Mrs Erasmus Darwin Pearson, the wife of Rev. Erasmus Darwin Pearson, was Orpha Matilda Dysart, daughter of John Dysart and Matilda Brooks and sister of Martha Cowden Dysart Mitchell (our line). They resiided in Pike county, Missouri. Thank you to Jim Mitchell for the photocopy of the published documents. The newspaper was not recorded.
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Mrs. E. D. Pearson Dead
This city was shocked Wednesday afternoon by the news that Orpha M. Pearson had passed away suddenly. Mrs. Pearson had been feeling poorly for some time but was able to attend the Century Club Monday afternoon and read her paper. Just after her midday meal Wednesday she complained of a choking sensation and fell back with her death stroke. Physicians were summoned and all was done that was possible but her spirit had taken its flight and one of our best and most useful women was gone. The number of her friends was exactly the same as the number of people who knew her. She had lived in Pike County nearly half a century and no woman every performed her whole duty as a ministers wife more successfully.
Rev. E. D. Pearson is one of the greatest ministers in the whole country and Mrs. Pearson had lived her part of his career in a way that an not be excelled.
She was born in Howard County, Mo., February 22, 1837 and was married to Rev. E. D. Pearson January 6, 1858 and at once came here where she had lived ever since except for three years.
Her husband and four sons survive her. Eugene, John, Dr. D. M. and Rus Pearson are her sons. One daughter, Wilella, died September 21, 1885 at the age of 23.
The funeral was conducted at the Presbyterian church at four o’clock today by Rev. L. N. Montgomery. The floral offerings were beautiful and large in number and the church was filled to overflowing with people whose hearts were sad. Such a life makes the world worth while and we record in public print that greatest of all flowers the love and sympathy of humanity unanimous [the last line seems to be missing]
CENTURY CLUB – Pays Tribute to the Memory of Mrs. E. D. Pearson
The program furnished by the Century club Monday afternoon in the public library was an especially interesting one.
Mrs. John McCune read a most excellent paper on Titian, the greatest painter of the Venetian school. How beautifully she related facts of his life, both public and private, bringing out prominently the peculiarities of his style which place him at the head of the Venetian school.
The talk on the paintings of Titian by Mrs. Ovid Stark was quite interesting. She illustrated her clever talk by exhibiting a number of the paintings of the artist, describing the wonderful shades and bright coloring in the originals which she had seen in the different European art galleries.
Three of the later Venetian artists, Tintoretto, Veronese and Guido Reni, were the subjects of Mrs. Crow’s splendid paper. Although her task was difficult to condense in one short paper the history of these famous artists, she did it surprisingly well, enhancing the interest throughout her reading, by calling attention to copies of masterpieces of these artists.
Miss Whitaker was present in the interest of the public school in regard to the piano which is, in the near future, to be given to the one having the largest vote. Come again, Miss Lizzie, you are cordially welcome at all times.
Before proceeding with the program, our president, Mrs. F. W. Buffum, paid the following eloquent tribute to the memory of our beloved associate Mrs. E. D. Pearson.
“Today we miss a member who responded cheerily to roll call at our last meaning. The loyalty that counts, is the loyalty which shows itself in deeds rather than words. Mrs. Pearson’s lyalty to this club brought her here to fill her place in our program when she…” [Last lines cut off at page bottom.]
RESOLUTIONS – Passed byt the Century Club Memory of Mrs. E. D. Pearson
The following resolutions were added by the Century club in memory of Mrs. Pearson, a Christian, loyal, faithful, true and tried–ever responding (illegible) the calls of active Christian (illegible). There was no task too difficult for her to undertake, showing such compassion and courage in carrying forward benevolent and Christian work as to prove that to be only a woman is no hindrance in the Master’s work.
A woman of superior mind and lovable character; the depth of her unselfish and self-sacrificing love for her husband and children, only the Infinite One can fathom. She has done so much to endear herself to us, therefore, be…
Resolved, that our beloved member Mrs. Pearson, has answered the Last roll call and that her friendship has come a sweet, a treasured memory whose impress we will bear through the years to come. We recall her with becoming dignity, she commanded all our respect; by high intellectual attainments, she excited our admiration by gentle, generous decorum; she gained our affection and reigned in our hearts.
It is unnecessary to speak of the great loss her death has occasioned the Century club — all know it better than any language can express it.
…of us who were so closely associated with her, knew her to be brroad in her conceptions, strong in her convictions. She lived well, wrought well, and…can but feel that she ws who so faithful in her service, her e in her club, in her home and in her church, must be fit for the larger service in her new life in the new world, as the immortal child of an eternal God.
Resolved that the above testimony be spread upon the minutes of the Century club and a copy thereof be presented to her husband, Rev. E. D. Pearson and her children, as evidence of our tender sympathy for them in the [last line cut off].
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