Transcribed from Goodspeed’s History of  Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketches of from Twenty-Five to Thirty Counties of East Tennessee, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, etc., etc. (Chicago and Nashville:  The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887), pp. 962-987.  See footnote below for on-line access.

John McPHERSON, Esq., a prominent citizen and farmer of Bradley County, was born July 1, 1809, in Roane County, Tenn. He is the fifth of eight children born to Henry and Mary (EATON) McPHERSON, who were of Scotch-Irish origin. The father was born in Virginia about 1771. He was married in Grainger County, Tenn., about 1788, and several years later moved to Roane County, where he died in March, 1816. He was a successful agriculturist, and justice of the peace several years. His wife died at the home of our subject, in Bradley County June, 1864. In 1875 all of her children were living; two have passed away since that date. The eldest, a daughter, is now ninety-one years of age. Our subject received a good education in Roane County, which has been supplemented by general reading. Farming has always been his chief occupation, and several times made live stock trading a specialty. From 1839 to 1843 he was interested in the milling business. He came to Bradley County in 1834, settling in the county before the Cherokee Indians left. He has always been one of the most active and enterprising citizens, and owns about 575 acres of good land. He was justice of the peace. In 1858 he was elected county tax collector, and served several terms. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and of high social standing. In politics is a Greenbacker. In 1830 he wedded Miss Ethalinda MAHAN, who was born in Roane county, October 5, 1813, and died in Bradley County April 21, 1857. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and mother of four sons and four daughters. Two children are deceased.

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This biography was transcribed by Sherry Pollard. We thank her for transcribing all the Goodspeed’s biographical sketches.

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