George Pearsall, a prominent citizen

of Coe Township, has been a resident

of Rock Island County since 1854.

He was born in Leeds County,

District of Tohnstown, Ont.,

Jan. 16, 1825, and he is the adopted son

of Jeremiah S. and Ann (Chatterton)

Pearsall. His father was a native

of the State of New York, and his

mother was born in Canada. He was

13 years of age when his parents

removed to the Empire State and

settled in St. Lawrence County.

The family remained there two

years and then made another

transfer, to Monroe County, in

the same State, where the son

resided until he had attained

to the age and privileges of

manhood. He was 12 years old

when he became self-sustaining,

by accepting a position in a

cloth-mill, where he worked

through the seasons of spring

and fall and attended school

during the remainder of the

year. He passed his time

alternately in those ways

until he attained his majority.

He then obtained a situation

as a clerk in a dry-goods

store in the city of Rochester,

N. Y., and continued in the

same employment until he was 27.

In November, 1851, he started

for California, traveling to

the land of gold by way of

the isthmus. He went to

Johnstown and engaged in

mining in the region known

as the Central Mines, and

later he went to Coloma,

where he was similarly

interested. He went to other

portions of the State, and

altogether he spent three

years on the Pacific coast.

He returned to New York,

reaching that city at a date

which made the time complete.

He remained in the metropolis

three weeks and then made his

way to Rock Island County and

bought 320 acres of land,

which is situated on the

southwest of section 24 and

the northwest of section

25, on which no improvements

had been made. He built a

house on section 24 and gave

his undivided attention to

agricultural pursuits.

In May, 1877, while he was

prospecting for coal on his

farm, when the shaft had

reached a depth of 66 feet

from the surface, a vein of

mineral water was struck and a

stream six inches in diameter

ascended with great force,

rising 22 feet in the air.

The spring is located on the

southeast part of his land,

which lies on section 25.

The flow continuing, the

proprietor, in 1879, built a

large frame house on his

farm near a beautiful grove

situated on the eastern slope

of a hill, and his place has

become a popular resort for

people who wish to drink and

bathe in the water and enjoy

a quiet country retreat.

The place is known as "The

Fountain."

Mr. Pearsall was married in

March, 1855, to Sarah J.

Pearsall, and they have seven

children,—George B. and Jerry D.

(twins), Minerva, William R.,

Fred, Luther and Jane. Mrs.

Pearsall is the daughter of

William C. and Jane (Ellingham)

Pearsall. She and her husband

are members of the Congregational

Church at Port Byron. The

latter is a Republican

in political views.

Jeremiah S. Pearsall came to

Rock Island County in 1856

and bought a piece of land

of his son, on which he was

for some time resident before

the death of his wife. After

that event he went to Port

Byron, where he lived two years,

and went thence to Ottumwa,

Iowa, and is resident at the

home of his daughter, Mrs.

Edward McDermott.

Bio contributed by F-A-G member Bob K.

Dr. George Pearsall, a pioneer

resident of Rock Island and

for many years of Port

Byron, is dead at his

home in Tacoma, Wash.

The following obituary

appears in

the Tacoma

Ledger of Aug. 28;

"Dr. George Pearsall died

at his home, 604

South I street, Monday

morning at 5:10 o'clock.

He was

born at Brockville,

Ontario,Canada,

Jan. 16, 1825, living there

until about 12 years of age,

when his family

moved to New York,

near Rochester,

where he lived until

27 years ago, when he went

to California, remaining

there about three years,

during the gold excitement.

After this he

returned to Rock Island county,

Ill., where he was married

March 1, 1855, to Sarah J.

Pearsall, daughter of

Deacon W. C. Pearsall of

Port Byron,Ill.

Seven children were born,

all of whom survive him

excepting Fred C. who died

in 1886. Besides

his widow, four

sons and two daughters

and eight grandchildren survive.

Dr. Jerrie D. and

Nerva M., at home;

Dr. George P. and family

at Spokane; Will R.,

Luther R. and Mrs. Jennie

Edtl and families, of Tacoma;

all of whom were with him

when he passed away,

excepting George R. of Spokane.

Dr. Pearsall moved from Rock

Island,Ill., to Tacoma

April 9, 1903, where he had

been practicing veterinary

work with his son, Jerrie D.

After returning from

California he

united with the

Congregational church of

Port Byron,Ill., of which

he was an faithful member

for about 20 years,

afterwards joining the

Methodist church, being a

member of the First

church of this city at the time

of his death. He bade his

family a loving farewell,

commending them to the

Lord and prayed that they

would all be prepared to

meet in heaven."

Rock Island Argus., September 03, 1907