Marcus Lafayette McPherson

MCPHERSON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/16/2004 at 15:40:57

M. L. McPherson, one of the oldest settlers in Madison county and at the present time one of the most successful lawyers of Western Iowa, is of Quaker origin, and was born in the State of North Carolina. While quite young, his father migrated to the State of Indiana, in which State he grew to manhood. He received his education at Green Castle, Indiana. After leaving school he turned his attention to the study of law. In 1847 he migrated to the State of Arkansas, with a view of practicing his profession, but the unhealthy climate of that State and his natural aversion to slavery, caused him to soon seek a location where he could breathe God's pure air uncontaminated with the miasmatic influences of human bondage. He returned for a short time to the State of Indiana; and in 1850 he started to seek a home in the new State of Iowa. His arrival at Winterset is described by an early settler somewhat as follows: At the first settling of the county the streams were often impassable in the spring, and the wayfaring man had to trust himself to the mercy of the waves or remain until the floods were assuaged. This was the case In the spring of 1850. Few persons were seen In the small village of Winterset, but one bright day, when the roads were hardly navigable, and the streams in good swimming order, the monotany (sic) of the town was disturbed by the entrance of a stranger. He was barefoot had, his pants rolled up and his coat off; but he was a perfect pattern of manhood and his health, and he signified his intention of making he signified his intention of making the village his home. Soon the inquiry went abroad; what will he follow for a living? This was answered by the stranger - M., McPherson - who soon convinced the people of the county that he was a worthy follower of Blackstone, and that he was ready to practice law, teach school, or do most any other respectable business for a livelihood.

As the law business was limited; he taught school for a short time after his arrival. He has been very successful as a lawyer and has a very large practice, extending throughout most of the counties of southwester Iowa. He is ever zealous in the cause of his client, and exerts a great influence over a jury. He is a man of fine personal character, and a firm believer in practical, Christianity. He is generous and patriotic, and always evinces a lively interest in all manners of a public character. He represented this portion of the State two terms in the State Senate, and was regarded as one of the leading members of that body. During the war he was a Captain in the Commissary Department and at its close came home with the rank of Brevet–Colonel. He was one of the original “Abolitionists," and by his labors on the stump did much to advance the principles of Freedom; and he has always been Identified with the best interests of Madison county. His success is another evidence of what energy and unfaltering application to business and devotion to principle will do when nature has provided a good head and generous hart.

Taken from the book, “The History and Business Directory of Madison County, Iowa, 1869”