My Genealogy Hound

JOSHUA PEARSON, farmer; P. O. West Milton; born on the place on which he now resides, Nov. 7, 1834; is a son of Moses and Sarah Pearson. His father was born in Bush River, S. C., Dec. 27, 1798; his mother was born in Monroe Township, this county, Sept. 7, 1805. They were married in the above township in May, 1823, and settled where our subject lives, in the same year. In 1837, he was sent by the annual meeting of the Friends’ Church, as a missionary among the Indians on the Western frontier; he took with him his wife and five children, of whom Joshua was the youngest; in the missionary field, he remained three years, the appointed time, and for which he received $500 per year; returning to his home, he again assumed the labors of the farm; and on the 7th day of February, 1844, was called to mourn the departure of his wife, in the 39th year of her age. They were parents of eight children, four of whom are living, viz., Mahala, now Mrs. Jay.; Anna, now Mrs. Kelly; Joshua and Abraham; the deceased are Rhoda, Timothy, Nathan and Sarepta; Abraham and Nathan were born on the missionary farm in the Missouri Territory, the former in July, 1837, the latter in June, 1840. Timothy was a member of the 5th Kan. V. I., and was also given charge of wagon teams, but on account of disability was discharged, returned to his home, and soon after died. Nathan was a member of the 44th O. V. I., was twice wounded, after which was stricken down with small-pox, at Knoxville Tennessee, from which he died; he entered the service as a private and rose to Color Sergeant, and was finally elected Captain, but did not live to serve. Abraham was in the 100-day service, and assisted in the capture of the notorious Morgan; he now resides in Washington, Iowa, and has represented his county in the Legislature. Anna’s husband, Kelley, resides in Parke Co., Ind., which he has represented. Mahala, Mrs. Jay, is a graduate of the Antioch College, having won the degree A. M.; she has been Principal of the Earlham College, at Richmond, Ind. Joshua spent one year in the Oberlin College, after which he entered the Antioch, and took the full English course, fitting himself for the profession of teaching, which he followed for twenty years, beginning when he was 18 years old. His father was again married, to Emma Macy, by whom he had five children, of whom only one survives, viz., Obed A.; the deceased are Orlando, Hosea, Zimry and an infant. Mr. P. died July 19, 1874. In 1858, our subject was married to Susan E. Kessler; to them ten children have been born, eight of whom are living, viz., Florent J., Emma J., Martha M., Homer E., Charles L., Anna S., Mary H. and Dorcas; Cordelia B. and Nathan deceased. Mrs. Pearson is a daughter of Henry and Sarena Kessler, who were among the early settlers in this county. Mr. Pearson owns an interest in 130 acres of land which is in a good state of cultivation and well improved. He and his wife have been members of the Christian Church for ten years.