and resignation of William W. Belknap and a brief tenure by Secretary Alphonso Taft, whom Grant made Attorney General. Cameron's father served in the same office under President Abraham Lincoln.[1][a] During Cameron's tenure, the military was challenged by the Great Sioux War and by the threat of a second Southern secession after the controversial 1876 election of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Cameron proved to be an energetic administrator and his appointment as Secretary of War launched his lengthy political career in the Senate.
After leaving the cabinet, Cameron was elected Senator by the Pennsylvania legislature, under the control of Senator Simon Cameron, his father. Cameron served as Pennsylvania's U.S. Senator from 1877 to 1897, and as chairman on two powerful Senate committees.
After leaving the Senate, Cameron worked in various industrial businesses until his death in 1918. Cameron was the last surviving cabinet member of the Grant Administration.
Early life[edit]
James Donald Cameron was born on May 14, 1833, in Middletown, Pennsylvania, in the family home, the first-born son of Simon Cameron, the 26th Secretary of War under President Abraham Lincoln and a powerful Pennsylvania politician. Cameron's mother was Margaret Brua. Cameron was commonly referred to as "Don." Having received his elementary education in Harrisburg, Cameron enrolled in Princeton College (today Princeton University); he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1852 and received a Master of Arts degree in 1855.[2]
Banking and railroad career[edit]
After leaving Princeton, Cameron's father Simon placed Cameron as a clerk at the successful Middleton Bank; whose main investments were in the iron, coal, and lumber businesses of Pennsylvania.[2] Cameron worked his way up to being cashier and then president of the bank. As an executive of the Northern Central Railway during the American Civil War, Cameron managed the flow of supplies and soldiers from the northeastern states to Washington, D.C., and Virginia, including efforts to keep the railroad open despite Confederate attempt to damage or destroy it. From 1866 to December 1874 Cameron was president of the Northern Central.[2] As bank president, Cameron was able to improve the financial condition of the railroad. After leaving the Railroad, Cameron worked in various industrial enterprises in Pennsylvania.[2]
Later career[edit]
After not being a candidate for reelection in 1896, Cameron engaged in several business enterprises in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Death and burial[edit]
Cameron died on August 30, 1918, at his country home called "Donegal" (Cameron Estate) in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Cameron was interred at Harrisburg Cemetery in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Cameron was the last surviving Cabinet member of the Grant Administration.
Historical reputation[edit]
Cameron was part of a political family dynasty started by his father Simon Cameron carrying on his legacy as Secretary of War and U.S. Senator. Cameron's ascendancy to Secretary of War, was started when a Democratic controlled House launched an investigation in 1876 into Secretary of War William W. Belknap, who abruptly resigned office over bribery charges. Succeeding Alphonso Taft as Secretary of War, Cameron was in charge of the Great Sioux War and the controversial Election of 1876, that almost caused a second civil war. Cameron was part of a transitional period when civilian control was reestablished over the War Department during the end of Reconstruction. As Senator, Cameron was known as a quiet, but powerful, political boss during the Gilded Age, who supported African American voting rights. Cameron followed in his father Simon's footsteps, protecting the railroad interests of the PPR, in control of Pennsylvania Republican Party politics. [12]
According to Cameron's biographer Howard Meneely, Cameron "made politics, not statesmanship, his principle public business."[11] However, Meneely admired Cameron for breaking from the rest of his party and opposing the African American 1890 voting rights legislation, "Force Bill", saying that Cameron "showed admirable and courageous independence," and demonstrating the racist tendencies common among historians of the era. [11] Meneely concluded that Cameron was "[t]horoughly honest in personal matters" and "held in high regard by his friends". [11] As a political boss, Cameron "took over the active management" of Pennsylvania's political machine created by his father, and "with the aid of lieutenants like Matthew Quay ran it skillfully and defiantly as long as he remained in public life." [10]
On April 17, 1913, the 17th Amendment was ratified that mandated the popular vote to elect U.S. Senators, rather than being chosen by state legislatures.[14] The Senate by this time was known as a "Millionaires Club" and political machines, such as the one Cameron ran in Pennsylvania, controlled who would be elected Senator.[14]
Elizabeth Cameron, second wife of Senator Donald Cameron, Pa, ca. 1890 and ca. 1910
Rachel Cameron, daughter of Senator Donald Cameron, Pa, ca. 1896
Martha Cameron, daughter of Senator Donald Cameron, Pa, ca. 1896
