Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1910 — PHILANTHROPIST PEARSONS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PHILANTHROPIST PEARSONS.

Daniel K. Pearsons, who says that the joy of giving is the most satisfying joy that a human being can know, has given away more than $4,000,000. Forty-seven colleges in twenty-four States have been the recipients of his bounty. His boast is that he will giva

away his entire fortune before he dies. Dr. Pearsons was born in Bradford", Vt., April 14, 1820, and grew up among the granite hills in poverty. He became a school teacher and then a physician, but not being able to make money rapidly in the East he moved to Ogle County, 111., where he engaged in farming. In 1860, at the age of 40, he came with his wife, who was Miss Marietta Chapin of Massachusetts, to Chicago.* He had |5,000 in cash, and began business as a real estate dealer. His first commission was to sell 14,000 acres in Champaign County. He went oiit among the farmers of the State and when he found one dissatisfied, induced him to move. He made it a rule never to misrepresent his, properties, and the result was that tn a few years he gained a tremendous following throughout the Mld-

die West His commissions sometimes ainoufiteirtb $3,000 a week. Living economically he soon amassed a fortune. In 1875 he was elected aiderman from the First Ward. The city’s finances were at a low ebb and repudiation of bonds was seriously considered. Dr. Pearsons went to New York and appeared before the Chicago bondholders’ meeting, offered to pledge his personal fortune to the redemption of the bonds and saved the credit of the city. Mrs. Pearsons died recently and since then Dr. Pearsons Ijas lived quietly at Hinsdale looking after the colleges In which he is interested through his gifts. At 90 years of age he is still young and vigorous. He says he intends to live until he is 100. —Chicago Record-Herald.

DANIEL K. PEARSONS.