The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-12-29
Simon Cameron.

ten. Simon Cameron was born in Lam
caster county, Pennsylvania. Reverses and
misfortanes in his fathers family cast him
very early in life OH the world, to shape and
carve out his own fortune. After having re-
moved to Sunbury in Northumberland coun-
ty, his father died while Simon was vet a
little boy. In 1717 he came to Harrisburg
and bound himself as an apprentice to the
printing business, to James Peacock. ESQ.
who is still resident of Harrisburg. and one
Of our most worthy and respected citizens
During this time be won the regard and es-
TEEN of Mr.. Peacock and all his fellow-work-
men by his correct department, his industry,
and faithfulness. His days were devoted to
labor and his nights to study. Having conn.,
| peted his apprenticeship, he went to Wash
ington city, and was employed as Journey
man printer, on the National Iateiligencer,
under Gales & Seaton, between whom and
Gen. Cameron there sprung up friendship
that has continued till the present day.
When elected to the United States Senate
as Democrat, he always voted for tlese
gentlemen as printers to the Senate, even
against candidates of his own party. Return
ing to Harrisburg, he purchased an interest
in the PENNSYLVANIA hatslligeRcsr, and thus
within two years of the termination ofhis ap-
premiership he was part proprietor and e,li-
tor of the paper upon which he he'd lea' ned
his trade, and the leading Democratic Jour-
nal in the State.
And whoever will examine the editorials
of that paner, written more than thirty years
ago, by Gen. c., cannot fail TO discover
marked degree Of ability and sagacitv dis
played by the young editor. His fortune,
whatever it may be, is the result of his in
dustry and unaided enterprise; for except
loan of $500 when he began business, from
a relative, himself comparatively poor, he
never had pecuniary assistance from any one
That relative still lives, very aged man.
whom Gen. c. has for more than forty years
visited annually, as a dut-.
In 1924, though scarcely of competent age,
he had attained such position and inhuen: e,
that his partv, then in the ascenlennp in the
| Congressiona, district, proposed to nominate
him for Congress, an honor which he
prolnptty declined, as interfering with the
enterprise in which he was then enga~ed. -
He was annorrlreu attiutrrr, ,5t,,rr,,r7ti r,-
State in 1928, an office which he filed cred
itably and acceptablv during Gov. Shulta's $
term. And in 1881, uosoIced, he was ap-
pointed by Gen. JACKSON, as a visitor TO
West Point, compliment, at that tine.
rendered only to the most prominent citi-
zens,
To no single man within her borders is
Pennsylvania more indebted for her great
systems of public improvements and public
instruction, Through his paper, and by his
personal eSertions and influence. he sus-
tanned and encouraged these great means OF
wealth and progress. Nor did he hesitate TO
invest his own means, when prosperity and
/ fortune dawned upon him, in ent."prises of
great public inportllce. In 1894 he or
! iginated and carried to successful completion
| the Harwisburg, Mount JOY and Lancaster
/ Railroad, surnouating difficulties and preiu-
dices which would have appalled, and paral-
yzed a man of ordinary energy and deter
mination. I'm 1888 he was nominated for
/ Congress. but declined He was engaged in
public enterprises from which he would not
/ hermit himself TO be drawn aside, bv any
: cohSid iu7r7" --fii-,a or personal elevation
| In 1851, he was main'y instrumenra, . a., .
/ formation Of the Susquehanna Railroad Com
pany, now consolidated with the Northern
Central Railway, by which the upper valies
of the Susquehanna are connected with the
capital of the State, and all of our improve
mentS, with those of the State of New York.
There was still another link wanting to form
a direct and continuous Railroad from this
point to New York city, the great CONNER.
cial metropolis of the Union. Gen. Gamer
on's practical mind soon suggested the mode
and manner ofsupplying this want; and the
Lebanon Valley Railroad Company was or
ganizei and that road built, and now con
solidated with the Philadelphia and Reading
Railroad
In 1882, Gen. Cameron was elected Cash
ier ofthe Middletown Bank, position which
he held for twenty seven consecutive years.
So that about the year 1854, he was at the
same time President Of the Susauahanna
Railroad Company, President of the Lebanon
! Valley Railroad Company, President of the
Commonwealth Insurance Company, and
Cashier Of the M,ddletown Bank, basi les be-
ing director and manager in several other in
stitutions, and large private business OF
his own to manage and supcrintcnd. Yet
notwithstanding the vast labor and respon-
sibility of these positions, he performed the
duties of them all satisfactorily and success
fully.
| When Mr.. Buchanan was called into Pres
ident Polk's Cabinet IN 1915, Hon Georgc
w. Woodward was the caucus nominee oi
the Democratic party, as his successor, and
that party had majority of 7 or Is on john
ballot, yet Gen. Cameron, by the joint votes
of Wings and Democrats, was elected to tho