JUDGE E. D. PEARSON, a pioneer of the Lawrence County bar, was born at
Springville, December 18, 1829, the eldest of eleven children born to
Eliphalet and Amelia (Lemon) Pearson.  His father was a native of Waltham,
Mass., and in 1818 settled at Jeffersonville, Ind., where he kept a ferry
until 1826,when he was married.  After their removal to Lawrence County,
they resided at Springville until 1863, when Mr. Pearson died.  His widow
moved to Bloomington after his death, remaining there until 1882, when she
came to Bedford, where she is yet living.  E. D. Pearson attended the common
schools in early years and in 1847 entered the State University where he
remained two years.  He received a diploma from the Law Department of the
State University in 1850, after which he immediately engaged in legal
pursuits at Bedford.  The fall of 1852 he purchased the White River
Standard, a paper published at Bedford, which he edited until 1855, when he
sold out and turned his attention to the exclusive practice of his
profession.  In 1852 he was elected State's Attorney for Lawrence and
Jackson Counties, and October 11, 1853, married Caroline, daughter of
Woodbridge and Harriet (Thornton) Parker.   In his profession Mr. Pearson
has made a success, both in legal and pecuniary sense.  In early life he was
a Whig, but since 1856 has been an outspoken Republican.  As the nominee of
his party he was elected Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit in 1873,
serving until 1879.  He and wife have had born to them eleven children, only
Mabel, Caroline, Martha, Henry, Rena and Charles E. yet living.  Mrs.
Pearson and three daughters belong to the Presbyterian Church.  Judge
Pearson is a Camp degree Odd Fellow.  The death of Mrs. Pearson occurred
March, 1883.


Data Entry Volunteer:  Diana Flynn  "ivie@tima.com"