Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    GEORGE PEARSON

    A representative of the agricultural interests of Concord township, George Pearson was born upon the farm where he now resides, February 10, 1834, and is of English lineage. His grandfather, Thomas Pearson was one of three brothers who came New Jersey from England. They were members of the Society of Friends or Quakers. Thomas Pearson removed to South Carolina where he took up a large tract of land, both for himself and for his seven sons, one of whom was Thomas H. Pearson, the father of our subject. The sons all came to Ohio in 1804, and their father, then ninety years of age, soon afterward followed. Their land in South Carolina was located on Fagies creek, sixty miles from Charleston, but they left that locality in order to establish homes in the fertile Miami valley. Being members of the Society of Friends they did not bear arms during the Revolutionary war, but paid heavy fines instead. After reaching Ohio Thomas H. Pearson, however, attended the regular muster of the militia and the family ceased to be Quakers. He established a home near Fidelity, in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1804, and a quarter of a century later came to the old homestead farm in Miami county, spending his remaining days here. His death occurred in 1884, when he had attained the venerable age of ninety-two years. He married Mrs. Williams, whose maiden name was Rebecca Martindale. Her father, Samuel Martindale, removed from the Newberry district of South Carolina to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1806, and in 1827 took up his abode in Concord township, Miami county. He drove a four-horse team on the journey from South Carolina, and after traveling four weeks arrived at Mill creek, Montgomery county, where he cleared five acres of land, planting it in corn. The same year he resided in a wagon until after the crop was planted, when he erected a cabin home. There are many interesting and peculiar incidents which occurred in connection with warfare, and one of these happened to the Martindale family. Joseph Martindale, the grandfather of Mrs. Pearson, joined the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, and as he was never heard from afterward it was supposed that he was dead. His son Samuel was then only nine years of age and had a younger brother and sister. The mother's health became broken down through the struggle incident to pioneer life and the care of her three small children, and died about the close of the war which brought independence to the nation. As the head of the family Samuel Martindale worked and labored energetically in order to provide for his younger brother and sister. He was married in South Carolina to Miss Elizabeth Campbell, a daughter of John Campbell, whose father, accompanied by a brother, came to America at an early period in the history of this country. A third brother, Dugan Campbell, was an admiral in the British navy and died unmarried, leaving his vast estate to his two brothers in this country. Owing to hardships of pioneer life and separation from home and family, and many times a bitterness engendered among relatives by the Revolutionary war, many family records were lost, and owing to one or more of these reasons the Campbell family neglected to keep a genealogical history. Some years ago a faint attempt was made to establish their rights to the above estate, but the evidence that established relationship to John Campbell and his uncle, the admiral, was lacking, and the attempt proved a failure. Samuel Martindale became the father of five children who reached mature years and were married. One of his daughters became the wife of Thomas H. Pearson, and with her Mr. Martindale made his home. He was about sixty years of age when his daughter, then a maiden of thirteen summers, ran to her sister, Mrs. Pearson, exclaiming "Daddy's father has come." She had heard of the disappearance of the Revolutionary patriot, and on seeing the old man approach must have been impressed by a strong family likeness. Her exclamation, however, proved true, for it was the long lost Joseph Martindale who was supposed to have been dead fifty-seven years. He had heard of the Martindale's in Miami county and made his way to this locality to find out if they were his children. He was then eighty-five years of age and had lost his second wife, by whom he was the father of five sons, then residents of Gallipolis, Ohio. At eighty-seven he was married a third time, and lived to be ninety-five years of age. Samuel Martindale served his country in the war of 18l2. In religious faith the Martindales were members of the Christian church, and were prominent and highly esteemed people of the community in which they made their home.

    George Pearson, whose name introduces this review pursued his education in the common schools of Concord township and spent his youth upon his father's farm. When a young man he went westward, remaining for eight years in Indiana and Illinois. In 1861 he returned to Troy, and for some time has been connected with the agricultural interests of this locality. He has two sisters, one of whom is Mrs. William H. Hackett, of Virginia.

    Mr. Pearson married Miss Isabel Harbison, of Greenville, Darke county Ohio, whose grandfather was a native of Belfast, Ireland, and became the founder of the family in America, establishing a home in Lexington, Kentucky. Her father became one of the pioneer settlers of Eaton, Preble county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have been born three children. Emma, who is a graduate of the Troy high school and resides at home; Frank W., who married Ella Stewart, a daughter of E. Stewart, formerly of Miami county; and William H., who is a graduate of the Troy high school and is still with his parents. The family attend the Christian church and Mr. Pearson gives his political support to the Republican party, but has never sought or desired political preferment, his time being fully occupied by his business cares. He has so capably managed his farm that he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of the community and is regarded as one of the most progressive agriculturists, for he follows the most approved methods of farming and always has the latest accessories and conveniences of farm life upon his place.

    Return to the Biography Index

    Return to Main Page


    Copyright © 2000 by Computerized Heritage Association.
    All Rights Reserved.