tribute.html

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., February 1, 1946, page 1
"From the Trout Lake Pine Murmurs"

TROUT LAKE SCHOOL PAPER PAYS TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF CHARLES AUGUST PEARSON

The passing of C.A. Pearson on Monday, January 21, 1946, marked the end of a significant period in the history of Trout Lake. Mr. Pearson was the last of the first generation pioneers who settled here during the first ten years of valley history. Mr. Pearson was born in Sweden in 1859 and came here from Iowa in 1883. For a short time he worked for the Camerons who lived near White Salmon. There he heard of Trout Lake valley. He settled there the same year under the Homestead Act and continued living on the same place until his death. In 1887 he was married to Miss Susie Stoller, whose family were the first settlers of the valley, coming from Gilmer in 1880. Mr. Pearson always worked for the advancement of the community. He was instrumental in securing a voting precinct in the valley. This was established in 1886, and the first general election was held in the fall of the same year in Pearson's cabin. He was also the leader in establishing the post office in the year 1887 and was Trout Lake's first postmaster. He suggested the name of Trout Lake for the postoffice. The history of our school would not be complete without mentioning the fact that Mr. Pearson deeded the land of our present school site to the district and served on the school board for many years. During the eighties it took three days to make the trip to White Salmon and back, and during the long hard winters the trip was an impossibility. The mail and necessary supplies had to be carried from Gilmer by means of snowshoes. Many of the pioneers who came into the valley before 1890 spoke of the kindness of the Pearson family in helping them get started -- clearing land, building a home and barns, and sharing the precious food, both for themselves and their stock. The Coate Brothers, Frank and Will, and Joseph Aerni Sr., spoke many times of the cordial welcome they received from the Pearsons. Mr. Pearson himself said "Each newcomer to the valley was welcomed like a long-lost brother." This attitude was expressed in the sharing of whatever they had that the new neighbor might need. "In the early years we were like one big family," said Mr. Pearson. Their home was indeed a shelter for the wayfarer. Even the Indians stopped there on the way to the berry fields to leave some of their possessions in his care until they returned. When disputes arose between individuals or over community projects, "Charlie" Pearson was often called upon to be the peacemaker. And now we pay tribute to the courageous and generous spirit of this sturdy pioneer who was in so large a measure responsible for the character and attitudes of those who came after him. We pray that we may be given the same spirit to carry on the work so nobly begun by those valiant men and women who first broke the sod of the "Our Valley".

The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., February 1, 1946, page 1

CHARLES AUGUST PEARSON MEMORIALIZED BY TROUT LAKE SCHOOL FOR DEEDS

Ed. Note - The following was published by the Trout Lake School in memory of the recent passing of Charles August Pearson, a pioneer of that community, and is presented to our readers:
The passing of C.A. Pearson on Monday, January 21, 1946, marked the end of a significant period in the history of Trout Lake. Mr. Pearson was the last of the first-generation pioneers who settled here during the first ten years of the valley history.
Mr. Pearson was born in Sweden in 1859 and came here from Iowa in 1883. For a short time he worked for Camerons who lived near White Salmon. There he heard of Trout Lake valley. He settled there the same year under the Homestead Act and continued living on the same place until his death.
In 1887 he was married to Miss Susie Stoller, whose family were the first settlers of the valley, coming from Gilmer in 1880.
Mr. Pearson always worked for the advancement of the community. He was instrumental in securing a voting precinct in the valley. This was established in 1886, and the first general election was held in the fall of the same year in Pearson's cabin. He was also the leader in establishing the post office in the year 1887 and was Trout Lake's first postmaster. He suggested the name of Trout Lake for the postoffice.
The history of our school would not be complete without mentioning the fact that Mr. Pearson deeded the land of our present school site to the district and served on the school board for many years.
During the eighties it took three days to make the trip to White Salmon and back, and during the long, hard winters the trip was an impossibility. The mail and necessary supplies had to be carried from Gilmer by means of snowshoes.
Many of the pioneers who came into the valley before 1890 spoke of the kindness of the Pearson family in helping them get started -- clearing land, building a home and barns, and sharing the precious food, both for themselves and their stock. The Coate Brothers, Frank and Will, and Joseph Aerni Sr. spoke many times of the cordial welcome they received from the Pearsons. Mr. Pearson himself said, "Each newcomer to the valley was welcomed like a long-lost brother." This attitude was expressed in the sharing of whatever they had that the new neighbor might need. "In the early years we were like one big family," said Mr. Pearson. Their home was indeed a shelter for the wayfarer. Even the Indians stopped there on the way to the berry fields to leave some of their possessions in his care until they returned. When disputes arose between individuals or over community projects, "Charley" Pearson was often called upon to be the peacemaker.
And now we pay tribute to the courageous and generous spirit of this sturdy pioneer who was in so large a measure responsible for the character and attitudes of those who came after him. We pray that we may be given the same spirit to carry on the work so nobly begun by those valiant men and women who first broke the sod in this, Our Valley".