The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Macpherson, Hon. John Alexander
Macpherson, Hon. John Alexander, a native of Victoria, and a successful squatter, was admitted to the Victorian bar, but never practised. Having unsuccessfully contested Dundas at the general election in 1864, he was returned to the Assembly in November of that year for Portland. In 1865, however, he was elected for Dundas, and represented the constituency till his retirement from public life in 1877. On the fall of the second MᶜCulloch Ministry, in Sept. 1869, Mr. Macpherson became Premier of Victoria, with the office of Chief Secretary, which he held till April 1870, when Sir James MᶜCulloch returned to power, and Mr. Macpherson accepted office under him as Minister of Lands. In June 1871 he resigned with his colleagues, but returned to office with Sir James MᶜCulloch in Oct. 1875 with his old post of Chief Secretary, which he held till May 1877, when the Government experienced a crushing defeat at the elections, and resigned. Mr. Macpherson shortly afterwards resigned his seat in the Assembly, and retired from public life.