Biography & Genealogy: John Rufus Pearson, Class of 1865: Genealogy: Born- March 31, 1846, probably in Salisbury, NC. Father- Giles W. Pearson; Mother- Elizabeth Ellis. Pat. Grandfather- Richmond Pearson, a Col. in the Revolutionary War; Pat. Grandmother- Eliza Mumford. Mat. Grandfather- Anderson Ellis; Mat. Grandmother- Judith Bailey. Never married, no children. VMI Record: Entered VMI- Jan. 1, 1862; Resigned after one year to join the C.S.A. Civil War Record: Appointed 2nd Lieut. Co. F 7th NC Infantry Oct. 15, 1863. Died- Sept. 30, 1864, killed in action at Jones's Farm. Buried in Salisbury, NC.