Marcus Lafayette McPherson (1871)

MCPHERSON

Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 9/26/2006 at 16:58:12

The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, January 3, 1872

Major McPherson

Saturday night the sad intelligence of the death of our former citizen, Major M. L. McPherson, was received. He died on Friday, the 29th, at Everett House, St. Louis. Not long since he returned from a New Jersey water cure establishment cured, as was supposed, and entered upon duty as District Attorney, which office he held. He soon failed again in health, and then repaired to St. Louis to try the Turkish Bath. Becoming rapidly worse, his wife was telegraphed for, but he died before she could reach him.

Green be thy memory, Mac! Of friends he had hosts in Madison county. He was one of our oldest settlers, and it ever was the delight of our people to show their confidence in him by advancing him to offices of public trust. The writer knew him well, and we cheerfully bear our testimony that his was a noble soul; ever a friend to those who needed friendship, long will he be remembered by our people.

We heartily endorse these words from the Council Bluffs Nonpareil: --“Bluff, hearty, Mac! As a citizen he was true and upright – reliable in his friendship – social in his nature, and though active in public life, always genial – he was respected by all who came in contact with him, and his death will call out a wide expression of sympathy, for he was well know throughout the State.”
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The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, January 10, 1872
Page 8

Funeral of Maj. McPherson

We clip the following notice of the funeral of Major McPherson from the Council Bluffs Nonpareil:

The funeral services of our fellow townsman, Major McPherson, took place yesterday morning, at the first M. E. Church at ten o’clock. A very large audience of mourning relatives, friends and acquaintances were present on the occasion. After the singing of a hymn, and the reading of the 23rd Psalm, the favorite hymn of the deceased, during his lifetime, and, the only one he was ever known to sing being the 958th, was sung by the congregation in a very solemn and impressive manner. After the singing of the hymn a very touching prayer was offered up by Rev. Mr. Breese, after which a statement from the editor of the Central Christian Advocate, who was with him in his last hours, was read, being a brief but vivid description of the running out of the last sands from the life of a truly noble and good man. Many eyes that had not been moistened for years were damp at the conclusion, and it is fair to believe that some of the touching appeals and admonitions listened to, as it were coming almost from the lips of the dead, will sink deep and leave a lasting impress upon the hearts of many of the hearers.

After the reading of the statement, the audience passed out, stopping in the vestibule long enough to take a farewell look and drop a paring tear over the last earthly remains of their friend and brother as he lay in his coffin sweetly sleeping his long last sleep, when forming in a procession, the remains were escorted to their last resting place on Cemetery Hill.

The letter from the Rev. Dr. Crary who was present when he died, was read on the occasion, from which we make this extract.

“On the evening of December 26, 1871, I was requested by Dr. Adams, of this city, to go with him to Hon. M. L. McPherson, who was very sick at the Everett House.

“He had reached the city on Monday evening, in a state of extreme prostration from congestion of the lungs, and Bright’s disease under which he had been laboring for several months. His breathing was exceeding hard, his pulse rapid and fluttering, under which he was then suffering. He was perfectly rational, and conversed freely about his situation. He had become convinced that his disease was approaching a fatal termination, and after the physicians, Drs Temple, Vastine and Adams had gone out, requested me to pray with him. I did so, and at nearly every petition he audibly responded, Amen! I prayed for his recovery if consistent with the Divine will, for his forgiveness, conversion and preparation for death, if he should be taken away. His responses were deeply affecting. He said; “Do Lord, O bless my soul, prepare me for death, pardon my sins, Jesus died for sinners; I am a great sinner, Jesus died for me.” When I prayed for his family, he said: Amen! God bless them; bless my wife, bless Ada, Mamie; pray for little Mamie, my sick child at home, pray for Ada, O pray for me! I am a sinner, but God is merciful. O I how merciful to send his only begotten Son into the world to die for us poor sinners.” I asked him if he could trust in Christ, and he said, “Yes, I will, pray that I may be able to do so, I want to trust him to the last.”

I had to go home then, returned again that night and now became satisfied that he could not live. He was very glad I came and said; “Stay with me I am dying and must meet God. It is a solemn thing for a man to die, to go into eternity and answer for all he has done.” “Yes,” said I, “but the Lord Jesus said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give thee rest.” “What a precious promise” said he, “it is wonderful! Come unto me, and I will give you rest – rest – rest from all disease, and pain, and sorrow, and sin. Yes it is wonderful; God’s promises are amazing. O! how good God is!” I said, “Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” “Yes” said he. “It is all through faith, pray for me that I may have faith. I am dying, smothering, but I am in God’s hands, He is merciful.”

These, his dying words, referring to his daughter, should be read and pondered on by every girl in the land just budding into womanhood.

“My daughter Ada, is just entering upon womanhood You know many temptations around her. Pray for her, and tell her for me, to be prompt and punctual in all her engagements – always to be employed in some useful work. Idleness is the patent of nearly all vices. Tell her there is but one God and she must serve Him. I want her to read only good books and to keep good company. I do not want he to read the trashy novels of the day, nor Byron, nor Shakspeare very much. I want her to read biography, and history, and the Bible. Tell her to consult her mother about her reading, and about everything.” “For,” said he, “a mother will not ever teach her child wrong. Even after she has reached her maturity, I want her to obey her mother and follow her advice. Tell her I want her fully to comprehend the value of time, and I know she cannot be happy unless she is fully devoted to Christ.
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Transcriber's note: Given names taken from Union Army records.