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Below is a family biography included in The History of Dyer County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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J. E. McPherson, a well known farmer of Dyer County, was born in Alamance County, N. C., August 16, 1841. He is one of seven children born to the marriage of William E. McPherson and Nancy A. Dark, of Scotch-Irish and Irish descent, respectively. The former, who was born in Alamance County, N. C., in 1809, was a farmer by occupation. He died in 1867. His wife was born in Chatham County, N. C., in 1814, and died in 1868. J. E. McPherson left the parental roof at the age of nineteen and came to Dyer County. The war breaking out soon after he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Regiment Tennessee Infantry, with which he participated in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. At the last named engagement he was seriously wounded, and was taken prisoner and sent to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, where he remained about eighteen months. He was released on May 25, 1865, and returned to Dyer County, where, on August 16, 1866, he was united in marriage with Rebecca J., daughter of John H. and Elizabeth Christie. He then remained in Dyer County until 1873, when he removed to Pemiscot County, Mo. After a three years’ residence in that county he removed to Dunklin County, in the same State, where he remained until 1878. In that year he returned to Dyer County and purchased the farm of 140 acres upon which he still resides. Mr. McPherson is a member of the I. O. O. F., and both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. They have a family of six children: John W., James T., Oscar C., Bishop M., Florence M. and Junie B.
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This family biography is one of 128 biographies included in The History of Dyer County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed. The History of Dyer County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee
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