Ralph Henry Cameron
| Ralph Henry Cameron | |
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United States Senator from Arizona |
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In office March 4, 1921 – March 4, 1927 |
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| Preceded by | Marcus A. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Carl Hayden |
| Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona Territory | |
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In office March 4, 1909 – February 14, 1912 |
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| Preceded by | Marcus A. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Carl Hayden (Arizona's first Representative) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 21, 1863 Southport, Maine |
| Died | February 12, 1953 (aged 89) Washington, D.C. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Ida May Spaulding (m. 1895–1933) Elizabeth Reese (m. 1935–53) |
Ralph Henry Cameron (October 21, 1863 – February 12, 1953) was an American businessman, prospector and politician who served as both Arizona Territory's Delegate to Congress and as Arizona's first Republican United States Senator. As a Territorial delegate, he saw Arizona achieve statehood. Cameron's greatest achievement in Senate was authorization for the Coolidge Dam.
On the business front, Cameron was active early in efforts to develop the Grand Canyon. Toward this end he often used his political influence to help his business interests. Popular among residents of northern Arizona for much of his political career, his fortunes changed after he reached the U.S. Senate and voters began to view his actions as self-serving.
Cameron was born on October 21, 1863 to Henry and Abigail Ann (Jones) Cameron in Southport, Maine. He attended public schools until the age of thirteen when he left home for the fishing fleet working the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Cameron would later claim that much of his knowledge came from the "School of Hard Knocks". After five years employment as a fisherman, Cameron moved to Boston where he became a store clerk.
After reading John Wesley Powell's account of his 1869 exploration of the Colorado River, Cameron wanted to learn more about the American Southwest. This prompted him to quit his job and take a train to Flagstaff, Arizona Territory in 1883. He initially worked at a sawmill but shortly thereafter joined his brother, Niles, in operating a mercantile store. Two months after his arrival, Cameron visited the Grand Canyon. He explored the area for nine days on his first visit and returned a year later with Edward E. Ayer to investigate lumbering opportunities along the South Rim. The brothers eventually sold their store and focused on mining in the Grand Canyon.
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