Skip to main content

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1799 - 1889

Biographical History

Simon Cameron (1799-1889) was an American politician who served as the United States Secretary of War for Abraham Lincoln at the start of the American Civil War.

Simon Cameron was born March 8, 1799 in Maytown, Pennsylvania to Charles Cameron and Martha Pfoutz. He married Margaret Brua on October 17, 1822. He worked as the state printer of Pennsylvania from 1825 until 1827. He founded the Bank of Middletown in 1832. In 1838, he was appointed as commissioner to settle claims of the Winnebago Indians. He was elected to the United States Senate on March 13, 1845 and served until 1849. He was re-elected again in 1857, and served in that capacity until his resignation in 1861, when he began serving as the United States Secretary of War under President Abraham Lincoln. He served as US Secretary of War until 1862. He was the U.S. Minister to Russia in 1862. Cameron served in the U.S. Senate again in 1867, and was re-elected in 1873. Cameron retired to his farm at Donegal Springs Cameron Estate near Maytown, Pennsylvania where he died on June 26, 1889.

Citation:
NUCMC data from NJ Hist. Soc. for Bradley, J.P. Papers, 1836-1937 (Simon Cameron)

LC data base, 1-21-87 (hdg.: Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889)

DAB (Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889; Sen from Pa. (Republican boss); financier; Sec. war under Lincoln; Min. to Russia; s. Charles & Martha (Pfoutz) C.; newspaper editor; owner Harrisburg Republican; commis. to settle claims of Winnebago Indians; m. Margaret Brua; father of: J.D. Cameron (1833-1918))

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Thomas L. Kane correspondence with national and local political leaders, 1845-1877

 Sub-Series — Box 63: Series 1; Series 3; Series 4; Series 11 [Barcode: 31197232570009]
Identifier: Vault MSS 792 Series 4 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains letters between Kane and political figures at the national, state, and territorial levels regarding issues and appointments. Materials date between 1845 and 1877.

Dates: 1845-1877
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 792, Kane family papers / Thomas L. Kane papers on the American West and politics

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.