Abram Pearson

As printed in 1909

HON. ABRAM PEARSON.

Making the best possible use of his talents and opportunities, Hon. Abram Pearson has not only become a successful man in business, but is regarded as a citizen of wide influence in the community and county in which he resides, having served two terms as a member of the legislature. Mr. Pearson was born near Kansas City, Kansas, July 15, 1837, a son of Moses and Sarah Pearson, who were natives of South Carolina, whence they removed to Miami county, Ohio. Both were of English origin. In their family were eight children, all born in Miami county, Ohio, with exception of our subject. They were Mahala J., the wife of Eli Jay, of Richmond, Indiana; Timothy, deceased; Anna, the wife of Robert L. Kelly, of Richmond, Indiana; Joshua, a resident of Laura, Ohio; Nathan, who enlisted for three years as a member of Company D, Forty-fourth Ohio Regiment and died in the service; Rhoda and Serepta, both deceased; and Abram, of this review. In 1835 Moses Pearson and Henry Harvey were sent out by the Society of Friends, to which they belonged, to establish schools among the Indians in Indian Territory, where the Methodists and Baptists had established similar institutions. These gentlemen took their families with them and maintained their schools for three years, although their were the only white families in the neighborhood. In 1838 the Pearson family returned to Miami county, Ohio, locating on the home farm near West Milton, where the parents of our subject continued to reside until their death. Mr. Pearson was a great favorite with the Indians and two of their celebrated chiefs paid him a visit at his Ohio home several years after his return.

Abram Pearson was reared to maturity under the parental roof, during which time he began his early education in the common schools of the neighborhood, this knowledge being supplemented by two years' study in Antioch College, at Yellow Springs, Ohio. After completing his education, he engaged in teaching, following the profession with success until the time of his marriage in 1862, when he wedded Miss Julia Applegate, a daughter of Elias and Emma (Dehart) Applegate, both of whom were natives of New Jersey.

Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Pearson continued teaching for two years and then removed to Kokomo, Indiana, where he spent one year, while the year 1865 witnessed his arrival in Washington county, Iowa. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Highland township but after a year disposed of that tract and invested his money in the farm on which he now resides, this place comprising four hundred and eighty acres, situated in Jackson township. This farm has been brought to its present state of fertility through the efforts of Mr. Pearson, who has spent many years of earnest effort in cultivating the land, while he has also placed substantial buildings on the place and now has one of the most valuable farms in Washington county. He has always made a specialty of raising and feeding stock and has met with very desirable success.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Pearson was blessed with seven children: Lysander, who is deceased; E. Grant; Nathan Colfax; Anna, the wife of C. E. Brown, of Jackson township; Howard, deceased; Clara Myrtle, who after graduating from the Washington schools engaged in teaching five years and is now at home; and A. P., who is a student of the State Agricultural College, at Ames, Iowa. The wife and mother departed this life May 4, 1906, her remains being interred in Elm Grove cemetery at Washington.

Mr. Pearson is a member of the Presbyterian church and in his political views is a republican and is recognized as one of the local leaders of the party. He served two years, from 1879 until 1881, as a member of the legislature, showing himself qualified to fill the office to the satisfaction of the people whom he represented. He also served continuously for thirty-five years on the school board, during which time he gave efficient service. While giving much of his time to public interests, Mr. Pearson has gained creditable success, being the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred and eighty acres, one of the best in Washington county.

As printed in History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.