Marquis Lafayette McPherson

Marquis Lafayette McPherson (May 29, 1822 – December 29, 1871), sometimes known as Marcus L. McPherson, was an American politician and lawyer from Iowa. He served in the Iowa Senate from 1856 to 1862.

Early life Marquis Lafayette McPherson was born on May 29, 1822, in the Carolinas as one of four sons to Mary and William McPherson. His father was a farmer and harness maker. Around 1830, the family moved to Morgan County, Indiana. He was educated at Preston's country school. He attended Indiana Asbury College in Greencastle, Indiana, from 1846 to 1847. He then studied law in a law firm for a year under Algernon Sidney Griggs of Martinsville. He went by Marcus L. McPherson since it was hard to explain how to pronounce his first name.

Career McPherson moved to Arkansas to practice law and returned to Indiana in two years. He taught at a schoolhouse in Indiana for about a year. In October 1866, he organized a Grand Army of the Republic post in Winterset and served as its first commander. They had three daughters, Ada, Ida, and Mary "Mamie".

In 1871, McPherson became ill and tried to recover his health in New York and St. Louis, Missouri. He died on December 29, 1871, at the Everett House in St. Louis. He was buried in Fairview Cemetery in Council Bluffs.