Francis James and Eleanor Margaret, with infant son Arthur
born in 1892, came from New Zealand to Canada in 1894.
In 1896 they moved to the U.S.A., homesteading near Minot,
North Dakota. Three daughters were born and raised in
the U.S.A.

Arthur came with the family from North Dakota to Lethbridge
in 1908, homesteading on the N 1/2 of 36-7-21W4. They
bought two houses in Lethbridge. In 1913, Arthur and
sister Veda went to Washington to receive teachers' training,
and later taught school there. Arthur returned to Alberta in
1919 to resume farming and breaking land for other farmers.
He also custom threshed for several years. Later he was
employed by Ellison Flour Mills, and in 1927 became a
Watkins dealer, travelling in a new Model T coupe.

In 1929 he married Edna Burkholder of Didsbury. Edna
was born in Ontario in 1904 and came to Alberta as a
child with her parents. They homesteaded near Stettler
and later farmed in the Olds area, before moving to
Didsbury.

Arthur and Edna took over the NW 1/4 of the Henry Salmon
farm (Murfin). A son was born in 1930. Daughters in 1934,
and in 1939.

For about two years Arthur's sister and her husband worked
at the farm, before moving to Fort Macleod in 1935. Francis
Pearse was in failing health and went to live with daughter
his where he passed away in 1937. Eleanor Pearse died in
1946. Arthur and Edna continued farming, later with with their
son on the original land. Arthur passed away in 1969. Edna
in 1995.
During the war years, Edna was involved in the war effort,
helping with the knitting and sewing, also sent parcels to
several of her nephews serving in the Canadian army
overseas.

Later she drove a school bus in the White School area, as
well as belonging to the Wilson-White Community Club.
Besides her responsibilities in the home raising her family,
Edna helped Arthur in the field driving the tractor in the
summer and during harvest. Many times she sold vegetables,
eggs, and turkeys to families in Lethbridge.

Arthur was one of the original founders of the Farmers Union
of Alberta and an organizer of the Coaldale Rural Fire
Association.

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