Biography:

James Donald Cameron was a US Republican Senator, Secretary of War, and Republican National Committee Chairman.  Cameron was born in Middletown, PA on May 14, 1833 and was the son of Simon Cameron, a prominent Republican politician and the Secretary of War in President Lincoln’s Cabinet.  After graduating from Princeton College in 1852, he worked for the family businesses, including banking and the North Central Railroad.  In 1866 he helped his father win a seat in the US Senate, and later in 1876, campaigned for Ulysses S. Grant.  When Grant won the presidential election, he appointed Cameron Secretary of War.  Cameron served for one year (1876-1877).  He served in the US Senate from 1877-1897 and served as the Republican National Committee Chairman from 1879-1880.  He died in his home in Lancaster County Pennsylvania on August 30, 1918.