WALSH HERITAGE, ND 1881 - 1981 VOL 2, PAGE 649-650

STEPHEN ALEXANDER CAMERON - BIO

Stephen Alexander CAMERON was born at Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, Jan 10, 1860. He received his early education there, served apprenticeship as a blacksmith before coming to the Dakota Territory in 1881, via Fisher's Landing and filed on a homestead in Rushford Township.

He did blacksmithing at Kensington after coming to this territory. In 1882 the Great Northern Railway built a branch line through to Park River and Mr CAMERON moved his shop to the village.

Mr Cameron came to Dakota with his mother: Mrs. McCLELLAN who had married again after his father died, and his sisters: Sarah Ann and Charlotte, and brothers, William and James.

Mr Cameron married Ester Emma WIDDES at Park River in 1883. She was born at Cartwright, Ontario, Canada and came to Dakota Territory at the same time as Mr CAMERON with her parents, William and Catherian Widdes, her brother, Robert and sisters Margaret and Jennie.

The Camerons had five children; all born and raised in Park River.
Mabel Clare married William A. YOUNG
Ethel Mae married Franklin A. CAMERON
Edna Pearl married Howard N. NEWMAN
Lloyd Widdes CAMERON

Mr Cameron was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, for 21 years. He served park River as alderman and mayor. He was a life member of Golden Valley Lodge No. 26 and charter member of the Park River Odd Fellows Lodge. He did blacksmithing in Park River until 1917, when, owning to the poor health of himself and his wife, they moved to California. They returned to Park River in 1919. Mrs CAMERON died August 1919. Mr CAMERON lived with his daughter, Mabel Young until his death March 8, 1939.

The family plot is in the protestant side of the Park River Cemetery. The tall iron grey tomestone was ordered from and made in London, England and shipped to Park River (Grandfather Widdes had ordered it).

* I am not related to any of these people.