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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Macpherson, John

Macpherson, John , Farmer, Balfour. Mr Macpherson is one of the oldest settlers in the district of Balfour. He was born on the 24th of
Mr. J. Macpherson And The Late Mrs Macpherson.

Mr. J. Macpherson And The Late Mrs Macpherson.

May, 1844, in the parish of Insh, in Inverness-shire, Scotland, and was educated at the parish school in the village of Insh. At the age of fifteen, he became outdoor attendant to Lady Willoughby at Invereshie House, for two years. When he was eighteen years old, he became a gamekeeper, and was employed in that capacity for six years at Ballindalloch Castle, and for five years at Beaufort Castle, in the deer forests of Glenstrathfarrer. Mr Macpherson came to New Zealand by the ship “Timaru,” and landed at the Bluff in 1875. He was employed for some time in contracting at Benmore station and also on the New Zealand Agricultural Company's stations, and in 1881 he settled on the site of Balfour township, where he erected a store. Subsequently, he opened an hotel; he was the first hotelkeeper in the district, and held licenses for nineteen page 1040 years for the same hotel. On the opening of the post office, Mr Macpherson was appointed postmaster and held that position for over two years. Mr Macpherson has been instrumental in securing telephone connection for the district, and in the interests of education he gave the use of a school building for two years, besides furnishing it with desks. He has been a continuous member of the school committee, and chairman for many years. Mr Macpherson was one of the founders of the Balfour Caledonian Society, in which he has taken an active interest and is president. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1904. Mr Macpherson was, married, in 1878, to a daughter of Mr John Maloney, of County Clare, Ireland; but his wife died in October. 1890, leaving three sons and three daughters. In 1887 he took up land, and is now farming a property of 998 acres.