bf18

PEARCE, JAMES F.,  farmer, P. O. Cisne, was born in Trumbull County, now Mahoning County, Ohio, August 24, 1820, a son of Amos and Ada (James) Pearce—the father a native of New Jersey, and the mother of Pennsylvania. The father was by occupation a tiller of the soil, and he was a volunteer in the war of 1812, but his services were not required. He was a son ofJoseph Pearce, who was of Holland descent. The parents of our subject raised a family of four children. of whom three survive—Joseph L., James F. and Matilda Hart.

Mr. Pearce's father died when he (subject) was about eighteen years old, and the mother married afterward a Mr. William Dean.

Mr. Pearce obtained a liberal education, having attended, besides the district schools, two academic institutions, and having secured a teacher's certificate he taught for several years in various States, and also in Wayne County, having come here in 1852. For many years, he was an active member of a debating club, and he was always on hand to participate in its proceedings. In late years, he has been often called upon to publicly speak upon the leading issues of the day, and especially upon questions of prohibition and political economy. His arguments possess a great amount of originality, and are delivered with marked oratorical effect. He was an active member of the Union League during the war, and was also selected by the County Grange as their lecturer—an office requiring abilities possessed by but few. He has been Supervisor of Bedford Township, and also Town Clerk and Collector. He was a candidate for Presidential Elector on the Greeley ticket, and was also a candidate for the State Senate.

Mr. Pearce married Eleanor Orr, a daughter of Russell Orr, and the union has been blessed with six children, of whom five are living—Adelia, Frank H., Ralph, Ollie and Fremont.

Mr. Pearce has a farm of 200 acres, to the management of which he gives his present attention.