19th century American politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Angus Cameron (July 4, 1826 – March 30, 1897) was a Scottish American lawyer, banker, and Republican politician from La Crosse, Wisconsin. He served ten years as a United States Senator, representing Wisconsin from 1875 to 1885. He earlier served as the 18th speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly and served four years in the Wisconsin Senate representing La Crosse County.
Angus Cameron | |
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| United States Senator from Wisconsin | |
| In office March 14, 1881 – March 3, 1885 | |
| Preceded by | Matthew H. Carpenter |
| Succeeded by | John Coit Spooner |
| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1881 | |
| Preceded by | Matthew H. Carpenter |
| Succeeded by | Philetus Sawyer |
| 18th Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly | |
| In office January 9, 1867 – January 8, 1868 | |
| Preceded by | Henry D. Barron |
| Succeeded by | Alexander McDonald Thomson |
| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 31st district | |
| In office January 1, 1871 – January 1, 1873 | |
| Preceded by | Cyrus M. Butt |
| Succeeded by | Gideon C. Hixon |
| In office January 1, 1863 – January 1, 1865 | |
| Preceded by | Edwin Flint |
| Succeeded by | John Alonzo Chandler |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the La Crosse 1st district | |
| In office January 1, 1866 – January 1, 1868 | |
| Preceded by | Townsend N. Horton |
| Succeeded by | Theodore Rodolf |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1826 Caledonia, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 30, 1897 (aged 70) La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Oak Grove Cemetery La Crosse, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Mary Papillon Baker
(m. 1856–1897) |
| Children | None. |
| Parents |
|
| Alma mater | Genesee Wesleyan Seminary State and National Law School |
| Profession | lawyer, banker, politician |
| Signature |  |
Angus Cameron was born in the town of Caledonia, New York, on July 4, 1826, the fifth child of seven born to Scottish American immigrants Duncan and Sarah McColl Cameron. He attended Temple Hill Academy in Geneseo, New York, and then the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in Lima, New York, which is now Syracuse University. He later studied law with the firm of Wadsworth and Cameron in Buffalo, New York. He graduated from the State and National Law School in 1853, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in a law partnership known as Wadsworth & Cameron. He later formed a business partnership with Frederick H. Wing, which was active in banking as Cameron & Wing.
In 1857, Cameron moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he continued his legal and banking careers. Initially a Whig, he joined the Republican Party when it was founded in the mid-1850s. He was twice elected to the Wisconsin Senate, serving first in the 1863 and 1864 terms, then again in 1871 and 1872. He was a delegate to the 1864 National Union National Convention. He was elected to two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving in the 1866 and 1867 terms; he was elected speaker of the Assembly for the 1867 term.
Cameron also served on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents from 1866 to 1875, and helped found Christ Church of La Crosse.
In February 1875 the Wisconsin Legislature, in joint session, elected Cameron to the United States Senate, and he served from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1881. He did not seek reelection in 1881. During this term he was appointed chairman of a committee to investigate alleged election fraud in South Carolina during the disputed United States presidential election of 1876.
In February 1881 Senator Matthew H. Carpenter died in office, and on March 10 Cameron was elected to complete the remaining four years of his six-year term. Cameron took his seat on March 14, and served until March 3, 1885. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1885.
After leaving the Senate Cameron returned to his banking and legal interests. He died in La Crosse on March 30, 1897, and was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse.[1]
Cameron Park in downtown La Crosse was named for him. The village of Cameron, in Barron County, was also named for him.
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