William H. Pearson

PEARSON, MURCH, RUTAN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/10/2021 at 16:37:48

William H. Pearson, Pleasant Grove township, son of Richard and Mary A. (Murch) Pearson, was born in Lewiston, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1829.

His father was a hotelkeeper and also a civil engineer. He emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1833, locating in Columbus, Ohio, thence to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he took a contract on the Wabash canal, then building. He subsequently removed to Niles, Michigan, thence to Chicago, and from there to Cassville, Wisconsin. After remaining there three years he went with his family to Clayton county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. He died in Atlantic, Iowa, in October, 1882, aged eighty-eight.

Our subject came to Minnesota in 1855, first locating on section 36, Eyota township. He made the first arrest in the township, the details of which are as follows: Henry Brown had assaulted and severely injured a neighbor, and Mr. Pearson was selected to capture him. He went to Justice Nathan Phelps, of Pleasant Grove, who gave him authority. He was nearly a week finding his man, but finally captured him, although he drew an ax and threatened to brain Pearson if he came near.

Our subject was married January 1, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth Rutan, a native of Pennsylvania. Maria A., Olin H., Elizabeth G., William H. (deceased), Robert L., James, Mildred E., Margaret C. and Paul R. are their children's names.

Mrs. Pearson died in February, 1875. Our subject is a member of the A.O.U.W. at Rochester. He came to Pleasant Grove in October, 1872, locating on section 3.

~History of Winona and Olmsted Counties, Minnesota, 1883, pg 936-937

Notes by the contributor: William H. Pearson was my 2nd g-grand uncle; the brother of my gg-grandfather George W. Pearson. Their parents Richard (died 1882) & Mary A. (died 1880) are buried in Grand Meadow Cemetery, Clayton co. IA. William H. died in 1894 and is buried Olmsted co. MN, Marion twp. cemetery, row 30. He was a veteran of the Mexican war, serving in an Iowa regiment.