HON. N. A. PEARSON.
  
HON. N. A. PEARSON.
Hon. N. A. Pearson, a contractor and builder of Sheridan, whose business ability and high personal worth have won him rank with the city's foremost residents, was born in Sweden on the 1st of July, 1872, a son of Peter and Elna (Pearson) Pearson. The father is still living and yet resides in his native country of Sweden, but the mother passed away in 1906.
N. A. Pearson was educated in the public schools of his native country and in his youth learned the carpenter's trade. After completing his apprenticeship he came to the United States in 1892, first settling in Omaha, Nebraska, after which he divided the succeeding five years between Omaha and Red Oak, Iowa, working at his trade in the two cities. In the spring of 1898 he joined the Omaha police force, with which he was identified until 1901, when he resigned to remove to Sheridan, Wyoming, where he has since made his home. Here he began work at the carpenter's trade and two years later he began taking contracts in partnership with F. E. Ferguson, under the firm style of Ferguson & Pearson. This firm maintained a continuous existence until the fall of 1910 and during the intervening period erected the major portion of the principal business blocks and fine residences of Sheridan, ranking with the foremost contractors and builders of this section of the state. Among the buildings which came into existence as the result of their skill and handiwork was the Sheridan county courthouse, which is the finest in the state. In 1910 the partnership was dissolved, since which time Mr. Pearson has operated independently and his growing success ranks him with the leading contractors of Wyoming. His business is extensive and of a very important character, necessitating the employment of a large force of workmen in the execution of his building contracts. His business interests and his public activity have made him one of the well known men of the state, and wherever he is known he is held in high respect and honor.
In 1902 Mr. Pearson was united in marriage to Miss Anna L. Oliver, of Omaha, Nebraska, and to them have been born five children: George 0., Carl L., Everett L., Harold E. and Esther M.
The family occupies a prominent social position in Sheridan and Mr. Pearson. is identified with many of the fraternal organizations, belonging to Sheridan Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; to Sheridan Chapter, R. A. M.; Sheridan Lodge, No. 520, B. P. 0. E.; Sheridan Lodge, No. 19, I. 0. 0. F.; Bald Mountain Encampment, No. 10, I. 0. 0. F.; and Diamond Lodge, No. 8, of the Order of Rebekah. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He has membership in the Sheridan Commercial Club and cooperates heartily in all of its well defined plans for the upbuilding of the city, the advancement of its commercial interests and the upholding of its civic standards. He and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest.
His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he has become one of the recognized party leaders in Wyoming. In the fall of 1910 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature and served throughout the eleventh general assembly. In 1912 he was chosen to represent his district in the upper house and served through the twelfth and thirteenth general assemblies as a member of the state senate. In 1916 he was again elected to that position and is a member at the present time. He does not lightly regard the duties of office but, carefully considers all vital questions which come up for settlement and his position is never an equivocal one. He stands firmly for what he believes to be right, and whatever he does is for the best interests of his party and for the honor of the state.