It’s been a while since I wrote about the Mystery Postcard – here’s a quick re-cap of where I left off. I found in my files a postcard sent to my great-grandfather, P.W. “Will” Pearson, from his “cousin” E. H. Olson. I was unaware of any Olson cousins, so I figured this person had to […]
What happened to Johanna’s babies?
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 […]
