Bio-Coast Counties
SURNAMES: DUNSTAN, GRAY
In Santa Clara county, Cal., as well as in other communities, almost
every branch of trade is represented by men of ability, who have
learned well how to cater to the public wants in a exceptional manner,
furnishing excellent values to their customers, yet, by a system of
quick sales and small profits, realizing a neat profit on their
investment. Mr. Pearce is just such a man and for the past twenty
years he has conducted a general merchandise store in Los Gatos,
handling hay, grain, wool, feed and hardware, with a complete line of
both staple and fancy groceries. Commencing business on a small
scale, he has enlarged his stock from time to time, showing a great
deal of enterprise by his methods, and his business has increased
correspondingly.
It was in the faraway state of Wisconsin, in Blue Mounds, Dane County,
that Mr. Pearce was born, September 7, 1858, and he is the eldest of
six children born to
William and Louisa
(Dunstan) Pearce, both natives of Cornwall, England, the former
born January 26, 1819, and the latter in January, 1828. The
father emigrated to the United States of America in 1848, settling for
a time near Hartford, Conn. He was a miner by occupation and a
little later removed to Wisconsin, and it was in that state that his
marriage took place, he being united with Miss Louisa Dunstan at Blue
Mounds, in 1856. Mrs. Pearce accompanied her parents to Canada in
1841, and they located for a few years at Charlottetown, Prince Edward
Island, and in 1849 they removed to Dodgeville, Wis. Mr. and Mrs.
Pearce reared a family of five sons and one daughter and in 1860
they came to California. Mr. Pearce followed mining pursuits in
British Columbia for a brief period, and afterwards engaged in
quicksilver mining at
New Almaden for
some twelve years, then moved to a ranch in the suburbs of Los Gatos,
Cal. Many useful years of his life were devoted to the general
merchandise business in Los Gatos. It was about 1869 that he
bought his ranch in the vicinity of Los Gatos, purchasing at that time
one hundred and eight acres of land and turning his attention to
general farming. Selling to advantage in 1884, he engaged in
mercantile pursuits as stated, and a successful business was carried on
there under the firm name of the W. L. Pearce Co, . Incorporated
, until his retirement in 1895. He died in Los Gatos, October 8,
1902. HE was a member of the Christian Church, and in politics a
Republican.
Being but a few years old when his parents located in California,
James H Pearce received his scholastic training in the common schools
of that state, and in April, 1875, he became apprenticed to learn the
blacksmith's trade near Santa Clara. In 1877 he continued his
trade in Los Gatos and the following year entered the employ of
Mr. George Seanor, working at his trade as a journeyman for several
years. Not being entirely satisfied to continue working in this
capacity and desiring to fit himself for mercantile life, he
accordingly entered business college in 1882, taking a complete course
in San Jose, Cal., spending the summers in clerking in a store.
In 1884 Mr. Pearce, in partnership with his father, started in a
general store in Los Gatos and for several years was associated with
him, but in 1887 he sold his interest in this store to his father, and
embarked for himself in Los Gatos, thereby laying the foundation for
his present business.
(see a photo of the store and more
family information here)
The marriage of Mr. Pearce in 1886 took place in Los Gatos, and he was
united with Miss Henrietta G. Gray, daughter of James W. Gray, formerly
of London, England, the birthplace of both. Mr. Gray was a
painter and paper-hanger, and emigrating to America, located in Kansas
City, Mo, in 1865, and in 1882 he went to Los Gatos, Cal., his
present residence. Two children, James H., Jr., and Rita,
brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pearce. In his political
convictions, Mr. Pearce is a stanch supporter of the Republican party,
and he is a valued member of the K. of P, I. O. O. F. and Rebekah
lodges. He takes a fitting interest in educational municipal
affairs, having served on the school board, and at the present time is
a member of the city council.
History of the
State of California of Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California- Guinn, 1904, page 1252
transcribed- cdf
Santa Clara Biography Project
Santa Clara County History-The Valley of
Heart's Delight