John PEARCE, aged 70 years, died suddenly at his home near Pleasant Grove school house, Monday morning, January 14, 1907.

He was born in Sullivan County, Ind., December 9, 1836, but has been a resident of this county for many years and was regarded as one of the country's best farmers.

He was sitting by the stove reading a paper and had, apparently, turned to tell the family what he had read when suddenly he reeled and fell from his chair, and when members of this family went to his aid they found that death had preceded them and had relieved their loved one of all earthly pain. Death was attributed to heart failure.

Mr. Pearce was a soldier in the Civil War and was a man who had the confidence of all his acquaintances. He was one of the Mt. Vernon Township justices of the peace.

A grief stricken wife and six children are left to mourn the loss of a husband and father. The body was taken to Oaktown, Ind., the old home, Tuesday for burial, where the funeral will be held Wednesday.

Source: Mt. Vernon, IL The Daily Register
Date: January 15, 1907
Submitted by: Mary Zinzilieta

John PEARCE was born in Sullivan County, Ind., December 9, 1836. Departed this life January 14, 1907, aged 70 years, 1 month and 5 days.

He leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his departure.

He was the son of Richard and Virginia PEARCE.

He was married to Adelaide S. Pearce September 13, 1860, who departed this life February 23, 1877.

To this union were born five children: Wesley of Dix; Mrs. Louella GREZZLE, of Terre Haute, Ind.; George, of Pinckneyville; two having preceded their father to the great beyond.

Ocober 16, 1878, he was married to Mrs. Ellen ELY. To this union were born five children: Wm. H., Mrs. Mary H. PIGG, John W., and David F. all of Mt. Vernon. One preceded the father in death.

He professed faith in Christ in early _____hood and united with the M. E. Church, of which he lived a member for 20 years; this church having disbanded, he joined the United Baptist Church at Mariah Creek, Ind. After his removal to Illinois he united with the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, of which he was a loved member at the time of his death.

Mr. Pearce was a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted in Co. F, 14th Regt., Ind. Vol. in 1862. He was a true soldier, participating in many hard fought battles, and was severely wounded in the battle of Gettysburg. After an honorable discharge from this service, he served his country as justice of the peace for over 20 years, which office he was filling at the time of his death. His life of honesty and uprightness was such that to know him was to love and respect him.

His great-grandfather fought with Tecumseh and was in the battle when Tecumseh fell. His grandfather fought with Washington, and his uncle was a colonel in the Black Hawk War and was in the War of 1812.

Source: Mt. Vernon, IL The Daily Register
Date: January 19, 1907
Submitted by: Mary Zinzilieta