Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


FRANCIS PEARCE.
 
        Among the successful and energetic farmers of this county none are more 
deserving of an appropriate mention than is Mr. Pearce. He is a native of 
England, and brought with him to this country that energy and sterness of 
character which are characteristic of the English people in general.  He was 
born in Cornwall, December 16, 1844.  His father is William Pearce, a very 
successful farmer in Santa Clara County, this State. Our subject is one of a 
family of four children�one
girl and three boys�who came to America in 1861, and were wrecked on the Great 
Eastern.  They put back to Liverpool and remained five days, after which they 
continued their westward voyage over the "watery waste," and landed safe at 
Quebec. From there Mr. Pearce went to Wisconsin, and thence to San Francisco, 
arriving there January 27, 1862. He worked first in the quicksilver mines, 
fourteen miles from San Jose, for eleven years. Here he was miner, engineer and 
mechanic. From the quicksilver mines he went to El Dorado County and was 
engineer in the mines there for about one year.  Then he went to Arizona and 
opened up the McCracken mines. Next he went to Mexico, and on his return stopped 
with relatives in Los Angeles County, and decided to purchase a farm and make a 
home. He accordingly bought the forty acres where he now lives. On this tract, 
with his own hands, he has built a residence which would be a credit to the best 
professional mechanic. He is a natural genius, and can make almost anything, 
even to a steam engine. After fitting up his home he began to think it "not good 
to be alone," and accordingly asked Miss Mary V. Callaway to share his joys and 
sorrows through life. The lady accepted his modest invitation and November 29, 
1877, they were made one. She is the daughter of Daniel C. Callaway, of North 
Carolina� who came to California when Mary was ten years old. He is one of the 
successful farmers of Santa Clara County, and is now at the advanced age 
of-eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have had five children; three only are 
living: Emma, Lulu and Mary.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 590
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler