John J. Pershing was born on September 13, 1860, in Missouri. He was the first child born to John Fletcher Pershing and Ann Thompson Pershing. John had eight younger siblings, but only five survived to adulthood: May, Elizabeth, Grace, Ward, and James. His father owned a general store and also served as postmaster of Laclede, Missouri. Later, Mr. Pershing would purchase land and began farming.
