Pearsall served as Postmaster of Hinsdale longer than any other man in his century. He was appointed by ULYSSES S. GRANT and somehow held on to his office under R.B. Hayes, J.A. Garfield, C.A. Arthur-only to be kicked out by an ungrateful (and Democratic) Grover Cleveland. Postmaster's appointments were notorious political footballs back then, and every new President was amenable to throwing out old postmasters (even if they had been appointed by a predecessor of the same party) and putting in his own faithful man.
Albert Pearsall passed away August 21, 1899, at the age of 69 years.
Mrs. Pearsall also took an active part in the life of the village during her residence here; was a member of the Congregational church, and was interested in Woman's clubs, the Eastern Star and the Rebecca. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. A. R. Robinson of Chicago, who was for many yearsa a resident of Hinsdale, living in the house on the corner of Garfield Avenue and Fifth Street, which is now occupied by the Clarence Morgan family: and two granddaughters, Mrs. George H. Buckley, of Chicago, who was Kathryn Robinson: and Mrs. Mark A. Gifford, who was Mabel Robinson.
THE HINSDALE; Vol. XXXIII. No. 20; HINSDALE, ILL. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1928.
Mrs. Harriet Rockwell Pearsall was born 92 years ago in Gainesville, N.Y. but resided on her Father's large farm near Kalamazoo, Mich. having accompanied her parents there in young girlhood in 1855. She was married by the Rev. Mr. Gloss of the Methodist church at Schoolcraft, Mich. to Albert L. Pearsall, whom she had first met while attending high school in Belvidere. They resided for a time in Belvidere, where he later was engaged in the livery business, and was elected to various public offices serving as collector, assessor, justice of the peace, a member of the town board, and a school director. In 1869 he sold his interests in Belvidere and they moved to Hinsdale where they occupied the home at 138 Fifth Street, now oned by S. W. Banning. Two children were born to them, Henry A. and Eugenia. the latter being the widow of A. R. Robinson. Henry Pearsall died at the age of twenty seven years, called from a career which had promised him unusual success.
In researching this home the Historic Sites Committee of the Hinsdale Historical Society has uncovered a question that has long been savored in the discussion groups of the village.
It is believed that Willam Robbins, known as the father of Hinsdale for his development of the village, first built this house in "Woodside", not far away on Sixth Street. The researchers have found evidence in the DuPage County records to substantiate this, and, in addition, the Robbins' children have agreed that his home was, indeed, built for their father for just this purpose.
We don't wish to create a controversy with this statement. We only wish to note some fascinating historic facts substantiated by Hugh Dugan's "Village on the County Line," printed in 1949, showing a lovely picture of the home: "The oldest existing dwelling in Hinsdale, at 120 E. Fifth St., was built by William Robbins in 1863. A wing, at the rear, was added by A. L. Pearsall."
In July of 1876, Harriet A. Pearsall, wife of A. L. Pearsall, bought the house. Mr. Pearsall was listed as being in the real estate business and, also, Hinsdale's sixth postmaster from 1876-1884. They purchased the house the year he became our postmaster and kept it until 1910. The job of postmaster was a patronage job of its time. Pearsall had been appointed by Ulysses S. Grant. He stayed at his post through four other presidents, only to be relieved of his position by Grover Cleveland. This long employment at that particluar job is evidence of his ability to weather political storms. He is shown in the now famous photo of Hinsdale's important and early residents taken about 1888 in front of Robbins School. And it was Pearsall who added the wing at the rear of the house.
THE HINSDALE; Vol. XLII. No. 11
Mrs Eugenia Pearsall Robinson Passes On _______________________________________
Much Local History Connected with Both Families of Deceased ___________________________________________________
The death of Mrs. Eugenia Pearsall Robinson occurred Thursday, November 19th, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George H. Buckley, 2237 Wwest 108th place, Chicago, following several months of illness. She was interred at Brouswood by the side of her husband on November 21st in the presence of a few old friends.Mrs. Robinson came to Hinsdale from Belvidere, Illinois in 1870 as a girl of 14 years with her father and mother. Mr. and Mrs. Albert L. Pearsall. They first lived on a farm south of Hinsdale, then in the "old Roth house" on Chicago avenue and about 1872 Mr. Pearsall bought the house on Fifth Street now occupied by Samuel W. Banning. This house remained in the hands of the Pearsalls until after Mr. Pearsall's death in 1899.
Mr. Pearsall became well know in village affairs as for a time he was postmaster and for many years had an office on Washington street, where he was justice of the peace and real estate agent.
In 1878 Eugenia Pearsall was married to Albert R. Robinson who was at that time principal of the Hinsdale school. Three years later, Mr. Robinson began his service as principal in Chicago which was terminated only by his death in 1910, when he headed the Crane Manual Training high school.
The Robinson built the house at Garfield and Fifth Streets now owned by Dr. W. K. West in 1887 and there spent many happy years.
For about twenty years Mrs. Robinson has lived in Chicago, but remained in touch with many dear Hinsdale friends, who will mourn her passing.
She is survived by her daughters, Mrs. Mabel R. Gifford and Mrs. Kathryn R. Buckley. A daughter Helen, died in the Hinsdale epidemic of diphtheria in 1889.
Line of descendents
- Henry Pearsall m. Ann Pankhurst
- Nathanial Pearsall m. Martha Seaman
- Thomas Pearsall m. Sarah Underhill
- Samuel Pearsall m. Elizabeth Mott
- Mott Pearsall m. Elizabeth Simmons
- John Pearsall m. Clarinda Walker
- *Albert Pearsall m. Harriet Rockwell
- Albert Robinson m. Eugenia Pearsall
- Mark Gifford m. Mabel Robinson
- Henry Dana m. Mary Gifford
- Clarence Menke m. Rosemary Dana
- Mark Menke
ALL THIS MATERIAL SUPPLIED BY MARK MENKE
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