University of Virginia Library

WILLIAM EWAN CAMERON.

The descent of William Ewan Cameron, representative as it has
been of valor, genius and worth, may justly excite regard. According
to family tradition, he was paternally descended from the Scotish
chieftain of the clan Cameron, Sir Ewan Lochiel, who during the civil
wars adhered to the Stuarts until their cause was hopeless, and whose
prowess is celebrated in song as well as preserved in history. Rev.
John Cameron was educated at King's College, Aberdeen, and being
ordained by the Bishop of Chester in 1770, came to America. His first
charge was St. James' Church in Mecklenburg county, Virginia. In
1784 he removed to Petersburg, Virginia. In 1793 he served as rector
of Bristol parish. He was an excellent scholar, and for a time conducted
a classical school. His learning was recognized in the degree
of Doctor of Divinity, conferred by William and Mary College. Of the
issue of Dr. Cameron, a daughter became the wife of Rev. Andrew Syme,
of Petersburg, Virginia; another the wife of Walker Anderson, whose
son was Judge Walker Anderson, of Florida. Judge Duncan Cameron,
of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, was his son. Another
son, William Cameron, married Anna, daughter of Daniel Call, an
eminent lawyer, Reporter of the Virginia Court of Appeals, and brother-in-law

of Chief Justice John Marshall, and of his issue was Walker
Anderson Cameron, who married in 1841, Elizabeth Harrison Walker,
a granddaughter of Benjamin Harrison, of "Berkeley," and a great-granddaughter
of William Byrd, of "Westover," James River, Virginia.
Of their issue was the subject of this sketch, who was born in
Petersburg, Virginia, November 29, 1842. His advantages of education
were limited, and he was early thrown upon his own resources by
the death of his parents. At the age of sixteen he went to the West
in pursuit of fortune. Upon the breaking out of our late civil war in
1861, he was in St. Louis, Missouri. He promptly returned to his native
State and enlisted as a private in Company A, 12th Regiment
Virginia Volunteers. His soldierly merit speedily secured his promotion
successively through the non-commissioned grades to the rank
of Lieutenant of his company, and subsequently to the posts of Regimental
Adjutant and Brigade Inspector. He served with uniform
gallantry throughout the war, was several times severely wounded,
and surrendered finally at Appomattox Court House with the rank of
Captain. Upon the conclusion of the war he was led by Hon. Anthony
M. Keiley, who was then conducting the Daily News of Petersburg,
to employ his pen in journalism, and first contributed to the News a
serial of sketches of the war. The News soon fell under the ban of
Federal authority, and was suppressed, but was renewed by its proprietors
as the Index, which is still conducted as the Index and Appeal.
William Ewan Cameron was first employed on the Index as local editor,
but in a few months was sent to Norfolk, Virginia, to edit the
Norfolk Virginian, in the publication of which the proprietors of the
Index were interested. From Norfolk he was recalled to Petersburg
to take editorial charge of the Index, which he conducted until 1870,
when he became the editor of the Richmond Whig. In 1868, Captain
Cameron fought a duel, growing out of political differences, with
Robert W. Hughes (now United States Judge for the Eastern District
of Virginia), and was severely wounded. In 1872 he assumed control
of the Richmond Enquirer, which he conducted until October, 1873.
Returning to Petersburg, he for a time served on the editorial staff of
the Index. In 1876 he was elected the Mayor of Petersburg, and thus
served by four successive elections until nominated as Governor of
Virginia. In 1877 Captain Cameron resumed editorial control of the
Whig, and continued that connection with some interruption until
December, 1879. In 1881 Captain Cameron was elected Governor of
Virginia over the Conservative candidate, Major John Warwick Daniel,
and entered upon the duties of the office January 1, 1882, for the
term of four years. Governor Cameron exhibited much talent as a
journalist. He is a vigorous writer and an effective speaker. He is
of medium stature and prepossessing in person. He is married and
has issue.[46]