Daniel K. Pearsons was born at Bedford, Vermont, April 14, 1820, and
was educated in the public schools. Entered college at Woodstock,
Vermont, and was graduated as a physician, practicing in Chicopee,
Massachusetts, until 1857. He removed to Ogle county, Illinois, and
became a farmer, 1857 to 1860, and in the latter year began the real
estate business in Chicago, which he continued until 1887, when he
retired from business but remained a director of the Chicago City
Railway Company and other corporations. He has made handsome donations
to various colleges and charities there, including $280,000 to the
Chicago theological seminary and $200,000 to Beloit college. He has
also contributed to the treasuries of several other educational
establishments. Mr. Pearsons seems to be a pupil of Mr. Andrew Carnegie
in some respects, inasmuch as he has a profound belief in the wisdom of
distributing his money for praiseworthy purposes during his lifetime.