Frederick William Pearson - Edville Cheesemaker

by Nancy Gibson

Fred was born on May 21,1879 in the Bow District of London, England. He was the eldest son of Joseph Pearson and Ellen Dennis. Following Fred’s school years, he worked in a butcher shop in London. On August 12,1901, he married Una Cooper. In a few years, they decided to come to Canada . In 1905, Fred and Una and their two young children, embarked on the vessel, “Dominion” at Liverpool, heading to Montreal. They arrived in Canada on June 5.

After settling in Cramahe Township, Fred found his first employment as the cheesemaker at the Cheese Factory in Edville. During the next ten years, Fred and Una became the parents of five more children.

In January 1916, Fred enlisted with the 139th Overseas Battalion C.E.F. On September 6, 1916 he sailed from Halifax to Liverpool, back to his homeland to defend both his old and his new country. Una remained in Edville, caring for their seven children. Fred spent time in England and France during the war. He returned home in April 1919, after the demobilization of the unit.

There were two more children born to complete this family of seven sons and two daughters.

After the cheese factory closed, Fred was employed in the construction of Highway #2 and then he worked for Cramahe Township in Road Maintenance. He and Una were also the caretakers of Edville school, S.S.#9 Cramahe, as well as the Edville United Church. During this time, the family moved from their residence at the Cheese Factory to a home just a short distance to the west on the Edville Road. They remained there until 1949 when they retired and moved to Norham. Fred died two years later and was interred at Waite’s Cemetery, Edville.