PEARSON, Charles & Manelious
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 384-385

Manelious PEARSON, deceased, one of the first settlers of Lavalle Township, 
Sauk County [WI], passed an eventful life in that region, and was one of the 
prominent citizens of his community. He engaged in the pursuit of 
agriculture, and at the time of his death was one of the well-to-do men of 
the county. Mr. PEARSON was born near Bradford, Yorkshire, England, in 1810, 
and was the son of Samuel and Mary (MITCHELL) PEARSON. His father was a 
manufacturer of woolen goods, and resided near Bradford until his death. Our 
subject was a weaver by trade, and worked thus until 31 years of age, when, 
in 1842, he came to the U. S. He purchased a farm of 20 acres in IN, and 
later moved to Columbus, Columbia County, WI, where he conducted one of the 
finest farms in that region. He returned to England in 1847, and the 
following year brought his family, consisting of his wife and three children, 
to the WI home. He moved to Lavalle Township, Sauk County [WI], in 1848, 
where he took up 160 acres of land, which has since been the old homestead. 
He erected the first house in the township, and his daughter, Mary Anne, was 
the first white child born in Lavalle Township. The country was wild, and 
abounded with bears, wolves and Indians, and he saw many hardships, and lived 
in wigwams with the Indians for some time. At one time he owned most of the 
land around his homestead, and at the time of his death was in possession of 
320 acres in Lavalle Township, and 80 acres in Palo Alto County, IA, which he 
visited frequently.

Mr. PEARSON was married in England to Sarah WROE, daughter of Thomas and 
Sarah (WORTHINGTON) WROE. The family followed the occupation of farming, and 
were in good circumstances. Mrs. PEARSON was born 13 Aug 1815, and despite 
her advanced age enjoys good health. She reads without the aid of glasses, 
and is active. She now makes her home with her son, Christopher. She has 
crossed the Atlantic [p 385] three times, and Mr. PEARSON took the journey 
seven times. To Mr. and Mrs. PEARSON the following children were born: (1) 
Charles, born 27 Nov 1833, now living in Ironton [Sauk County], WI; (2) 
Martha, born in 1836, now Mrs. James HARRISON, of Ironton; (3) Isaac, born 
in 1839, died in the fall of 1894; (4) Mary Anne, now Mrs. George INMAN, of 
Chicago [Cook County, IL; (5) Thomas, living on the homestead in Lavalle 
Township [Sauk County, WI], which has been divided, and on which he has 
erected a model residence. Mr. PEARSON passed from life 28 May 1893 in 
Lavalle [Sauk County, WI] at the age of 83 years. He took great interest in 
the development of the country, and was a loyal citizen, whose death was a 
loss to the entire community. He was a stanch Democrat, and on the last 
election prior to his death cast his vote for the candidates of that party.

Charles PEARSON, the eldest son of Manelious and Sarah (WROE) PEARSON, is a 
retired farmer, and resides in the village of Ironton [Sauk County, WI]. He 
came to America with his parents in 1848, and enlisted in Sep 1861 in Company 
B, 12th WI Infantry. He saw service under Logan, Howard, Sherman and Grant, 
and was engaged in the sieges of Vicksburg and Atlanta, and in the latter 
engagement was wounded in the left knee, 28 Sep 1864, and has been a sufferer 
in consequence until the present time. He was engaged upon a battery, and 
his hearing became affected, so that now he cannot hear well. He was 
discharged from the service in Nov 1864, at Chattanooga. Returning from the 
army he engaged in farming near Ironton, and continued thus until 1890, when 
he sold his farm to his son, Charles, and has since resided in Ironton.

Charles PEARSON was married 01 Jan 1853 to Martha HARRISON, daughter of 
George and Martha HARRISON, of Lavalle. Nine children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. PEARSON, eight of whom are still living: (1) Eleazer, now living 
in Ironton Township [Sauk County, WI]; (2) Azilla, now Mrs. RABUCK, residing 
in Lavalle [Sauk County, WI]; (3) Jacob, residing in Lavalle; (4) Sarah, 
now Mrs. THORTON, of Lavalle; (5) Selena, now Mrs. STOWE, of Ironton; (6) 
Charles, residing in Ironton; (7) Ida, teaching in the public school of 
Ironton; and (8) Mina, a teacher in the Lavalle school. Mr. PEARSON is a 
member of H. A. Tator Post, G. A. R. In political sentiment he is a 
Republican, and despite the fact that his afflictions are such as kept him 
confined to his home, he takes great interest in the affairs of his party. 
He is a man who has made his influence felt in the community, and is 
deservedly held in high esteem.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly