John Rhoderic McPherson, a Senator from New Jersey; born in York, Livingston County, N.Y., May 9, 1833; attended the common schools and pursued an academic course; moved to Jersey City, N.J., in 1859; engaged in agricultural pursuits and was also a dealer in livestock; member, board of aldermen of Jersey City 1864-1870, and served as president of the board for three years; member, State senate 1871-1873; presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1876; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1877; reelected in 1883 and 1889, and served from March 4, 1877, to March 3, 1895; chairman, Committee on Naval Affairs (Forty-sixth through Fifty-third Congresses); died in Jersey City, N.J., October 8, 1897; interment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D.C. 

Lodge: Bergen 47 (now Bayonne-Bergen-Temple 99), later Highland 80
Residence: Jersey City, later Washington, D.C.