DENISON PEARCE

PEARCE, CRONK, CRAWFORD

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 8/19/2004 at 13:44:19

Denison Pearce, a resident farmer of Eureka township, living on section 8, was born in Washington township, Adair county, on the 1st of January, 1877, his parents being Frank and Sarah (Cronk) Pearce. The father was a native of England, born in 1840, and came of English ancestry. He took up the occupation of farming as a life work. In 1847 he had accompanied his parents to American, the family home being established in Dubuque county, Iowa, where the grandfather engaged in farming. Early experience made Frank Pearce familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He afterward removed to Adair county, Iowa, settling in Washington township, where he purchased land. Eventually he removed to Eureka township and was connected with its agricultural interests for a considerable period, but in 1899, severed the ties that bound him to this county and removed to Missouri. Later, however, he returned to Iowa and was making his home with his son Denison at the time of his death, which occurred at Adair, he being killed on the 1st of September, 1913, by a runaway team. For fourteen years he had survived his wife, who passed away on the 1st of April, 1899.
After acquiring his early education in the district schools Denison Pearce continued his studies in Shenandoah, Iowa. In vacation periods he worked upon the farm and continued upon the home place until he attained his majority. He took charge of the farm in 1898 and has since resided thereon. He now owns and cultivates four hundred and eighty acres of well improved land, farming all but forty-five acres of his property. He has two hundred acres in the home place on section 8, Eureka township, two hundred acres on section 17, and eighty acres on section 15. He carefully formulates his plans and carries them forward to successful completion. He studies the nature of the soil, practices the rotation of crops and utilizes the most improved methods in cultivating his fields. He devotes his entire time to his farming and stock-raising interests and he feeds both cattle and hogs. He raises a good grade of stock, for which he finds a ready sale on the market. He sends his stock to market in good condition and therefore has no difficulty in securing high prices. That his life is a busy one finds evidence in the well kept appearance of his farm, where everything is neat and orderly and where the work is systematically carried on.
In 1903 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pearce and Miss Manie Crawford, a daughter of P. M. and Elma Crawford. Her father, a native of Indiana, followed the occupation of farming and on coming to Adair county settled in Eureka township, where he reared his family. Following the death of his wife, which occurred on the old homestead, he left the farm and is now living in Linnsburg, Indiana.
Mr. Pearce’s adherence to the democratic party has come as the result of his study of the political questions and issues of the day. He has served as clerk at elections but has never sought or desired public office, feeling that his business interests make ample demands upon his time and energy. He never neglects the duties of citizenship, however, and when opportunity offers takes a helpful interest in affairs relating to the general good.
Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.