My Genealogy Hound

W. R. Pearson is the owner and proprietor of the most extensive saw and planing mill at this place. His mill, which was erected in 1886, at a cost of about $25,000, has a capacity of 30,000 feet daily, and has five miles of narrow gauge railway, of thirty-five-pound steel rail, named the Calhoun County Narrow Gauge Railway, connected with it, and employs a gang of over sixty-five men. Mr. Pearson is a native of New Hampshire, and is a genuine Yankee. He first saw the light of this world May 25, 1845. He has been in a saw-mill ever since he was a small boy, and has become thoroughly familiar with all phases of business. In 1859 he came to Washington County, Mo., from New Hampshire, and engaged in the saw-mill business in that county until 1885, when he came to Dallas County. He remained there one year, and then came to Thornton, where he has since resided. Mr. Pearson has a family of four children, viz.: Orin F. (is his father’s book-keeper at the present time), Maude, Blanche and Corrine. The three latter reside in St. Louis, and Mr. Pearson and his son reside at this place. Mr. Pearson owns 4,000 acres of timber land, and values the land, mill and mill equipments at $70,000. He is an energetic business man, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.