Gubernatoial Candidate

Melville Bruce McPherson, “Mel”, lived from 1876 to 1945 and was the son of Peter and Katherine. He went to the McPherson one-room elementary school on Parnell and then, in order to attend high school in Lowell, he walked seven miles each way from the farm to the school. After that, he attended a short program at Grand Rapids Business School and graduated in 1895. He taught at McPherson School for two years while working on the farm. In 1904, Mel married Nellie Newland. Mel was always a farmer and was deeply involved in public affairs where he represented farmers and rural communities. Nellie also proved to be very insightful and capable in public affairs.

Some of the local offices in which Mel served were Vergennes Township Supervisor for many years, chairman of the County Board of Supervisors in 1924, and the County Board’s tax committee for nine years.

Nellie succeeded Mel as Vergennes Township Supervisor in 1927. She became Chair of the Kent County Board of Supervisors. Nellie was the only woman to hold either the township or county position up to that time.

There was a continuing struggle for years for control of the Kent County Board of Supervisors. It was a battle between Grand Rapids and most of the county's townships and small towns like Lowell. Mel led the townships and small towns.

Mel emerged as a leader with a vision for rural, small-town Michigan. Fair taxation was a strong pillar of that vision. In 1921, the Lowell Ledger reported that “Melville McPherson is a central figure in the battle of for rural Michigan to be taxed fairly. A Grand Rapids paper in the 1920s wrote, "Mel McPherson is State's Expert on Farm Taxation.”

Mel served outside of the political world also. He provided a leadership role in farm organizations across Michigan. He helped organize the State Farm Bureau and later chaired its board. He was a part of the Grange and the Michigan Livestock Association. He was Vice Chair of the Board of the Michigan State Potato Association and Chair ofthe Grand Rapids Mill Producers Association. He was on the board of the Michigan College of Agriculture (later Michigan State University) for about 20 years until his death in 1945.

For many years, Mel’s friends wanted him to run for governor, and he had strong backing from rural and small towns in Michigan. In 1938, the support for Mel was strong, but he believed the state party leadership at the time was corrupt and he was hesitant to align himself with the leadership. Nellie, Mel's wife, advised him, “If you lie down with skunks, you will smell like one." Mel did not run for governor that year.

By 1940, Mel felt that it was now or never. He ran against the incumbent candidate, Governor Luren Dickinson, in the primary. Speaking to the character of both men, McPherson introduced Governor Dickinson to the 1940 Showboat crowd. Both men attended the party before the ceremonies at the home of C.H. Runciman. As evidenced in the photo, both men had a great night.

Mel was defeated in the primary by Dickinson, who then moved on to the general election, where he also was defeated. A Detroit Free Press editorial after Mel’s death said that Mel was too tied to his rural supporters, and that is why he never became governor.

Mel died unexpectedly in 1945. The newspapers praised his honesty, intelligence, effectiveness and competence. They stated that he had a gift for organizing and getting people to work together. Future President Gerald Ford said, "Mel got things done quietly and made few enemies. He knew more about taxes and local government in Michigan than anyone of his generation. He was a very capable leader." His driving principle, his vision, was that government authority should be exercised as close to the people as practical, including the allocation of tax revenue. Mel dedicated his life to protecting and enhancing the lives of people in rural and small-town Michigan. He did so with great skill, technical brilliance, hard work and honesty. His work included bringing as much government authority and revenue allocation as practical to counties, townships and cities. Mel represented Lowell well.

Images:

Primary election, 1940

Michigan Farm Bureau. McPherson is #55

McPherson and Governor Dickinson
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