In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1827
From The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881)
JOHN PEARSON, farmer: P. O. Springfield. Mr. P. was born in Yorkshire, England, July 23, 1827, and is the son of John and Mary Pearson. He emigrated to America in 1850; landed in New York, and came direct to Springfield. Mr. Pearson not belonging to the aristucracy of England, his opportunities for attending school were very much limited. Therefore he appreciates very highly the “free school system” of the United States. He lived with his parents until 14 years old, when he hired out to work on a farm at 50 shillings (about $12 in United States money) per year. He continued to work on the farm until he came to America. About one year after his arrival here, he kept a boarding house for the men who were making the Columbus & Springfield Railroad, now a branch of the C., S. & C. After running the boarding house about one year, he rented a farm for a term of four years. When his lease expired, he moved to Illinois and purchased a farm, but, not liking the climate there, sold out and came back to Clark Co., Ohio, and bought a farm of 82 acres. He added to it until now he owns some 1,400 acres of splendid land. He was married, in England, Dec. 15, 1849, to Sarah, daughter of John and Anna Burnley. Of their eight children, five are still living, viz., Martha Ann, Mary Ellen, Eliza Ann, George E. and James B. Mrs. Pearson's mother and one sister died on the ocean while coming to America. Mr.and Mrs. Pearson started in life with no fortune except good characters and good health, and have accumulated a part of their present fortune by their own labor, and a part they have inherited. Mr. Pearson and daughter Mollie visited his native home this last summer. They enjoyed their trip very much, and was well entertained, but Mr. P. prefers America to England. Two of the daughters are at present attending school at the “Springfield Female Seminary.” Mr. and Mrs. Pearson in their younger days worked very hard, but now they take the world easier. They have a beautiful home where they live, situated one mile east of Springfield, on the Charleston Pike.
As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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