James McPherson: A Legacy of Law, Journalism, and Political Service
James McPherson was a versatile figure in 19th-century American public life, navigating a complex career that spanned the legal profession, high-level government administration, and influential journalism. From his early days in the law firm of Thaddeus Stevens to his repeated tenures as the Clerk of the House of Representatives, McPherson remained a central figure in the political landscape of Pennsylvania and the broader United States.
Early Career and Political Beginnings
McPherson began his professional journey in Lancaster, where he worked at the firm of Thaddeus Stevens and aligned himself with the Whig Party (a political party that advocated for modernization and internal improvements). However, illness forced him to step away from law, leading him into the world of publishing. Between 1851 and 1854, he edited the Harrisburg American and the Lancaster Independent Whig.
By 1855, McPherson expanded his journalistic reach by starting and editing the Pittsburgh Evening Times, a paper associated with the American Party. He eventually returned to Gettysburg to resume his legal practice and took over his father's farm located west of town along the Chambersburg Turnpike in 1858.
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Entry into National Politics
McPherson's transition to national governance occurred in 1859 when he was elected as a Republican to the 36th and 37th United States Congresses. During his time in the House of Representatives, he contributed to the Committee on Military Affairs and the Joint Committee on the Library. His political influence grew further when he became a member of the Republican National Committee in 1860.
Service During the American Civil War
At the onset of the American Civil War, McPherson took an active role in military organization, helping to form Company K of the First Pennsylvania Reserves. Despite his service, he faced a political setback in 1862; he lost his reelection bid after his district—which included Adams, Franklin, Fulton, Bedford, and Juniata counties—was expanded to include Somerset County, introducing opposing Radical Republicans (a faction of the Republican Party that pushed for more aggressive war aims and immediate abolition) into his constituency.
His political resilience led to an appointment by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 as the Deputy Commissioner of Revenue. Following the Battle of Gettysburg, McPherson's commitment to his hometown was evident as he became an officer of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association. Later that year, on December 8, 1863, he was appointed Clerk of the House of Representatives, a position he held until December 5, 1875, following a nomination by Congressman Morehead and support from Thaddeus Stevens.
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Postwar Career and Administrative Influence
The years following the Civil War saw McPherson continue to oscillate between government service and the press. He presided over the Republican National Convention in 1876 and was appointed by President Hayes as the director of the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing from 1877 to 1878.
Journalistic Ventures and Legal Battles
McPherson returned to editing with several high-profile roles, including the Philadelphia Press (1877–1880), the New York Tribune Almanac (1877–1895), and a newspaper in Gettysburg (1880–1895). He also served as the American editor for the Almanach de Gotha.
His administrative expertise was sought again by the House of Representatives, where he served as Clerk for two additional terms: from December 1881 to December 1883, and from December 1889 to December 1891. In his final professional chapters, he acted as the attorney in a 1893 complaint against the Gettysburg Electric Railway, which eventually reached the Supreme Court in the case of United States v. Gettysburg Electric Railway Co.
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Political Maneuvering and Printing Contracts
As Clerk of the House, McPherson wielded significant influence over government printing contracts. He notably shifted these contracts away from Radical Republican publications toward more moderate outlets. Examples of this shift include diverting contracts from the Jacksonville Florida Times to the Florida Union, and from Albion W. Tourgée's Union Register to William Woods Holden's Raleigh Daily Standard. He also awarded contracts to newspapers edited by former Confederate officers.
While he initially granted a contract to The New Orleans Tribune—a black-owned newspaper supported by the Radicals—he revoked this agreement in 1868 at the request of Thomas W. Conway.
Key Facts
- Political Affiliations: Whig, American Party, and Republican.
- Congressional Service: Elected to the 36th and 37th U.S. Congresses (1859–1863).
- House Leadership: Served three separate terms as Clerk of the House of Representatives.
- Government Appointments: Deputy Commissioner of Revenue (under Lincoln) and Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (under Hayes).
- Legal Milestone: Attorney in the Supreme Court case United States v. Gettysburg Electric Railway Co.
| Field | Key Positions / Publications | Notable Period(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Firm of Thaddeus Stevens; Attorney for Gettysburg Electric Railway case | Early career; 1893 |
| Journalism | Harrisburg American, Philadelphia Press, New York Tribune Almanac | 1851–1895 |
| Government | Clerk of the House; Deputy Commissioner of Revenue | 1863–1891 |
| Politics | U.S. Representative; Republican National Committee member | 1859–1863; 1860 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did James McPherson leave his initial law practice?
McPherson left his law practice in Lancaster due to illness, which led him to transition into editing newspapers in Harrisburg and Lancaster.
How did the 1862 reelection affect McPherson's career?
He was defeated in the 1862 reelection because his district was expanded to include Somerset County, which brought in opposing Radical Republicans who influenced the vote.
What was McPherson's role in the U.S. House of Representatives?
Beyond serving as a Congressman, McPherson served as the Clerk of the House of Representatives for three different terms between 1863 and 1891.
How did McPherson influence the press through his government position?
As Clerk of the House, he diverted government printing contracts away from Radical Republican newspapers and toward moderate newspapers, including some edited by former Confederate officers.
What was his connection to the Supreme Court?
McPherson served as the attorney for a 1893 complaint against the Gettysburg Electric Railway, which resulted in the Supreme Court case United States v. Gettysburg Electric Railway Co.