The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-03-21
THE NORTHERN CONFEDERACY.
Simon Cameron, Secretary of War

Gen. Simon Cameron was born 10 Lau
caster county, Pennsylvania. Reverse
and misfortunes in his fathers faDil
cast him very early in life on the worl
to shape aud carve out his own fortune
After having removed to Sunbury, il
Northumberland county, bis father died
while Simon was yet a boy. In 1917 b.
came to Harrisburg and bound oimse
as an apprentice to the printing business
to james Peacock, who is still residen
OF Harrisburg, aod one of it, most WORTHY
and respected ctiseus. During this time
he won the regard and esteem Of Mr.
Peacock and all bis fellow workmen by
bis correct department. his industry. in
telligence and fsitbfulness. His days
were devoted to labor and bis nis hts tc
study. Having completed his appren.
ticeship be went to Washington city, and
was employed as journeyman printer
lu 1924. though scarcely of competent
age. he bad attained such position and
influence that his party-then 10 the as
ccDdsney 10 the Congressional district
proposed to nominate bim for Congress,
an honor which be promptly declined, as
interfering with the enterprise 10 which
be va then engaged He va. appointed
Adjutsnt General of the State in 1928.
an Office which be filed creditably and ac-
ceptshly during Gov. Sbul;zs tern; and
10 1881. unsolicited, he vas appointed by
Gen. Jackson as a visiter to West Point,
a compliment. at tn st time. rendered onl y
to the N ost prominent citizens. To no
single man within ber border is Penn
sylvaDia more indebted for her great sys
tens of public improvement and public
instruction. Nor did be hesitate to n-
vest bis own means. when prosperity and
fortune dawned upon him, in enterprises
of great public Importance. 10 lS3i be
origiusted sDi carried to .uccessful COM
pletion the Harrisburg, Mount Joy aud
Lancaster Railroad, sur OUT ptins diff sui
ties aud prejudices which would have ap-
palled and parslyzed man of ordinary
energy and determination. 10 1899 be
was nominated for Congress. but declined
He was engaged in public enterprises
IRON which be would not permit himself
to be drawn aside By any consideration OF
Office or personal elevation 10 1851 be
was maiUly instrumental in the formation
of the Susquehpnna Railroad Company,
now consolIdsted with the Northern Cen
trail Railway, by which the upper valleys
of the Susque hanna are connected with
the capital of the State. There was still
another link wanting to form direct and
coutinous railroad to New ! ork city. the
great commercial metropolis of the Union.
General CameroD's practical mind soon
sugge,ted the mode and mauDer of sup
plying the want; aud the Lebanon Valley
Railroad Company was organized, and
that road built. and now cons solids sted ~ith
the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad.
10 1882 General Cameron was elected
Cashier of the Middletown Baok-a posi-
ton which he held for twenty seven COD
,ecutive years. So that about the year
1854. be was at the same time President
of the Susquebanna Railroad Company.
President OF the Lebanon Valley Railroad
President the Commonwealth
Insurance Company, and Cashier of the
Middletosn Bank, besides being director
and manager 10 several other institutions,
and having large private business OF
his Own to manage and superintend -
Y ct notwithstanding the vast labor aud
responsibility of these positions. be per-
formed the duties of them satisfactorily
aud successfully.
Montgomery Blair, Postmaster General.
The State of Maryland will be represen-
ted in the Lincoln Cabinet by Judge
NJ Montgomery Blair, who resides at Mont
gomery Cattle. near Silver Spring. Mont.
gomery county. Md. Judge Blair is
son of Francis p Blair, well known in
Gen. Jacksons time. He graduated at
West Point. went to the State of Mssou-
ri, prscti.ed law 10 ST Louis, was made
j Judge. and was appointed by President
Pierce one of the Judges of the Court of
Claims from which place be was removed
By President Buchanan Judge Blair is
DOW in the pri me OF life and mental vigor.
and there is no mao south of Peonsylva-
MIA who is more popular among the radi-
cal republicans all over the North and
West He is son-in law of the late Hon
Levi Woodbury., of New Hampshire, and
brother OF Frank p. Blair, Jr.. Congress.
man elect from the St Louis district.
c. B. Smith, Secretary Of the Interior
MIR. Smith il well known 10 Indiana,
aud is reputed to be possessed of vigor-
ous intellect and considerable ad ministra-
tive tact and ability. He has been in
Congress, and was Commissioner on Mex
icau claims. In regard to his political
faith. it is not certain that be has made
any decisive declaration. but it is very
presumed that be is moderate
republican.
Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.
Mr.. GIDEON WelIes. of Connecticut. has
been for upwards OF thirty year. leading
politician in Connecticut. aud for much OF
that time has been connected, directly
aud indirectly, with the public press,
WELDING partisan pen, and always ex-
bititiDg evidences Of uDque'tionable hos