A Brief Family History and Genealogy of Riley ... - TimPearson.com

Introduction
Introduction
The focus of this family history is Riley Cephas and Rumina Elizabeth (Guss) Pearson.
It covers eight generations of the Pearson family and ten generations of the Guss
Family.
Riley and Rumina met in Crawford County, Kansas. They were married at Rumina's
parent's house January 17, 1869 in Girard. Both of their families had settled in
Crawford County, Kansas in the 1850s and 1860s respectively. The Pearson's from
Iowa and the Guss' from Illinois.
Riley and Rumina remained in Crawford County, Kansas for forty years after they were
married. All eleven of their children were born there. Eight of their children survived to
adulthood.
Fannie, Ancel, John, Robert, Mary, George, Earl, and Eldia, about 1894.
Starting in 1908, the Pearson men took several trips back and forth to Montana in
search of a better life. There was free land to be had. By 1912, the entire Pearson
clan had made the journey for good; Riley, Rumina, and all eight of their children. The
children were grown, the youngest, Ancel, was 19 years old. The four older children;
Mary, Fannie, John, and Eldia had families of their own. The extended Pearson family
eventually filed a total of thirteen land patents in Montana, twelve in Stillwater County.
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