Biography of Thomas M. Pearce, 1902, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames: Pearce, Buell, Masters.

***********************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or 
persons.  Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must 
obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative
of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of 
this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives 
to store the file permanently for free access. 
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ 
***********************************************************************
Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
W. David Samuelsen - November 2001
************************************************************************
An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902
by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 319

Thomas M. Pearce

Mr. Pearce is a native of Boone county, Illinois, born October 4, 1842. When
ten years old he accompanied his parents on the long and dangerous journey
across plain and mountain to the west, and in 1853 the family settled near
Roseburg, in Douglas county. After a residence there of fourteen years;
duration, they removed to California, where our subject's mother died.

The father, L. M. Pearce, moved back to Oregon, after this sad event, settling
in Coos county, where he remained until the time of his death, which occurred
in 1889.

In 1869, Mr. Pearce crossed the Cascades to Baker county, coming here during
the big rush caused by the discovery of gold in Griffin's gulch, and for about
three years after his arrival, he was engaged in packing to Boise and to other
mining towns. About 1865, he engaged in the cattle raising industry in
Umatilla county, which lucrative business was his for the ensuing six or seven
years, whereupon he moved onto a place in Eagle Valley, where he now lives. He
devoted his energies assiduously to cattle raising until about three years
ago, when he sold out most of his neat stock and turned his attention to the
sheep industry. That has been his line of activity ever since.

In politics, our subject is a Democrat. He was married near Pilot Rock in
Umatilla county, on October 6, 1874, the lady being Laura M., daughter of John
and Eliza Carter, the latter of whom is still living at Tillamook. Their union
has been blessed by the advent of six children: Claud M., at Sumpter; Elsie
M., at home; Pery R., F. R., Winnie D., likewise at home, and Elberten,
deceased.

Mr. Pearce has two sisters, Mrs. Florence Buell, Mrs. Matilda A. Masters, both
living in Coos county, Oregon.