William Gaston Pearson (1859 - 1947)

Born 11 Apr 1859 in Durham, North Carolina, United States

Husband of Minnie R. (Sumner) Pearson — married 6 Jun 1893 in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, United States

Died 22 Sep 1947 at age 88 in Durham, Durham, North Carolina, United States

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Biography

William Pearson is Notable.

William Gaston Pearson was an American educator and businessman.

William Gaston Pearson was born into slavery on April 11, 1859 on the Gary Barbee plantation in Durham, North Carolina. He was the son of George Pearson and Cynthia Barbee, who were pioneer landowners in Hayti community.)

Pearson was self-taught until the age of 21 and graduated from Shaw University with the financial support of Gen. Julian S. Carr. Beginning in 1886, he succeeded James A. Whitted as principal of the Whitted School. He served 50 years as the "colored" superintendent in the city schools in Durham. Pearson held leadership posts in the Prince Hall Masons and the Royal Knights of King David. He was co-founder of the North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association and the first cashier of Mechanics and Farmers Bank (James M. Turner)." (Biography from African Americans of Durham County - A. Vann -- Posted 20 Apr 2018 by krish_mayfield)

He married Minnie R. Sumner on June 7, 1893.

In 1886, Pearson began his teaching career in Whitted High School, a small grade school in Durham and he succeeded James Whitted as principal of the school. He was a close friend of Dr. James E. Shepard, founder of what is now North Carolina Central University and aided Shepard in his efforts to develop the university. Pearson became the first principal of the newly built Hillside Park High School on Umstead Street in 1922. In the 18 years during which Pearson held this position, many significant improvements were made at Hillside. The enrollment increase markedly and in 1923 the school was recognized as a standard high school by the state Department of Public Instruction. In 1931, Hillside was accredited by the Southern Association of Secondary School and Colleges. Pearson was a strict disciplinarian who improved the quality of education at Hillside by demanding dedication and excellence from teachers and students. He housed the teachers in two "teacherages" across the street from his home so he could oversee their activities. He would frequently sit in on classes and evaluate teaching techniques. He demanded course outline from each teacher at the beginning of each semester with progress reports at regular intervals during the academic year. At graduation time each year, Pearson traveled to Southern and Eastern Colleges to try to recruit the best teachers possible. Despite his stringent demands, "Profs" Pearson was well liked by students, faculty and community members. In a Principal Popularity Contest sponsored by the Carolina Times newspaper for black schools in Durham, Pearson came in third with an impressive showing of votes (each ticket sent in counted as 500 votes). Pearson also made outstanding contributions as a member of the Durham community. He was one of the original organizers of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Fraternal Bank and Trust Company, Southern Fidelity and Surety Company as well as and Banker's Fire Insurance Company. He was a trustee of Kittrell College, St. Joseph's A.M.E. Church, the National Religious Training School, NCCU and Wilberforce University. He helped found the Mechanics and Farmers Bank in Durham's "Black Wall Street". [1] In 1927, he received the Harmon Award for Achievement in Business." (krish_mayfield originally shared this on 21 Feb 2017)

He died on September 22, 1947, in Durham, North Carolina, at the age of 88, and was buried in Beechwood Cemetery, Durham, Durham County, North Carolina.

Slave Owner

Gary Barbee

Sources

• Biography from African Americans of Durham County - A. Vann -- Posted 20 Apr 2018 by krish_mayfield

• North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976: Name: William Gaston Pearson; male, Black; age 87; birth date: 1860; birth place: Durham, North Carolina; death date: 22 Sept 1947; Death Place: Durham, Durham, NC, USA; Father: George Pearson; mother: Cynthia Barbee; Spouse: Minnie Pearson

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156485374/william-gaston-pearson

• William Gaston Pearson - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Gaston_Pearson