John Angus Macpherson was born 27 Oct 1834 in Scotland (possibly Edinburgh). He emigrated to New York City in the 1850s. According to his Civil War Pension records, he married Emma Isabella Ells in Chicago on 27 Nov 1856. In the 1860 census for New York City, he is living with his wife, her sister and her sister's husband, Fanny and Joseph Sherrot. Emma Ells Macpherson's parents and siblings are enumerated just above them. John's occupation is "Dancing Master."

John Macpherson was a member of the New York Caledonian Club and participated in the club's Scottish Games at Jones Woods, often winning prizes in the dancing competitions. John and Emma had five children: Alice Cidney Macpherson, b. September 1861; Jessie W. Macpherson, born November 1864; Wallace Angus Macpherson, born 18 July 1868; John Robert Macpherson (served in the Spanish American War and was later known as John Williams); and Emma Isabella Macpherson, born 10 Sep 1879. When the 79th New York Highlanders formed, largely from the membership of the New York Caledonian Club, John Angus Macpherson was appointed 2d Lieutenant of Company A. He only served for two months, becoming ill and resigning in August 1861. He died of Bright's Disease in New York City on 15 October 1891. He is buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY, in an unmarked grave next to his father-in-law, Jeremiah Ells, and a brother-in-law Horace E.F. Terry (who does have a Civil War grave marker) - Lot 8999, Grave 888, Section 114.

John A MacPherson