Biography - J McPherson
J. H. McPHERSON, farmer, P. O. Walshville, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Muhlenburg County, Ky., December 13, 1826, and was raised upon a farm. He was brought to St. Clair County, Ill., by his parents when he was but an infant, where they remained about seven years, then removed to Morgan, now Scott County, Ill., near Winchester. He was there educated in the common schools, remaining in that county until nineteen years of age, when he embarked in the sawmill business, a business he has followed a good many years. He commenced business without a dollar, and has had many trials and disappointments, but by energy and perseverance has overcome them, and now owns 645 acres of good bottom land, well improved and in an excellent state of cultivation. He and his brother built the first flouring mill in Litchfield, where the noted steam mill now stands, but sold it in 1856, and then engaged in a machine shop until 1863, when he took an overland trip to California, but believing he could do better at home, returned within six months, and engaged in his old business, saw-milling. This he followed until December, 1878, since which time he has been engaged in farming. He was married in Scott County, November 19, 1851, to Miss Rebecca J. ASH, also a native of Kentucky, and who was born February 9, 1830. She was the mother of six children, and died May 13, 1870. Jesse ASH, her father, was born in Kentucky, also her mother. His second wife, Margaret MISSMORE, was born in Hillsboro, Ill., February 3, 1833; her father was from North Carolina, and her mother a native of Tennessee. James McPherson, the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina January 28, 1796, and was a farmer. He emigrated to Kentucky, and from that State to Illinois in 1827 where he bought land, and raised a large family of children, who grew up useful men and women. He was in the war of 1812, though he served but three months; he was in the battle of New Orleans; he died in October, 1879. His wife, Elizabeth JOHNSON, was a native of North Carolina; was born January 29, 1799, and was the mother of thirteen children, of whom our subject was the fifth.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 197-198.
