JAMES A. McPHERON, a well known florist of Carrollton, was born in Tennessee, on the 8^th of Feb., 1826.  His parents were Amos and Hettie (Morris) McPheron.  The father was born in Knox county, Tennessee, Dec. 12, 1797, while the mother’s birth occurred in Virginia.  The paternal grandfather was William McPheron, but it is not definitely known whether he was born in the north of Ireland, where lived the ancestors of the family, or in Virginia, but it is certain that the family was established in America in colonial days.  The grandfather became a planter of Tennessee and resided for many years in that state.  In 1829 the father removed to Morgan county, Illinois and in the winter of 1830-31 he came to this county, where he entered a tract of land from the government, his farm being located seven miles east of Carrollton in Linder township.  With characteristic energy he began transforming the wild land into a cultivable tract tract and continued its further improvement and development throughout the remainder of his active business career.  He also resided upon that place until 1889, when he was called to his final rest in his ninety-second year.  He was a good citizen and a lover of home – a man who was respected by all who knew him.  In his family were three children when he came to Illinois and seven were added to the household after the arrival in Greene county.
     James A. McPheron, the third in order of birth, spent his early boyhood days in Linder township, being reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life and sharing with the family in all the hardships and trails incident to a pioneer existence.  He arly gained practical knowledge of the best methods of developing and cultivating new land and he continued to assist in the operation of the home farm until his marriage, which occurred on the 4^th of November, 1847, the lady of his choice being Miss Amanda C. Cato, also a native of Tennessee.  Her father, George E. Cato, was one of the pioneer residents of Greene county and continued to reside within these borders up to the time of his demise.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. McPheron have been born six children: Edwin Newton, who is now engaged in the jewelry business in Greenfield, Illinois; Ella, the wife of John Scruby, of Roodhouse; Annie E., the deceased wife of Leverett Loomis; Laura, who married John Clough; Robert A., who is now living in Litchfield, Illinois; and J. Clint, who resides on the homestead farm and married Miss Edna Hunt, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
     After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. James McPheron resided in Linder township from 1847 until 1858, when he sold his property there and removed to Carrollton.  In 1860 he came to his present place south of the city, the land to his present place south of the city, the land being now within the corporation limits of Carrollton.  Here he and his son are engaged extensively in the raising of fruit, vegetables and flowers.  They have secured a large trade, placing upon the market excellent products in these various lines and their honorable business methods have secured to them a large and gratifying patronage.  Mr. McPheron’s life has passed uneventfully, but has been characterized by the full performance of the duties that have devolved upon him.  He has taken an active part in church work and for twenty-five years was superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school.  In matters of citizenship he is also loyal and his family and friends recognize in him the possession of many admirable traits of character. 
Source:  Past and Present of Greene Co., Illinois by Hon. Ed. Miner – Publ. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 511