Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-08-17
OBITUARY..
DIR. ID. ID. CAMERON.

4 = aS+a~"aAaE NNaANNA HiANA "a AAAilu
tribute to the memory of Dr. Cameron,
whose death we briefly noticed last
week.
He was born at Caledonia, in Living
ston county, New York. He came to La
Crosse, we believe, in the year 1852, or
'5S. In the fall Of 1855 he was elected
to the Legislature from the great La
Crosse Assembly district, which then ex-
tended southwark to Crawford county.
eastward to the Ridge, aud northward to
the Chippewa. In the fall of 1856 he
was re elected. The older residents of
this large tract of country, which is now
formed into dozen populous couL ties,
have not forgotten the keenly contested
elections of those times.
In the war for the preservation of the
Union, Doctor Cameron labored, regard
less of his own health and strength, as
Surgeon of the gallant l4th Wis. Regt.,
and was ut The great battles of Pittsburr
Landing and Shiloh Loss Of health
compelled him to retire from military SER
vice. After n partial recovery of health
be was appointed Surgeon on the Board
of Enrolment for this Congressional Dis
trict, and performed an amount of labor
that would have overpowered any ordi
nary man. He has, for many years con-
Quoted a large business in the line of his
profession. If he bad never committed
the mistake of his life, which transferred
him from his professional duties to the
damaging arena of political complications,
he would have been eminent as Phvsi-
clan and Surgeon.
He has, from boyhood, been afflicted
with occasional fits Of depression of spirits:
and, on these occasions. he has often spoke
with strange Indifference as to the pro
longation Of life. In the course of con
versation with a medical friend few
weeks ago, in reference to a question of
insanity, that was raised in the case of n
personvthen on trial for murder, he rela
ted an incident in his own life: and stated
that, nj the age Of eighteen years, he
was strongly tempted to destroy his own
life by jumping from three story build,
ing, and, for years afterwards, was haunt
ed by that temptation.
Doctor Cameron was n man of quick
perceptions, indomitable energy, generous
impulses, and social habits. Solitude
seemed 10 him misery. He aimed to be
n man among men; and we can all bear
testimony TO the vigorous and public spir-
tied efforts he often put forth for the well
fare of the public, and to promote the
prosperity of the city of La Crosse.
There IS not church or charitable So
ciety in the city that has not received the
benefits of his generous offerings. His
heart, AMI hand, and purse were ever at
the service of the needy aad distressed.
He seldom asked favors for himself. but
would never take 'No" for an answer
when he sought to promote the interests
or wishes of his friends. We would not,
and will not consent to be instrumental
in writing mp the character and virtues of
any man who, while living dishonored his
manhood by acts of littleness, selfishuess,
or avarice; but, on the other hand, we
cannot speak unkiEdly of one whose faults
were not altogether of bis own coinage:
and whose patriotism and generous deeds
gave abundant evidence that he loved his
country and his fellow men more than
himself The eye of Omniscience alone
could take full cognizance of the terrible
conflicts that have been waged between
his nobler purposes and the evil influen-
ces that often assaied him, on the battle
ground OF heart that has been crushed
into the silence of death. Let the mantle
of charity cover all apparent blemishes
IN the career Of our departed townsman
and friend; while memory performs her
kindest offices in pleasant groupings of
his many acts of friendship, enterprise,
benevolenee and patriotism. For the be-
reaved father, brothers, relatives and
friends, every heart in this community is
laden with sadness and sympathy; and
will fervently supplicate in their behalf
the richest consultations OF that God, the
amplitude Of whose grace and faver ex-
ceeds the measure of human suffering.