One of the most loved and respected 'old timers' of Barber County was
       George 'Shorty' Peirson - 'What else, considering I'm only five feet
       four' he said. He was born April 18, 1899 to George and Sarah Richardson
       Peirson, in Kirby Thor, England. Shorty's uncle Tom Richardson came to
       Medicine Lodge in 1906, to settle on a farm, southwest of town, promising
       to return for Shorty after he had finished the eighth grade, which he
       did in 1912, when Shorty was not quite fourteen years old, and they
       returned to Medicine Lodge March 23, 1913. He made his home with Uncle 
       Tom and his wife on the farm, working quite hard for about five years. 
       Then during World War I, he joined the U.S. Army and was shipped back
       across the Atlantic. While in France, he visited his family in Westmoreland
       County. Once again in 1968, he returned to England with his son, Robert,
       for a visit.
         Soon after he returned from the war, he was managing the Popular Cafe,
       when he met Wilma Wells, born September 23, 1904, to John and Bonnie
       Adams Wells of Medicine Lodge. Shorty and Wilma were married October 20,
       1922. AFter leaving the cafe he worked in a tire shop woned by R.G. Hall.
       Off and on over the years he worked at the gyp mill. While working there
       in February of 1946, he suffered a massive heart attack. During his
       recovery, Wilma worked at a number of jobs, including the gyp mill. She
       was the first of nine women employed there towards the end of World War
       II, scooping grushed gyp into augers, at 80 cents an hour.
         In 1947, when Shorty's health improved, he opened a men's clothing
       store, over what is now Western Power's office; stocked with army surplus;
       finally settling at 205 S. Main where the business was greatly enlarged.
       He retired in 1963, selling the store to Bill Waller.
         Shorty and his wife, Wilma, celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary
       October 22, 1972. They had four sons; John, Robert, Tom and Jack. Shorty
       died August 11, 1975. Robert died December 13, 1970. Both are interred in
       Highland Cemetery at Medicine Lodge.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 361