The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-12-28

III is indiSputaDiy true that Senator Gam
eron holds strong position as q candidate
for the Republican nomination to the Presi-
dency. II ia conceded that Pennsylvania and
Illinois will form the battle ground Of the
next campaign, and Pennsylvania herself
has 81 votes, her change from one side to
the other making difference Of 81. The
location, the remarkable energy, and the
home influence of Mr. Cameron greatly favor
him.
As . possible candidate, we give the fol-
lowing biography Of him, which appears in
the Harrisburg Telegraph of q late date:
Gen. Simon Cameron was born in Lancas.
ter county, Pennsylvania. Rsverses and
misfortunes in his fathers family cast him
very early 10 life on the world, 70 shape and
carve out his own fortune. After having
county, his father died while Simon was vet
boy. In 1917 he came to Harrisburg and
bound himself as an apprentice to the print
ing business, to James Peacock, Esq, who
10 still resident of Harrisburg, and one OF
our most worthy and respected citixens,--
During this time he won the regard and es-
TEEN Of MIR. Peacock and all bis fellow work
men by his correct department, his industry,
intelligence and faithfulness. His days were
devoted to labor and his nights TO study.
Having completed his apprenticeship, he went
to Washington city. and was employed AZ .
journeyman printer, on the National Intelli-
gencer, under Gales d Seaton, between whom
and Gen. Cameron there sprung up friend
ship that has continued till the present day.
When elected to the United States Senate az
Democrat, he always voted for these gen.
tlemen as printers to the Senate, even against
candidates OF his own party. Returning to
| Harrisburg, be purchased an interest in the
Pennsylvania Intelligencer, and thus within
| two years Of the termination OF bis Appren-
| ticeship he was part proprietor and editor of
the paper upon which be had learned his
trade, and the leading Democratic journal in
the State.
o And whoever will examine the editorials
| Of that paper written more than thirty yeare
| ago, by Gen. g., cannot fail to discover q
marked degree of ability and sagacity dis
played blythe young editor. His fortune,
whatever it may be, is the result OF his in
dustry and unaided enterprise; for except q
loan Of $500 when he began business, from
q relative, himself comparatively poor, he
never had peeuniary assistance from any one.
That relative still lives, very aged man,
whom Gen. @. has for more than 40 years
visited annually, rs duty.
In 1924, though scarcely of competent age,
he had attained such position and influence,
that his party. then in the ascendancy in the
Congressional district, proposed to nominate
him for Congress, an honor which he prompt.
~ declined, as interfering with the enterpris,
> in which he was then engaged. He was APP.
pointed Adjutant General of the State Ii
1928, an Office which he filled creditably ane
acceptably during Gov. Shultz's term. Ant
in 1881, unsolicited, he was appointed b,
, Gen. jackson, as q visitor TO West Point,
compliment, at that time, rendered only Il
, the most prominent citizens.
To no single man within her borders /
Pennsylvania more indebted for her grea
: systems of public improvements and publ
. instruction. Through bis paper, and by hi
|, personal exertions and influence, be sustaine
, and encouraged these great means Of wealt
= and progress. Nor did he hesitate to inves
q his own means, when prosperity and forum
: dawned upon him, in enterprises of grea
public Importance. In 1884 he originate
and carried to successful completion, th
Harrisburg, Mount Joy aad Lancaster Rail
y road, surmounting difficulties and prejudice
q which would have appalled, and paralysed
!. man of ordinary energy and determination
In 1888 be was nominated for Congress, blu
declined. He was engaged in public enter
70 prises from which he would not permit him
= self TO be drawn aside by any consideration
A Of Office or personal elevation. In 1851 b
was mainly Instrumental in the formation Q
the Susquehanna Railroad Company, no
consolidated with the Northern Central Raj
way, by which the upper valles Of the Sus
/ abar al 80 ~ -
the State, and all Of our improvements wit
= those of the State Of New York. There wa
or still another link wanting to form a dire,
80 and continuous railroad from this point
:. New York city, the great commercial metroy
~ oils of the Union. Gen. Cameron's practicl
mind soon suggested the mode and mann,
Of supplying this want; and the Leblanc
Valley Railroad Company was organized IN
n0 that road built, and now consolidated wit
ry the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad.
b. In 1882 Gen. Cameron was elected Cash
y. OF the Middletown Bank, a position which
held for twenty seven consecutive years.
10 that about the year 1854, he was at the san
K time President OF the Susquehanna Railro,
be Company, President OF the Lebanon Vail
g Railroad Company, President Of tho Con
monwealth Insurance Company, and CASH
No of the Middletown Bank, besides being d
% rector and Manager in several other instit
lat tons, and a large private business Of his oy
ltv to manage and superintend. Yet notwit
!. standing the vast labor and responsibility
~ these positions, he performed the duties
IN. them all satisfactorily and successfully.
When Mr.. Buchanan was called into Pre-,
dent Folks Cabinet in l845, Hon. George '
Woodward was the caucus nominee OF 4
81 Democratic party, as his successor, and tn
he party had . majority OF II or IL on joi
dn ballot, yet Gen. Cameron, by tho joint vot
= Of Wings and Democrats, was elected to I
nc u. S. Senate.
1t was the most eloquent tribute that cou
have been paid to the ability and worth
he any man. The campaign Of 1874 arous
- probably bitterer party feeling than ev