When my Aunt Jane wrote her Family History book in 1979, she uncovered a story about Christian and Johanna Pearson (my great-great-grandparents): As Jane mentioned, we have not been able to find any records or tombstones that corroborate this story (other than census records showing 2 children not living). Well, something just turned up! Several […]
Clara Pearson: the 1920’s
On June 20, 1921 – just four days short of a year since Will’s death – Clara filed the very last of the required probate paperwork with the Saunders County Court. She had paid off all the creditors, thanks to a loan of $7,000 from her parents. She still held title to the farm, but […]
P.W. Pearson Probate Records, Part 9
Last time, we looked at all the debts and bills that Clara had accumulated since Will’s passing. She owed $6,400 to creditors and her net worth was only $2,200. The farm was already mortgaged. She managed to save the farm, though. How did she do it? First, her attorney helped her shield assets from creditors. This was perfectly […]
The Mystery Postcard, Part 3
I had no idea when I first started looking at this postcard that it would take me in such an amazing direction. Last time, I told you that the person who sent the postcard was likely Eulie Olson, a first cousin of my great-grandfather P.W. “Will” Pearson. Eulie’s mother (Bengta) and Will’s mother (Johanna) were […]
The Mystery Postcard, Part 2
As I mentioned last time, I came across a mystery postcard sent to my great-grandfather P.W. Pearson from a previously unknown cousin, “E.H. Olson”. My guess was that this person had to be on Will’s mother’s side of the family since pretty much everyone on his father’s side (the Pearsons) are well-accounted for. I also […]
