Pearce, Albert Edrick

PEARCE, FERGUSON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/28/2003 at 19:20:13

ALBERT EDRICK PEARCE. 

This well-known conductor on the eastern Iowa division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, was born in Clinton on Christmas day, 1860, and is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the county, his parents being Daniel H. and Hannah (Ferguson) Pearce, the former a native of Newport, Rhode Island, the latter of New York. The father came to Clinton county in 1838, passing through Chicago, which at that time contained not more than two dozen houses and these were on “stilts” owing to the swampy condition of the soil. On reaching Iowa they settled on the present site of the city of Clinton and continued to make this place their home throughout the remainder of their lives. The father built the old stone house on the north side of Elm street, between Second and Third streets, the brick part of this structure being erected in 1848, and the stone in 1855. In early life he followed farming and later devoted his attention principally to gardening. This worthy pioneer and highly esteemed citizen of Clinton passed away January 5, 1878, at the age of sixty-three years, and his wife died March 3, 1890, at the age of sixty. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four are still living, namely: Ermina I., Wallace H., A. E. and Inez B., all residents of Clinton. Mrs. Pearce, as a child, went with her parents to Canada, where they died. She then lived with Mr. and Mrs. Hess, and came with them to Clinton county in pioneer days. She married Daniel H. Pearce June 11, 1846.

Mr. Pearce, whose name introduces this sketch, received his literary education in the public schools of Clinton, and after his father’s death remained at home assisting his mother until he entered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company in September, 1883, as brakeman on the Midland division, with which he was connected until 1886, when he was transferred to the Eastern Iowa division. In October, 1885, he was promoted to conductor, and has since served the company in that capacity both faithfully and well. He is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, and is held in the highest regard not only by his fraternal brethren, but by all who know him.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.