J. Donald Cameron | |
|---|---|
 Cameron c. 1870s | |
| United States Senator from Pennsylvania | |
| In office March 20, 1877 – March 3, 1897 | |
| Preceded by | Simon Cameron |
| Succeeded by | Boies Penrose |
| Chairman of the Republican National Committee | |
| In office November 1, 1879 – July 2, 1880 Acting: November 1, 1879 – December 17, 1879 | |
| Preceded by | Zachariah Chandler |
| Succeeded by | Marshall Jewell |
| 32nd United States Secretary of War | |
| In office May 22, 1876 – March 4, 1877 | |
| President | Ulysses S. Grant |
| Preceded by | Alphonso Taft |
| Succeeded by | George W. McCrary |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Donald Cameron May 14, 1833 Middletown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 30, 1918 (aged 85) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mary McCormick Elizabeth Sherman |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | Princeton University (BA, MA) |
James Donald Cameron (May 14, 1833 – August 30, 1918) was an American banker, businessman and Republican politician who served as Secretary of War in the cabinet of President Ulysses S. Grant from 1876 to 1877 and represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate from 1877 to 1897. Cameron succeeded his father, Simon Cameron, in both offices and as boss of the powerful Pennsylvania Republican political machine.
Cameron was raised and educated near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Princeton College, Cameron worked in the banking and railroad industries.
In May 1876, Cameron was appointed Secretary of War as part of a cabinet reshuffle by President Ulysses S. Grant, following the impeachment and resignation of William W. Belknap and a brief tenure by Secretary Alphonso Taft, whom Grant made Attorney General. Cameron's father served in the same office under President Abraham Lincoln.[1][a] During Cameron's tenure, the military was challenged by the Great Sioux War and by the threat of a second Southern secession after the controversial 1876 election of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Cameron proved to be an energetic administrator and his appointment as Secretary of War launched his lengthy political career in the Senate.
After leaving the cabinet, Cameron was elected Senator by the Pennsylvania legislature, under the control of Senator Simon Cameron, his father. Cameron served as Pennsylvania's U.S. Senator from 1877 to 1897, and as chairman on two powerful Senate committees.
After leaving the Senate, Cameron worked in various industrial businesses until his death in 1918. Cameron was the last surviving cabinet member of the Grant Administration.
- ^ Bell (1981), p. 3-4.
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