GEORGE CAMERON.
The subject of this sketch, a resident of Petersburg since 1855, was
born in Scotland, the son of Alexander Cameron, who was born in
Scotland and died there in 1839, and the grandson of Alexander
Cameron, also of Scotland. He attended school both in Scotland and
in Petersburg, coming to the United States first in 1840, returning to
Scotland in 1850, and coming back to the United States again in 1855,
when he settled in Petersburg permanently. He went at once into the
manufacture of tobacco there, with the late David Dunlop, with whom
he remained until, in 1858, he with his brother William went into the
same business on their own account, and have continued ever since.
Mr. Cameron went into the Confederate States Army as a British
subject, and did duty almost continuously around Petersburg. He was
made prisoner June 9, 1864, and sent to Point Lookout, thence to
Elmira, New York; was held until paroled in November, 1864, returning
home then, and never exchanged, remained in Petersburg during
the evacuation of that place by General Lee. The firm of Wm. Cameron
& Bro. manufacture tobacco exclusively for export, shipping to
Australia, India and England, employing about 600 hands, and
manufacturing about 2,000,000 pounds per annum.
Mr. Cameron has been twice married, his first wife, Helen Elizabeth
Dunn, who died on November 7, 1884, leaving issue: Alexander, Ella,
George, William and Helen. He married second wife, Delia Pegram, at
Richmond, Virginia, July 19, 1886.
