County of Christian, Kentucky.  Historical and Biographical.  Edited by 
William Henry Perrin.  F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1884, pp. 383-384.

JOHN W. McPHERSON was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, September 18,
1826.  His father, John McPherson, and his mother, Sarah McDonald, both of
whom were of Scotch ancestry, were each born and reared in Virginia.  John
W. is the youngest of a family of eleven children.  He attained his
majority in his native state, receiving an academic education.  About 1844
he began the study of law, and two years later was admitted to practice,
which he commenced in Lewisburg, Greenbrier Co., W. Va.  He continued to
practice there until 1859, having meantime served as County Attorney for
eight years.  Mr. McPherson came to Christian County, Ky., in 1859, and
until 1864 was engaged in merchandising, but in that year resumed the
practice of the law, in which he has been very successful.  From 1865 until
1877 he was associated with George A. Champlin, under the firm of McPherson
& Champlin.  He was married in West Virginia in December, 1849, to Miss
Margret A. Withrow, daughter of James and Letitia (Edgar) Withrow.  She was
born in West Virginia, September 22, 1828.  They have had a family of six
children, the eldest of whom, William C., died in 1880.  Five living are: 
James Edgar, John W., Jr., Joel D., Herbert Lee, and Mary W. McPherson. 
The family are members of the Southern Presbyterian Church, in which Mr.
McPherson is an Elder.  He is also a member of the Masonic order. 

McPherson McDonald Champlin Withrow Edgar
=
Fauquier-VA Greenbrier-WV

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/christian/mcpherson.jw.txt