Source link : https://usa-news.biz/2024/10/19/louisiana/uncovering-roots-louisiana-family-unveils-fascinating-utah-connection-to-buffalo-soldier-ancestor/
Unveiling the Legacy of Buffalo Soldiers in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Fiona Robinson Hill is passionate about sharing the rich history of the Fort Douglas Military Museum, particularly her research on Buffalo Soldiers in Utah. These distinguished African American soldiers were part of a United States Army regiment established through Congressional action after the Civil War.
“The Buffalo Soldiers arrived in October 1896 and subsequently participated in the Spanish-American War,” Hill explained. Their time spent in Utah was marked by substantial contributions to both local communities and broader historical narratives.
A Surprising Connection
The story took a remarkable turn for Hill on August 16, 2023, when she received an unexpected phone call that brought excitement. “A family reached out to me after discovering our Belonging in Utah series,” she recounted. They had seen a segment dedicated to James Gordon McPherson, whose life was chronicled through two detailed stories produced in 2022.
The Multifaceted Life of McPherson
James Gordon McPherson had a diverse life; he served as a Buffalo Soldier, ventured into business, became Salt Lake City’s first elected ‍Black juror, and eventually took on the role of Christian Evangelist. The family’s call introduced new dimensions to his story: he had two families—one from his first marriage while residing in Utah and another formed after divorcing and remarrying a younger partner based in Louisiana.
Pursuing Family History
This revelation regarding his second family surprised Hill but also highlighted that they were aware of his first family. Rosalyn McPherson, one of James’s granddaughters currently residing in Philadelphia, expressed her desire to uncover‌ more about her grandfather’s past: “We have photographs of him and our grandmother; we’ve known about him throughout our lives but lacked information about his initial family,” she mentioned.
The absence of details regarding McPherson’s life while he lived in Utah left them curious until they stumbled upon the Belonging in Utah program featuring their ancestor’s journey—a critical piece that began connecting their family’s history.
The Quest for Knowledge
A Soldier’s Role During War
During the Spanish-American War era, James Gordon McPherson served as Corporal with responsibilities denoted specifically towards culinary duties as well as assisting surgical staff at a Yellow Fever hospital: “His role extended beyond cooking—he actively participated alongside surgeons helping ill soldiers,” shared Hill. His service concluded when he returned favorable back to Utah with an honorable discharge by 1897.
The post Uncovering Roots: Louisiana Family Unveils Fascinating Utah Connection to Buffalo Soldier Ancestor first appeared on USA NEWS.
Author : Jean-Pierre CHALLOT
Publish date : 2024-10-19 21:48:57
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