Hiram I. Bearss - Early Life and Education

Early Life and Education

Hiram was born April 13, 1875 in Peru, Indiana to Frank and Desdemona Bearss. His father was away on business at the time, but upon returning was informed that his son, "Mike" had been born. Through most of his youth Mike did not seem to like his given name of Hiram and was prone to fighting anyone who used it. He had one brother, Braxton and three sisters, Emmy, Desdemona and Lucy. As a child he got into a lot of trouble, frequently getting into fights and defying those in authority positions above him, including his parents. In addition to the trouble he got into he also had difficulty in school, but managed to do well enough to continue his education. As a young boy he found an interest in horses and became a good rider, winning a horse race when he was only six. When he was a teenager he ran away from home, but was found by his father, several weeks later, tending to some prize horses in a distant town. After convincing his father to let him continue caring for the animals he returned home. Along with his love of horses he was also a good athlete and enjoyed playing football and baseball.

When he was a teenager his father got him into the Notre Dame preparatory school where he continued playing sports, getting into fights and playing pranks on the teachers and other students. Although he completed the first year, even making the honor roll for a few months, he was not allowed to return. During the summer he played baseball in his hometown of Peru and continued to do so every summer for the next several years. The next year he again attempted school, this time at a preparatory school for Purdue University where he only lasted a few months. After accepting a large donation from his father, Depauw University accepted Hiram and while there he played on the school football team. Although he was smaller than the other players and the coach was afraid he would get hurt, he did fairly well. The next year he was not accepted back to Depauw and his father sent him to yet another school, much farther from home, along with his brother. Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, was a military school and did not tolerate Hirams pranks and troublemaking. After the first couple months he planned to leave but was convinced to stay by his brother Braxton. He played football and again found himself in trouble several times and on one occasion threw a potato at a waiter in the messhall. He liked wearing the school uniform and his weapon, but he frequently dropped it in formation when he became angry at the drill sergeant. Hiram and his brother made it through the first year at Norwich and a second as well but at the age of 21 Hiram had enough of school and was looking for something more adventurous.