Simon Cameron
Encyclopedia
Simon Cameron was an American
politician who served as United States Secretary of War
for Abraham Lincoln
at the start of the American Civil War
. After making his fortune in railways and banking, he turned to a life of politics. He became a U.S. senator in 1845 for the state of Pennsylvania
, succeeding James Buchanan
. Originally a Democrat
, he failed to secure a nomination for senator from the Know-Nothing party, and joined the People's Party, the Pennsylvania branch of what became the Republican Party
. He won the Senate seat in 1857, and became one of the candidates for the Republican nomination in the presidential election of 1860
.
Cameron gave his support to Abraham Lincoln
, and became his Secretary of War
. He only served a year before resigning amidst corruption. Cameron became the minister to Russia during the Civil War, but was overseas for less than a year. He again served in the Senate, eventually being succeeded by his son, J. Donald Cameron
, and only resigned from the Senate upon confirmation that his son would succeed him.
, to Charles Cameron and Marth Pfoutz. He was orphan
ed at nine and later apprenticed to a printer
, Andrew Kennedy, editor of the Northumberland Gazette before entering the field of journalism
. He was editor
of the Bucks County Messenger in 1821. A year later, he moved to Washington, D.C.
, and studied political movement
s while working for the printing firm of Gales and Seaton. He married Margaret Brua and returned to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
where he purchased and ran the Republican in 1824.
Cameron served as state printer of Pennsylvania
from 1825 until 1827 and was state adjutant general
in 1826. He constructed several rail lines and merged them into the Northern Central Railway
. He founded the Bank of Middletown in 1832 and engaged in other business enterprises. In 1838, he was appointed as commissioner
to settle claims of the Winnebago Indians.
Cameron became a Whig Party member, and later a member of the Democratic Party, before being elected to replace James Buchanan
in the Senate
in 1844. He switched to the Republican Party and was nominated for President
, but gave his support to Abraham Lincoln
at the 1860 Republican National Convention
. Lincoln
, as part of a political bargain, named Cameron Secretary of War
. Because of allegations of corruption
, however, he was forced to resign early in 1862. His corruption was so notorious that a Pennsylvania congressman, Thaddeus Stevens
, when discussing Cameron's honesty with Lincoln, told Lincoln that "I don't think that he would steal a red hot stove". When Cameron demanded Stevens retract this statement, Stevens told Lincoln "I believe I told you he would not steal a red-hot stove. I will now take that back." He was succeeded by Edwin M. Stanton
, who had been serving as a legal advisor to the War Secretary. Cameron then served as United States Minister to Russia.
In 1866, Cameron was again elected to the Senate and served there until 1877, when on assurances from the Pennsylvania General Assembly
that his son, James Donald Cameron
, would be the successor to his seat, he resigned. His son had already been named as Secretary of War
in 1876.
near Maytown, Pennsylvania
where he died on June 26, 1889. He is buried in the Harrisburg Cemetery
in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
. Cameron County, Pennsylvania
and Cameron Parish, Louisiana
are named in his honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who served as United States Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
for Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
at the start of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. After making his fortune in railways and banking, he turned to a life of politics. He became a U.S. senator in 1845 for the state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, succeeding James Buchanan
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
. Originally a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he failed to secure a nomination for senator from the Know-Nothing party, and joined the People's Party, the Pennsylvania branch of what became the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. He won the Senate seat in 1857, and became one of the candidates for the Republican nomination in the presidential election of 1860
United States presidential election, 1860
The United States presidential election of 1860 was a quadrennial election, held on November 6, 1860, for the office of President of the United States and the immediate impetus for the outbreak of the American Civil War. The nation had been divided throughout the 1850s on questions surrounding the...
.
Cameron gave his support to Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
, and became his Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
. He only served a year before resigning amidst corruption. Cameron became the minister to Russia during the Civil War, but was overseas for less than a year. He again served in the Senate, eventually being succeeded by his son, J. Donald Cameron
J. Donald Cameron
James Donald Cameron was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as Secretary of War under Ulysses S. Grant and in the United States Senate for twenty years....
, and only resigned from the Senate upon confirmation that his son would succeed him.
Early life
Cameron was born in Maytown, PennsylvaniaMaytown, Pennsylvania
Maytown is a census-designated place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,604 at the 2000 census. Maytown is noted as the birthplace of 19th century politician Simon Cameron, who served in the Cabinet of President Abraham Lincoln.-Geography:Maytown is located at ...
, to Charles Cameron and Marth Pfoutz. He was orphan
Orphan
An orphan is a child permanently bereaved of or abandoned by his or her parents. In common usage, only a child who has lost both parents is called an orphan...
ed at nine and later apprenticed to a printer
Printer (publisher)
In publishing, printers are both companies providing printing services and individuals who directly operate printing presses. With the invention of the moveable type printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1450, printing—and printers—proliferated throughout Europe.Today, printers are found...
, Andrew Kennedy, editor of the Northumberland Gazette before entering the field of journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
. He was editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
of the Bucks County Messenger in 1821. A year later, he moved to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and studied political movement
Political movement
A political movement is a social movement in the area of politics. A political movement may be organized around a single issue or set of issues, or around a set of shared concerns of a social group...
s while working for the printing firm of Gales and Seaton. He married Margaret Brua and returned to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
where he purchased and ran the Republican in 1824.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
from 1825 until 1827 and was state adjutant general
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
in 1826. He constructed several rail lines and merged them into the Northern Central Railway
Northern Central Railway
The Northern Central Railway was a Class I Railroad connecting Baltimore, Maryland with Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Completed in 1858, the line came under the control of the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1861, when the PRR acquired a controlling interest in the Northern Central's stock to compete with the...
. He founded the Bank of Middletown in 1832 and engaged in other business enterprises. In 1838, he was appointed as commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
to settle claims of the Winnebago Indians.
Politics
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
in the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 1844. He switched to the Republican Party and was nominated for President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, but gave his support to Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
at the 1860 Republican National Convention
1860 Republican National Convention
The 1860 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States, held in Chicago, Illinois at the Wigwam, nominated former U.S. Representative Abraham Lincoln of Illinois for President and U.S. Senator Hannibal Hamlin of Maine for Vice President...
. Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
, as part of a political bargain, named Cameron Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
. Because of allegations of corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
, however, he was forced to resign early in 1862. His corruption was so notorious that a Pennsylvania congressman, Thaddeus Stevens
Thaddeus Stevens
Thaddeus Stevens , of Pennsylvania, was a Republican leader and one of the most powerful members of the United States House of Representatives...
, when discussing Cameron's honesty with Lincoln, told Lincoln that "I don't think that he would steal a red hot stove". When Cameron demanded Stevens retract this statement, Stevens told Lincoln "I believe I told you he would not steal a red-hot stove. I will now take that back." He was succeeded by Edwin M. Stanton
Edwin M. Stanton
Edwin McMasters Stanton was an American lawyer and politician who served as Secretary of War under the Lincoln Administration during the American Civil War from 1862–1865...
, who had been serving as a legal advisor to the War Secretary. Cameron then served as United States Minister to Russia.
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
that his son, James Donald Cameron
J. Donald Cameron
James Donald Cameron was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as Secretary of War under Ulysses S. Grant and in the United States Senate for twenty years....
, would be the successor to his seat, he resigned. His son had already been named as Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
in 1876.
Later life
Cameron retired to his farm at Donegal Springs Cameron EstateCameron Estate
The Cameron Estate was one of the five summer homes of Simon Cameron, President Lincoln's Secretary of War, and his family from 1872 to 1959. The Estate is in Lancaster County Pennsylvania and is often referred to as "Donegal".-History:...
near Maytown, Pennsylvania
Maytown, Pennsylvania
Maytown is a census-designated place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,604 at the 2000 census. Maytown is noted as the birthplace of 19th century politician Simon Cameron, who served in the Cabinet of President Abraham Lincoln.-Geography:Maytown is located at ...
where he died on June 26, 1889. He is buried in the Harrisburg Cemetery
Harrisburg Cemetery
Harrisburg Cemetery, formerly known as Mount Kalmia Cemetery, is a prominent cemetery and national historic district in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, located at 13th and Liberty streets in the Allison Hill/East Harrisburg neighborhoods of the city. It was officially founded in 1845, although...
in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. Cameron County, Pennsylvania
Cameron County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile . There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
and Cameron Parish, Louisiana
Cameron Parish, Louisiana
Cameron Parish is the parish with the most land area in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Cameron and as of 2010, the population was 6,839...
are named in his honor.
Quotes
- "An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought."
- "I am tired of all this sort of thing called science here... We have spent millions in that sort of thing for the last few years, and it is time it should be stopped." (on the Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, 1861)
See also
- Simon Cameron House and BankSimon Cameron House and BankSimon Cameron House and Bank consists of a historic home and bank building located at Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The house was built about 1833, and is a 2 1/2-story, 3-bay, brick building with a typical half-Georgian plan. Attached to the house is a 2 1/2-story, 3-bay, stone...
, Middletown, Pennsylvania - Simon Cameron HouseSimon Cameron HouseSimon Cameron House, also known as John Harris Mansion and the Harris Cameron Mansion is a site in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The structure is one of the oldest buildings in Harrisburg and has undergone numerous additions and significant renovations since it was first constructed in 1766...
, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - Simon Cameron SchoolSimon Cameron SchoolSimon Cameron School is a historic school building located at Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1896, and is a two-story, brick and frame building, with a hipped roof covered in slate shingles. It sits on a brownstone foundation. It is 12 bays wide and 8 bays deep, with an...
, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Further reading
- Bradley, Edwin Stanley. Simon Cameron, Lincoln's Secretary of War; a political biography. (1966)
External links
- Simon Cameron biography in Secretaries of War and Secretaries of the Army a publication of the United States Army Center of Military History
- Spartacus Educational: Simon Cameron
- Mathew Brady Studio: Simon Cameron
- biographic sketch at U.S. Congress website
- Biography at Lincoln Institute
- Mr. Lincoln and Friends: Simon Cameron
- The John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion