Civil War Union Brevet Major General, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a Brevet Major General in the Union Army. A lawyer before the outbreak of the Civil War, he didn't join the Union Army until 1862, when he was commissioned as a Captain in the 155th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He eventually rose to Colonel and commander of the unit, and rendered particularly distinguished services in the September 30, 1864 Battle of Peeble's Farm during 1864-1865 Petersburg Campaign in Virginia, garnering official praise from Army of the Potomac Commander George G. Meade. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at the Battle of Lewis' Farm, Virginia on March 29, 1865. His citation for that action reads "Seeing a brigade forced back by the enemy, he seized his regimental color, called on his men to follow him, and advanced upon the enemy under a severe fire. The whole brigade took up the advance, the lost ground was regained, and the enemy was repulsed". His Medal for this deed would be awarded to him on September 17, 1897. 34 years later. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers (backdated to September 30, 1864) for "gallant and distinguished services at the battle of Peeble's Farm, Va", and Major General, US Volunteers on May 1, 1865 for "meritorious services during the war". After the end of the conflict he served as a Pennsylvania District Attorney, and in the Pennsylvania National Guard (1870 to 1878), rising to the rank of Major General. During the riots in the coal mining regions of Luzerne County, he commanded the National Guardsmen who were employed to quell the labor related violence, and had fired on the rioters, killing a number of them. This tactic during the unrest resulted in General Pearson being arrested and charged with murder, but a grand jury failed to indict him, and he was exonerated. He passed away in Sewickly, Pennsylvania in 1903.