Person:Amanda Ward (2)

A Standard History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio, pg. 1095: "On the 28th of October, 1857, was solemnized the marriage of Captain Alexander Pearce to Miss Amanda Ward, who was born at what is now the Village of Gilson, Knox County, Illinois, the date of her nativity having been May 6, 1842. She is the only daughter of Benjamin and Samantha (Pilcher) Ward, both of whom were born and reared in Vinton County, Ohio, Mrs. Ward having been a member of a family of 18 children born to James and Nancy (Sage) Pilcher, who were sterling pioneers of Vinton County, where they continued to reside until their death. Within a short time after their marriage, Benjamin Ward and his wife removed to Knox County, Illinois, where all of their children were born, except the youngest, William J., concerning whom individual mention is made on other pages of this publication. The family finally returned to Vinton County, and here the father died in 1856, his wife surviving him by forty years and having been summoned to eternal rest in February 1896, venerable in years and a devoted adherent of the Christian Church."

A more extensive text about Captain Alexander Pearce, his family and his military career appears on the 18th OVI web site ("http://www.18thovi.com/apearcebio.htm", Biography of Alexander Pearce, Co D). [As quoted from, "A Family History- The Pearces," prepared by Anna Darby in September, 1963 and transcribed with additonal research notations by James Bohannan, June 22, 2010.]:

"It must have been at this time that my Grandmother Amanda entered the business world, putting out her shingle as Mrs. A. Pearce, Fashionable Milliner, Market Street. Opposite Will House. My mother, Minnie C. Pearce, served as her model and sales lady and was assisted by Ida Ward, daughter of James Ward, Amanda’s brother. I have a letter written to my mother in May 19, 1887, showing she was in business at that time and doing very well. My mother at that time was visiting with Uncle Milton Lotts’ family in Galesburg, Illinois. Shortly after my mother’s return that fall the family received a severe blow by the death of Anna Dana Pearce, who died from a perforated ulcer at the age of eighteen. She was a popular, light-hearted girl with a great talent in music. She was an accomplished piano performer and devoted to her church. I do not know when my grandmother terminated her business, but I am certain it was before my mother’s marriage in 1889.

The Pearce home, 312 W. Mill Street is owned by Ben L. Pearce, a grandson, was originally purchased, as nearly as I can tell, about 1858, from a Nelson Richmond. To this property was added two rooms on the west for Alexander’s mother-in-law, Samantha Pilcher Ward, who came there with her young son to live. Judson Caldwell Ward, the son, was born after his father’s death in 1857. There my great grandmother continued to live and carry on her business of carpet weaving. Although I was only four years old when she died, February 4, 1896, I remember some things about her very well – her jovial disposition (her name for me was “old stick in the mud”), the sound of her loom which fascinated me so much I have always wanted one, and the sight and smell of her old corn-cob pipe, still in the hollow of an apple tree which grew outside her door, found long after she was gone."

1. ↑ A Standard history of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio: an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of the industrial and commercial development. (Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1916)
   Volume II, 1092-1096.

   https://openlibrary.org/books/OL23339755M/A_standard_history_of_the_Hanging_Rock_iron_region_of_Ohio

2. ↑ Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953.

   https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X64F-VLF