Ben Pearson

1898- 1971

Class of 1972
Bowhunter, Competitor, Contributor and Influence on the Sport

"Father of Modern Archery"

In addition to being a master hunter and tireless crusader for archery archery, sport of shooting with bow and arrow, an important military and hunting skill before the introduction of gunpowder. England's Charles II fostered archery as sport, establishing in 1673 the world's oldest continuous archery tournament, the Ancient Scorton , Ben Pearson was an accomplished industrialist and inventor. Ben was born in the hill country west of Little Rock, Arkansas. He received little formal education. Despite this, he soon showed skill for intricate work with his hands. This skill would serve him well, and benefit others worldwide in later years.

A deep-thinking visionary, Ben became interested in archery in 1925, after reading an article in a Boy Scout magazine describing how to make bows and tackle. Ben moved to Pine Bluff, in 1927, and was soon building bows and crafting arrows part-time in a backyard workshop. In 1931, with vision and belief, he hired several part-time helpers. In spite of the fact that the country was still in the Great Depression of 1929, sales continued to increase.

Ben's dream really gained momentum in 1938, when Carl Haun, an Oklahoma oilman, visited Ben, wanting to buy arrows for his own grandson. Haun was so impressed with what Ben was doing that he offered to give him financial backing and on March 19, 1938, Ben Pearson Incorporated was formed and began commercial operations in an old sorghum mill in Pine Bluff.

Soon, Ben's inventive genius blossomed. He designed and built much of the machinery enabling the first mass production of bows, arrows and related tackle. (Due to this new revolution in manufacturing, the price of a quality Archery product fell into the reach of all with an interest in Archery.) By 1943, Ben Pearson Co. employed 365. This number grew to 800 to 1,000 by the mid-1960s, with plant facilities covering over 15 acres in Pine Bluff and manufacturing facilities in Canada.

Many believe he was the father of modern archery. It's even been said, "What Henry Ford did for mass producing the automobile, Ben Pearson did for mass producing of archery equipment."

There can be no dispute that Ben Pearson commanded the largest facility, production and numbers of employees and representatives than did any other Archery manufacturer for the better part of three decades.

His promotion of Archery through sponsorship programs, tournaments, instructive Archery films, bow hunting films, personal Archery demonstrations, sponsored demonstrations of representatives, grand international bow hunts, cooperative sponsorship efforts with the Professional Archers Association, Archery Manufacturers Organization, National Field Archers Association, and efforts with Archery clubs and associations might also have been a consideration when he was awarded the Compton Medal of Honor and subsequently inducted in 1972 (the year of inception) into The Archery Hall of Fame in Grayling, Michigan.

A quote from Russ Hoogerhyde stated over 50 years ago

("Archery's 'unsung hero' representative must be Ben Pearson who always gave generously of his time, talents and money to promote archery in all forms, and continues to do so. Ben never takes any glory or recognition for himself") ("Archery's 'unsung hero' representative must be Ben Pearson who always gave generously of his time, talents and money to promote archery in all forms, and continues to do so. Ben never takes any glory or recognition for himself")

Notes of Interest

Founded Pearson Archery in 1932 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
The world's largest manufacturer of archery equipment from the late 1930's to the late 1960's
Initiated the first mass production (on a grand scale) of a full line of Archery products: Tournament bows & arrows, hunting bows and arrows, targets, accessories, hunting points and archery archery sets beginning in the late 1930's
Innovator of the molded fiberglass bow
Sponsor of one of the first professional money tournaments, The Ben Pearson Open , the largest indoor tournament of its time, 1959-68
Promoted archery throughout North America
Was one of the exhibits representing the United States at the Latin/American trade fair in Mexico City in 1963
Appeared on the nationally televised Will Rogers Jr. show performing his archery demonstration to promote archery on live television in 1957
Recipient, National Field Archery Association Compton Medal of Honor
Elected to the Arkansas Outdoor Sportsman's Hall of Fame, 1992
Inducted into the National Sporting Goods Association Hall of Fame, 1996
National Bowhunter Hall of Fame - 1995
Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame - 1999
Arkansas Bowhunters Hall of Fame - 2000

Ben Pearson with world record Polar Bear and Barren
Ground Grissley taken in Alaska in 1965

Ben receives Compton Medal of Honor

Below: Margaret Tillberry, Ben Pearson, Jim Pickering
and Jack Witt at 1967 Pearson Open