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Vance: The Essays About the Book |
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J. Donald Cameron
J. Donald Cameron (1833-1918) was the son of General Simon Cameron and Margaret Brau. He had five siblings: Simon (1844-1908), who never married, Virginia (who later married Wayne MacVeigh), Rachel (later Rachel Burnside), Margaret (later Margaret Haldeman) and William (1826-1864), who married Elizabeth Bastedo.
He married Mary McCormick, and their children were: Mrs. Rachel C. Hale, Mrs. Eliza Bradley, Mrs. Margarette Clark, Mrs. Virginia Rodgers, Miss Mary Cameron, James McCormick Cameron, and two unnamed children, who died in infancy. He later married Elizabeth Sherman, with whom he had no children.
J. Donald was a tall and lanky man like his father -- measuring approximately six feet, three inches -- though less ambitious. However, this is perhaps a misleading statement, as Simon was known to juggle several successful careers at once, as builder of railroads and canals, builder of railroads, owner of manufacturing plants, investor and politician.
J. Donald did, however, still go into the family business. When Simon went into retirement, an election was held, and his Senate seat was given to his son (according to Cameron's opponents, the election was said to be so automatic that his opponents called the Legislature the "Cameron Transfer Company."). He was named Secretary of War in General Grant's cabinet.
A Princeton man, J. Donald was also, like his father, interested in transportation. He invested $5000 in improvements to the Uniion Canal running from Middletown to Reading, and was president of the Northern Central Railroad.
J. Donald was the famous Vance McCormick's uncle.
James Donald Cameron died in 1918.
This site is sponsored by the Center for Pennsylvania Cultural Studies at the Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg, in cooperation with the Historical Society of Dauphin County, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Director of the McCormick Family Papers Project at the Center is Professor Michael Barton.Learn more about the Center, and the program that sponsors this project
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