Ephraim Pearson is a retired farmer living in Covington, the fruits of his former toil enabling him at the present time to rest from arduous business cares. He was born on the old Pearson homestead in Newton township, Miami county, in 1834. His father, Wilkinson Pearson, was born June 30, 1803, and when two years of age was brought by his parents to Miami county, where he followed farming throughout his entire life. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends or Quakers, to which he adhered until middle life, when he joined the Christian church. He died April 13, 1882, and his remains wore interred in Pleasant Hill cemetery.

His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elinor Leavell, was born October 21, 1805, and was a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Perry) Leavell, who were among the pioneer settlers of this section of Ohio, corning here at the dawn of the nineteenth century, while the Indians still inhabited the wilderness, through which flowed the beautiful Stillwater river. They advanced far into the country infested by the redskins, but on account of the hostilities of the red men they were obliged to abandon their log cabin and return to the more thickly settled country of Ludlow creek, where their daughter, Elinor, was born. After the Indians were compelled to leave their hunting grounds to the hardy pioneers, who by degrees pushed forward in the forests, where with gleaming ax they would fell the sturdy trees to make a small clearing in order that a log cabin might be erected, Mr. and Mrs. Leavell again took up their abode on Panther creek, where they had formerly endeavored to establish a home. There Mrs. Pearson grew to womanhood, sharing with her family the hardships and trials which come to those who settle on the frontier, and also enjoying the pleasures and privileges known to the early residents of a new locality. On the 2d of March, 1824, she gave her hand in marriage to Wilkinson Pearson and was to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey for fifty-three years, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the days passed by. On the 13th of April, 1882, she was called upon to mourn the loss of the husband of her youth, whose hair was now white with the snows of many winters. He left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and his memory is cherished by all who knew him. He was familiarly known throughout the community as Uncle Wilk, and his wife was lovingly called Aunt Nelly. Her gentle manner, her kindly words and her many estimable characteristics won her the esteem and love of young and old, rich and poor, and no one in the entire community had more friends than this worthy couple. She died November 6, 1898. Her children were: Elmira, who became the wife of James Knouff and died at Greenville, Ohio; Alfred, who died near Pine Village, Indiana; James, who was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Infantry, during the one-hundred-day service and died at Covington; Ephraim, of this review; Richard, who served for three years during the Rebellion as orderly sergeant of Company B, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry, and was discharged with the rank of captain after a long and faithful service, in which he was five times wounded; Job, who was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor; Catherine, who became the wife of Cornelius Dye and died at Columbus Grove, Ohio, and her remains are interred in Highland cemetery at Covington; and Ann Rebecca, who died in 1865.

Ephraim Pearson, whose name introduces this record, received but limited educational privileges, being permitted to attend school for only a few weeks during each winter, and when any special work was to be done upon the farm he was forced to remain at home and assist. He aided his father in the development and cultivation of the old homestead until his marriage, after which he cultivated his father-in-law's farm one year. He afterward located upon his own farm in Newton township and successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1883, when he rented his property and took up his abode in Covington, where he has since lived a retired life, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. During the war he put aside business considerations to serve under the call for one-hundred-day men in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Infantry. For a time he was stationed at Arlington Heights, and was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison at the expiration of his term.

On February 23, 1854, Mr. Pearson was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Caldwell, who was born in Newton township, January 1, 1836, a representative of one of the well known and honored families of the county, and to them have been born four children: James W., a resident of Newton township; Harvey Edward, who died at the age of two years; Alfred Ellis, who is living in Troy; and Hannah A., wife of George Maier, by whom she has one child, Harley W. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have a large circle of friends and acquaintances in this community, for their sterling traits of character have gained them the high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. The success of his life is due to no inherited fortune or to any happy succession of advantageous circumstances, but to his own sturdy will, steady application, tireless industry and sterling integrity.

Mr. and Mrs. Pearson united with the Hopewell Christian church, of Pleasant Hill, in 1859, and since coming to Covington have been devoted members of the church here. Mr. Pearson was a deacon of the Hopewell church for years and served as a trustee of the Covington church. Mrs. Pearson is a member of the Ladies' Aid and Missionary Societies. Mr. Pearson has always been a stanch Republican, casting his first vote for Fremont. He served as a trustee of Newton township for three years and in the same capacity in Newberry township for twelve years. He was urged to accept another term, but declined. He served one term in the Covington town council and four years on the soldiers' relief committee. He is a member of Longston G. A. R. Post, No. 299, and served therein as quartermaster and chaplain. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson were charter members of the Grange and remained with them until their removal to Bradford.