John Pearson, a prosperous farmer and old resident of the Tenth District of Henderson County, Tennessee, was born in 1834, in Anson County, N.C., a son of Shadrach and Betsy (Cox) Pearson, both natives of North Carolina. The father was born about 1810, was a farmer by occupation. After his marriage, he moved to Henderson County in 1836, locating in the Eighth District, and purchased a plantation containing about 200 acres of land. About 1848, he moved to Carroll County where he resided until his death in 1875. The mother of John died about 1846. Mr. Pearson was twice married afterward, and the father of twenty-four children, eight of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. He was but two years old of age when his parents came to Tennessee, and went with them to Carroll County. In 1858 he married Miss Elizabeth Williams, who was born in Henderson County in 1838. To them one child was born, William Dudley. Mrs. Pearson died in 1864. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Pearson returned to Henderson County and settled on his father's old place. In 1866, he united with Eveline Parker of Carroll County. To this union seven children were born: Sidney A., Lou Emma, wife of John Jones; Kelvin B., Walter C., Priestly, Ethel and L. In 1870 Mr. Pearson bought 200 acres of fine land in the Tenth District, four miles north of Lexington, where he now resides, making altogether about 610 acres. In 1878 he erected a cotton-gin, and in 1886 another one. He gins on an average about 140 bales per year. He is one of the most successful agricuturalists in the entire section, well known and universally liked. He is a staunch Democrat, and is a member of the I.O.O.F. in best standing.