Henry C Cameron (1825-1904)

CAMERON, HUSSONG, HUFFMAN, REYNOLDS, MCVICKERS, JOHNSON, WALTERS

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/27/2023 at 15:00:20

From Ames Intelligencer, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, June 23rd, 1904.

Henry C. Cameron

The ranks of Iowa's pioneers are being rapidly thinned. Readers of this paper can readily recall the names of the many old residents that have joined the vast majority during the past twelve months. Only last week mention was made of the death of Henry Barnes at Gilbert and before that issue had been mailed came the death of Henry C. Cameron at his home near Ontario where he had lived for more than half a century.

In Mr. Cameron's death this community losees a pioneer and more. He was a citizen that had paid a double obligations of patriotism for he was a veteran of two wars having rendered his county acceptable service in Mex. and in the great civil conflict. It is worthy of note in this connection that this section of Iowa has been the home of a notable group of pioneers and Mexican war verterans. Nearly sixty years have elapsed since the war with Mexico and survivors of the armies that entered Mexico have been infrequently met for several decades. For many years six veterans from the same Indiana company lived in Ames and vicinity. S. P. O'Brien and H. C. Cameron were the last survivors of this group and the latters death leaves the first named so far as we are informed the solitary survivor of the Mexican war within Story county's boundaries. Mr. Cameron's part in the Mexican war is summarized as follows:

Enlisted from Clay Co., Ind, June 15, 1846 and was mustered into the United States service at New Albany, Indiana, June 23rd, 1846 as a private of Co. C 2nd regiment, Indiana Infantry Volunteers under Captain John Osborn and Col. William O. Bowles to serve twelve months during the Mexican war. Was assigned to the Indiana brigade under General Lane and took part at the battles at Ramos Sept. 14, 1846, Monterey, Sept. 21-24, 1846; Buena Vista, Feb. 23-24, 1847 where 5,000 the American U.S. troops defeated 21,000 of the enemy's Ceralvo, March 7, 1847, Cerro Gorda April 16-17, 1847, Jalapa April 19, 1847. Was honorably discharged at New Orleans, La June 26, 1847, by reason of expiration of term of service.

So much for his military servic. The record of his civil life begins with his birth in Marion Co., Indiana, June 22, 1825. He was early left an orphan and had more than the usual disadvantages to overcome in the development of a sterling manhood and useful citizenship. Returning from the Mexican war he was married Aug. 19th, 1847 to Amanda J. Hussong who after nearly fifty-seven years of faithful and industrious copartnership still lives to mourn his death. In 1852 he and his wife came to Iowa. They moved from their first location in a little while to the farm where the balance of his life was spent and where he died June 18, 1904.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, four sons and six daughters. Three of the sons are dead. Of the surviving children Mrs. Rosamah Huffman lives in Colorado, John H. Cameron at Goldfield, Iowa, Mrs. Matilda Reynolds at Gilbert, Iowa, Mrs. Priscilla S. McVickers at Custer, Oklahoma, Mrs. Amanda J. Johnson at Story City, Iowa, Mrs. Dottie Walters at Wyle, Minnesota and Miss Barbara A. Cameron at Ontario, Iowa.

All were present at the funeral except the daughter in Oklahoma who was unable to come.

The G.A.R. had charge of the funeral service which was held in the church at Ontario, Rev. Wright of Des Moines preached the sermon. A large crowd of neighbors assembled to pay him the final tribute of respect and say farewell. At the conclusion of the service he was laid to rest in the Ontario cemetery.