PEARSON, FRITZ ANE MYRTLE (RECTOR)

by Myrtle Pearson

Entry F329 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Sod House Home of Fritz and Myrtle Pearson taken about 1922

Fritz ane Myrtle Pearson's 40th Wedding Anniversary 1961

Myrtle Pearson Family 1965. Bak - Don, Bill John.
Front - Hellen, Myrtle, Marlene, Mary

Myrtle Pearson's 80th Birthday 1982

John and Johanna (Martenson) Pearson
and six children emigrated from Sweden to
America in April 1889. Then were soon
blessed with three more children, the young-
est being a son, Fritz Bernard, born in Holt
Co., Nebraska on March 11, 1894. When Fritz
was 10 months old, his mother, Johanna, at
age 36 died.

Fritz came to Cherry Co. from Holt Co.
with his father and family in 1905 at the age
of 11 years. They settled nine miles northwest
of Mullen where Fritz's sister, Bessie, took
care of him until she was married.

Fritz worked at different places until his
brother, Nels, bought a ranch eleven miles
southwest of Mullen. He worked on this
ranch off and on until Nels was married in
1915.

He served in World War I for a year and
a half, being released in January 1918. After
helping his father and a brother, Oscar, on the
homestead for two years, he and Nels bought
some cattle and pastured them on Nels'
place.

On December 21, 1921, Fritz married
Myrtle Frances Rector in Mullen, Nebraska.

Myrtle was born to William A. and Alice
(Speck) Rector on January 23, 1902 in
Mullen, Nebraska.

When Myrtle was four years old, they
moved on a kinkaid 13 miles southwest of
Mullen. In 1913 Myrtle moved to Wash-
ington State with her parents, brothers Art
and Bill, and Grandparents, Dave and Jermi-
ma Speck. They lived there for six months
while father William worked in a sawmill.

On Aug. 14, 1913 Jermima died and was
buried in Elna, Washington. The family
moved back to Mullen, where William
worked on different ranches and Alice ran a
cafe.

Myrtle continued her schooling in Mullen
through the 8th grade. She then helped her
mother in the cafe, working as a waitress. She
also worked in various homes as a hired girl
- cooking, cleaning, etc. until her marriage to
Fritz.

Fritz and Myrtle's first home was with
Fritz' father and brother, Oscar, on the
homestead seven miles northwest of Mullen
on the Middle Loup River. In the fall of 1922
they moved to brother Nels' ranch west of
"Big Creek Ranch" twenty-eight miles north-
west of Mullen.

In 1924 the Pearson's eldest son was born
and Fritz's father came to live with them. He
passed away in January 1926.

The spring of 1926 Fritz started operating
a Dragline for Franke Construction Co.; this
entailed much traveling. They bought a home
in Mullen in 1928 and raised six children, all
of them graduating from the Mullen High
School. Fritz continued working for Franke
until his death in 1965.

Myrtle still lives in their home in Mullen,
being involved in many things. One of her
consistent jobs for many years was making
the Sloppy Jos for the American Legion
Auxillary to sell at the Fourth of July Rodeos
in Mullen. In Dec. 1985 she suffered a light
storke and is now limited to what she can do.

She is living alone; still makes quilts for the
great-grandchildren a as they come along;
enjoys a good game of cards with her friends,
and loves spreading joy to her family any time
they come home.

Children:

1. John Arthur Pearson, born 1924
in Mullen, Ne. He married Norma Caroline
Andrews also of Mullen on Nov. 1, 1942 at
Thedford. Their children are: Larry Arthur,
born 1944 at Mullen; Carolyn
Darlene born 194 at Mullen, and
Marilyn Marlene, Carolyn's twin.

John and Norma live in Fallbrook, CA, he
engaged in earthmoving construction and
contractking, in partnership with son, Larry.

2. Mary Alice Pearson, born 1927
in Mullen. She married John A. Worrall on
Jan. 12, 1952 in Torrington, Wyo. They have
one child, John Pearson Worrall born
1952 at Torrington. John and Mary live in
Sheridan, Wyo. where John is Agriculture
Manager for Holly Sugar Co.

3. Myrtle Helen Pearson, born 1929
in Mullen. She married LaVern C. Dent on
Sept. 29, 1948 in Thedford, Ne. Their
children are: Michael LaVern born
1952 in Mullen; Jane Ann born 1953
in Mullen; Steven Bert born 1955 in
Alliance, Ne. Vern and Helen own and lease
land twenty miles north of Mullen, in Cherry
Co. where they are engaged in ranching with
sons Mike and Steve and families.

4. William Fritz Pearson, born
1931 in Mullen. He married Norma Lou Ball
inger on Dec. 30, 1953 at Denver, Co. Their
children are: Leslie Marie, born 1955
in Alliance, Ne.; Kimberly Sue, born
1956, Alliance; Dana Lou born 1958,
Lincoln, Ne; Wm. Fritz, Jr. born
1961 in Lincoln. Bill and Norma live in
Fallbrook, CA where Bill is postmaster. They
also own an avacado grove.

5. Johanna Marlene pearson, born
1933 in Mullen; married David Dean Mar-
shall, on Sept. 16, 1953 in Mullen. Their
children: Fredrick Joe born 1956 at
Alliance; Donna Jean born 1957 at
Alliance; Deanna Kay born 1959 in
Mullen; Della Marlene, born 1962 in
Mullen. Dean and Marlene are engaged in
ranching 30 miles northwest of Mullen in
Cherry Co.

6. Donald Robert Pearson born
1938 in Mullen. He married Marjorie Ann
Reigle on Dec. 21, 1957 in Mullen. Their four
children: Julie Ann born 1958; Linda
Lou born 1959; Donald Robert Jr.
born 1961; and Susan Irene born
1936 were all born in Mullen. Donald and
Marjorie live in Mullen.