My Genealogy Hound

James H. Pearsall, a well known resident of Amy, Pontiac township, who is extensively engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber, was born on a farm in Troy township, Oakland County, April 18, 1840, and has resided in this county ever since. He is a son of Henry I. and Mary (Waterman) Pearsall and grandson of Michael Pearsall, who was a native of New York.

Michael Pearsall was one of the pioneer settlers of this region, locating here in 1825, he at once took up the pursuits of a general farmer and made his impress on the early life of the community of pioneers. He was a member of the Baptist Church. He died at the age of 80 years. He had eight children, namely: Clement, Margaret (Birdsley), Dorcas (Bayley), Sherman, who resides in Grand Rapids, Laura (Whitney), Alfred, Henry I., and Volney.

Henry I. Pearsall, father of our subject, was born in Saratoga County, New York, and came to Oakland County, Michigan, with his parents in 1825 when a small boy. He was engaged in farming in this county all his active life, his last 20 years being spent in retirement in his residence in Birmingham, Oakland County, where his death took place about four years ago, at the age of 84 years. His first wife, Mary Waterman, was a native of Niagara County, New York, and was the daughter of David Waterman. To them were born eight children, namely: James H., our subject; Edgar W., deceased, who lived at home most of his life; Volney, who resides in Grand Ledge, Michigan; Amelia (Featherstone), of Oakland County; Cornelia; Francis, of Birmingham, Oakland County; Claude H., of Ypsilanti, Michigan; and Adelbert B., of Amy, Oakland County. Henry I. Pearsall’s second marriage was to Mrs. Eunice A. Powers, a widow, and to them was born a daughter, Belle (Smith), of Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Pearsall was a lifelong member of the Baptist Church, and very active in church work. Originally he was a Whig in politics but became a Republican upon the organization of that party; he voted for William J. Bryan, however, in 1896.

James H. Pearsall spent his boyhood days on the farm and has lived in this county all his life. In 1865, when 25 years of age, he purchased a steam threshing machine which he ran for 12 years and which proved to be a success, netting him profits sufficient to engage in the lumbering business. He has since owned two sawmills which he conducted with much skill and ability; accumulating a small fortune by his early industry, he closed out one mill and at present runs one of the best equipped mills in the county and is looked upon by his neighbors as a creditable citizen. Politically he is a Republican, but takes no active interest in political affairs.

In 1862 Mr. Pearsall was united in marriage to Laura J. Morgan, a native of Troy township, Oakland County, a daughter of Chester Morgan. To Mr. and Mrs. Pearsall were born two children: Frances Geneva, wife of Charles S. Newman, a farmer of Avon township; and Ella S., wife of James Gee, Jr., engaged as foreman at the lumber mill.