Biography of: James H. Pearl  Laurel County, Kentucky

Source; Biographical Sketches from, "Kentucky, History of the State"
Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, Laurel County
    
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Submitted by: Vera Burnham vburnham@metrocast.net
Date: November 29, 2002

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James H. Pearl, sheriff of Laurel County, KY, and a native of the same, was
born September 28, 1858. This family represent four different nationalities,
English, Irish, French and Welsh. The first of the name was a sea captain,
who resided in Bristol,England, and who came to the United States about 1743,
landing in Baltimore MD. He had two sons, of whom one settled in Connecticut,
and the other in Fauquier County, VA. The latter had three sons: John,
William and Richard. Of these, William Pearl was the great-grandfather of the
present sheriff of Laurel County, KY, was born in Fanquier County, VA, and
came to Crab Orchard, KY, in 1783. Of the other two brothers, John settled in
Bracken County, KY, but to what locality Richard went is not now known.
William Pearl had four sons: John, Edward, William and Newton. This last
named William was the grandfather of our sheriff, was also born in Fauquier
County, VA, but early came to Kentucky, and with his brother John was one of
a party that went from Crab Orchard to what is now Laurel County, to assist
in burying the remains of the men killed by the Indians at McFarland's defeat.
These brothers bought a survey of 12,000 acres in Laurel County, to which
they subsequently removed, William settling on Rockcastle river, and John
on Hazel Patch creek. John had three sons: Newton, Sidney and Granville; his
daughters were, Amanda, Adeline, Annie and Sallie E.  Granville Pearl, named 
above, was born nine miles north of London, March 19, 1817, was admitted to
the London bar March 13, 1842. Was elected to the Legislature in 1846, was
appointed commonwealth's attorney in 1850, and elected to a full term in 1851,
served until 1856, when he was elected circuit judge, and re-elected in 1862,
holding the office twelve years.  William Pearl, grandfather of Sheriff
Pearl, was the father of four sons and four daughters: John, Maggie, Jane,
William, Marshall, Alexander, Sallie A. and Henry. Of these, Alexander Pearl,
father of the sheriff, was born in Lincoln County, KY, March 22, 1811, was a
farmer by occupation, and was a member at the Christian Church. Malinda M.
(Black) Pearl, wife of Alexander Pearl, was born in what is now Laurel County,
KY, and was a daughter of Samuel Black.They had six daughters and five sons,
viz: Bettie, Lee, Jasper, Sallie, Evaline, John A.,William S., Katharine,
Margaret J., James H., and Martha A., James H. Pearl, our subject, was reared
and educated in Laurel County, and devoted the greater part of his time to
agricultural pursuits until 1884, having previously taught school during the
fall and winter. In 1884 he was appointed deputy sheriff, serving until 1886
when he was elected sheriff of Laurel County, which position he still holds.
He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Christian Church.