Massam Pearson, now a resident of Milford, but still carrtying on a farm in this neighborhood, was at one time the largest landowner and most extensive agriculturist in the township. He operated five hundred and twenty acres, and harvested large crops of the cereals common to this section and marketed fat stock in coniderable numbers. He reduced his landed estate to two hundred and sixty acres, all, all of which is improved land and forms on of the finest farms in the country. It is located on sections 16, 17 and 21. The buildings upon it are first class, and the domestic animals that graze in its pastures are full blooded or thoroughbred. They include Merino sheep, Poland-China hogs, and cattle. Mr. Pearson has a handsome residence and lots in town.

Our subject comes of old English stock and his grandfather, Robert Pearson, was a well-to-do farmer near Darlington, in Yorkshire. There john, the father of or subject, was born and rearedto manhood. In 1836 father and son crossed the Atlantic, the older sons having come to New Jersey a few years before. They came to this state and entered a section of land in Milford Township, on which grandfather Pearson worked until he retired to Milford to spend his last years in quite ease. He retained one hundred and twenty acres of the land, but gave the balence to his children years before his death. He lived to the age of eighty-four.
/br>John Pearson spent a few years on a eighty acre tract oft he original homestead, then sold it and located on sections 20 and 21, buying land which he improved, and finally becoming he owner of nearly four hundred acres. He carried on generaly farming and stock raising until he removed to Milford. He died there in 1874 at the age of three-score. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his father was a local minister, and began preaching when thirty years old. In 1855 he was ordained an Elder and supplied congregations within a citcuit of twenty miles, being in charge of the Lake Class four years. He and his father were members of the first Methodist Class formed in Milford Township. Politically he was first a Whig, then an Abolitionist and last a Republican.

The wife of John Pearson was born in Lincolnshire, England, and came to this country in her girlhood. She married in Milford and is still living there. Her maiden name was Jane Robinson. She has two children; Massam and Prudence, the latter now Mrs. Rutherford, and living in Milford. The son was born in this township Jul 30, 1839, and reared on the farm, on and around which game abounded in his early years. He studied the lower branches in one of the old fashioned rate bill schools, and when sixteen years old became a student in the Leoni or Michigan Union School College. He pursued his studies there two years, then returned to the farm and resumed the work there, in which he had already taken a considerable part. He taught several winters, and for a few years had charge of the homestead. he finally bought it and made further improvements, but in 1879 sold all but two hundred and sixty acres, and bought one hundred acres on section 16. He located on the latter but operated both farms and another tract of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 29 and 31. He finally disposed of a part of this large estate, but still has a suffcient acreage to afford him a fine income and suitable occupation.

Mar 12, 1862, Mr. Pearson was married to Miss Josephine A. Birdsall, the ceremony taking place in Milford. The bride's grandfather, Moses Birdsall, a native of New York, came to this state on a visit and died near Rochester. he was a memberof the Society of friends. His son Joseph was born near Penn Yan, grew to manhood in his native state, and after his marriage located near Fairport, Monroe County. He was hatter by trade, but at his new home engaged in farming. In 1849 he came to this state and county, located in Milford Township and bought two hndred and forty acres on section 20. After some years he retired to Milford, where he died at the age of seventy-five. He had been Justice of the Peace for sixteen years; he was a Republican in politics and a believer in universal salvation. His wife bore the maiden name of Ruth A. Burton, she was born in Connecticut, and died here when secenty-five years old. She had nine children, of whom Josephine was next to the youngest. Her natal day was April 11, 1842, her birthplace was Pittsford, N. Y. ans fairport her home until she was seven years old, when she came hither.

Mr. Pearson was one of the original members of the Fair Association of Oakland County, but is not now identified with the society. He is agent for the Oakland County Monitor Fire Insurance Company, and has represented it ten years. He has been Commissioner of Highways five years, School Inspector and has been a delegate to political conventions, both county and state, and a member of the County Central Committee. He is a stanch Republican with strong temperance principles. He has passed the Chairs of the Masonic Blue Lodge in Milford, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was on the Building Committee during the erection and repairing of teh house of worship, has been trustee and Recording Steward for years, and Class-Leader as well. For ten years he has been Superintendent of the Sunday School.

Mrs. Person is also a devout believer and an earnest worker is connected with the Ladies' Aid Society and the Women's Foreign Missonary Society, and holds the position of Corresponding Secretaryin the latter. In a word, Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have not only been successful in wordly affairs, but have been useful to their fellows and are constantly aiming at a higher life. They have three sons; Charles B., a graduate of Ann Arbor, who is now practicing medicine at Mundy, genesee County; John M. a student at Albion in earlier yers, and now a music teacher in Flint, and organist in the Court Stret Church; and Clarence L., who has not yet left his parents home.