From bio.com: Born in Pennsylvania on March 8, 1799, Simon Cameron was considered by many to be on of America’s first political bosses. His political ambitions led him to be elected to the Senate in 1845 and appointed as President Lincoln’s secretary of war in 1861. Lincoln [later] appointed him minister [to] Russia. He greatly influenced elections during his time, including the appointment of his own son as his senatorial replacement.
