Person:Charles Pearce (1)

! 1. SOURCE 2. PERSONAL HISTORY -

- Autobiography of Charles Rodwell Pearce in possession of Lucile Hales
Agnes H. Pearce family records in possession of Nettie Pearce
Pearce family records in possession of Douglas Pearce
Church records of Montpelier, Idaho 2nd Ward
FHL Films 007176 page 331,336,338,414,684, 1395900
Mariage Cert. 095271 MA 899303
Birth Cert. #BX 689471 Somerset House, London, England
History book: Pioneers and Prominant Men of Utah
8th Handcart party, lead by George Rawley
Sailing Records: 4 Jun 1863 Amazon, 3 Jun 1864 Hudson, 12 Apr 1882 Nevada, 29 Nov 1900 SS Commonwelth.

Charles Rodwell Pearce, tinsmith and blacksmith,was born 3 Oct 1860. in the parish of St. Marys Whitechapel, London England, the son of Charles and Eliza Jane Rodwell Pearce. His parents and grandparents on both sides were already members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was born. His father was a tin smith, and very well trained in his work. His ancestors had been trained guildsmen for generations. His mother was a small, trim, attractive, very English girl.

His grandparents had emigrated to Utah and by the time Charles was three years old they had saved enough money for his mother and her three children to join them there. Eliza and her babies sailed from Liverpool on 4 June 1863, on the ship "Amazon". There was a whole company of saints sailing at this time, fulfilling a prophecy that a shipload of Saints would emigrate from England to Zion. This group was under the leadership of John McKay.

The group was divided into wards on shipboard, and meals, washing cloths, bathing, etc. were rotated in orderly fashion. The Captain was said to have remarked that they were the cleanest company he had ever taken across the ocean. Regular meetings were held, and the support of the other members greatly sustained Eliza Jane, for her oldest child, Eliza, was only five, Charles was three, and Helen was one and a half. Arriving in America they joined a company to cross the plains. Eliza Jane tried to persuade Charles to get out and walk. He said he didn't want to walk and get his shoes dirty, and the driver said his weight wouldn't change their pace enough to be worthwile, so young Charles was permitted to ride.

When they reached Utah, Eliza Jane joined her parents, who were living in Salt Creek (now, Nephi) until her husband could join them. The next summer Charles had saved enough to come across. He was used to living in a city and his trade was more apt to floursh in a large town, so after short time he moved to Salt Lake City, Charles R.'s sister, Helen, died of cancer, or so it was diagonsed at the time. She was buried in the old 17th Ward Cemetery.

While his folks liked city life, Young Charles Rodwell thought Nephi and Farm life were wonderful, and was determined to have a farm of his own when he grew up. He loved the out of doors and enjoyed playing along the banks of the Jordan River in Salt Lake, and recalled walking out to Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake, on dry landall the way. His paternal grandparents lived in Ogden and he loved to roam the foothills near their home.

Charles Rodwell Pearce was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 3, 1868, by Nathan Dacis, in Salt Lake City, a month after his younger brother Edward John, was blessed.

It was then the custom for farmers who came into general conference to engage help on their farms while in town, and when Charles R. was about 16, he was hired by a Scotsman Mr. Severn, who lived in Bear Lake County, Idaho. These farm hands were not always well treated. Charles would sometimes tell of his first years in Montpelier, when he would come in to the house after cutting and hauling logs all day, soaked to the skin, and be sent out to do the chores in the same wet clothes. The next morning the same clothes were worn, whether wet or dry. He also had to get all the milking done before church or stay home, also in the family where he worked, butter was served only at the family's table. When the hired help came in to eat, the butter was removed from the table. And at the time butter sold for not much more than ten cents a pound. As a result of this experience, the table was never set at grandfather's house without a good supply of butter. He said that as a boy he used to dream of having a whole bushel of candy. I can never remember having seen grandfather without a pocket full of candy especially for the children.

1. Autobiography of Charles Rodwell Pearce in possession of Lucile Hales
2. Agnes H. Pearce family records in possession of Nettie Pearce
3. Family records in possession of Douglas C. Pearce
4. Church records of Montpelier, Idaho 2nd Ward
5. FHL Films 007176 page 331,336,338,414,684, 1395900
6. Mariage Cert. 095271 MA 899303
7. Birth Cert. #BX 689471 Somerset House, London, England
8. History book: Pioneers and Prominant Men of Utah
9. Salt Lake Tribune: Obituary 11 Dec 1935 pg.2
10. 8th Handcart party: lead by George Rawley
11. Sailing Records of 4 Jun 1863 SS Amazon, 3 Jun 1864 SS Hudson, Apr 1882 SS Nevada, 29 Nov 1900 SS Commonwelth.

Charles Rodwell Pearce was born 3 Oct 1860. in the parish of St. Marys Whitechapel, London England, the son of Charles and Eliza Jane Rodwell Pearce. His parents and grandparents on both sides were already members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was born. His father was a tin smith, and very well trained in his work. His ancestors had been trained guildsmen for generations. His mother was a small, trim, attractive, very English girl.

His grandparents had emigrated to Utah and by the time Charles was three years old they had saved enough money for his mother and her three children to join them there. Eliza and her babies sailed from Liverpool on 4 June 1863, on the ship "Amazon". There was a whole company of saints sailing at this time, fulfilling a prophecy that a shipload of Saints would emigrate from England to Zion. This group was under the leadership of John McKay.

The group was divided into wards on shipboard, and meals, washing cloths, bathing, etc. were rotated in orderly fashion. The Captain was said to have remarked that they were the cleanest company he had ever taken across the ocean. Regular meetings were held, and the support of the other members greatly sustained Eliza Jane, for her oldest child, Eliza, was only five, Charles was three, and Helen was one and a half. Arriving in America they joined a company to cross the plains. Eliza Jane tried to persuade Charles to get out and walk. He said he didn't want to walk and get his shoes dirty, and the driver said his weight wouldn't change their pace enough to be worthwile, so young Charles was permitted to ride.

When they reached Utah, Eliza Jane joined her parents, who were living in Salt Creek (now, Nephi) until her husband could join them. The next summer Charles had saved enough to come across. He was used to living in a city and his trade was more apt to floursh in a large town, so after short time he moved to Salt Lake City, Charles R.'s sister, Helen, died of cancer, or so it was diagonsed at the time. She was buried in the old 17th Ward Cemetery.

While his folks liked city life, Young Charles Rodwell thought Nephi and Farm life were wonderful, and was determined to have a farm of his own when he grew up. He loved the out of doors and enjoyed playing along the banks of the Jordan River in Salt Lake, and recalled walking out to Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake, on dry landall the way. His paternal grandparents lived in Ogden and he loved to roam the foothills near their home.

Charles Rodwell Pearce was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 3, 1868, by Nathan Dacis, in Salt Lake City, a month after his younger brother Edward John, was blessed.

It was then the custom for farmers who came into general conference to engage help on their farms while in town, and when Charles R. was about 16, he was hired by a Scotsman Mr. Severn, who lived in Bear Lake County, Idaho.

These farm hands were not always well treated. Charles would sometimes tell of his first years in Montpelier, when he would come in to the house after cutting and hauling logs all day, soaked to the skin, and be sent out to do the chores in the same wet clothes. The next morning the same clothes were worn, whether wet or dry. He also had to get all the milking done before church or stay home, also in the family where he worked, butter was served only at the family's table. When the hired help came in to eat, the butter was removed from the table. And at the time butter sold for not much more than ten cents a pound. As a result of this experience, the table was never set at grandfather's house without a good supply of butter. He said that as a boy he used to dream of having a whole bushel of candy. I can never remember having seen grandfather without a pocket full of candy especially for the children. He loved a peppermint-flavored hard round candy called "bulls eyes".

After two years with this first family, he went to work for my great grandfather, Christian Hogensen. He said he always liked working and living at the Hogensen's because he was always well fed there. And it was there he met and won his wife, Agnes Hogensen.

On the 22nd of September, 1882, he and Agnes were maarried in the Endowment House. They then took up a homestead out in Wardboro, just south of Montpelier. Charles built a house, granary and sheds, all of which are still standing (1960). He loved green growning things and planted a row of Balm of Gilead trees for shelter and where he could hang a swing for his children. He loved children and always tried to make them happy.

Within a few years he was able to have a home built in Montpelier, which became the family home. It is a frame house of about eight rooms. It was once light yellow, but was later painted white. There is a porch about three fourths of the way across the front. The porch is ornamented with touches of scroll work so popular at that period. There is a large barn and stable out in the back, as well as a shed for machinery and a granary. The older grandchildren had great fun playing "cops and robbers" in the barn and jumping from the loft onto the new hay, until grandfather found them -- which he always did -- and stopped the fun, partly because of the danger to life and limb, and partly to prevent spoilage of the hay.

He had and enjoyed spirited horses. The team he drove for a while was so spirited that he'd have to drive around the block several times before they'd calm down enough for grandmother to get in, then she'd almost have to take a running leap.

He was an excellent farmer, partly because he loved it and partly because he was always conscientious about everything he did. When it was his turn to irrigate, whether daytime or night time, he stayed at the farm until the job was finished. The family said jokingly that he always had a good place for his animals and machinery, whether they had one or not.

One farm he owned was bought from his mother-in-law, and has been in the family since it was first homesteaded. It had never been worked on Sunday until after he leased it to someone else. His horses were never used on Sunday, because he felt that they needed a day of rest also.

The family as with most farmer's families, hadn't a great deal of ready cash, but grandfather was always generous with everything they did have. If anyone came to see him within an hour of dinner time, he was invited to stay and often did so. The family claims he asked in to eat every beggar he met. Even if the dishes were just barely done and someone came to look at some cattle, or for any cause, he immediately asked them to dine. If grandma said she hadn't anything in the house he'd say," Oh, you can fix something."

He would never permit handouts to beggars outside. He'd insist that they come into the kitchen and grandmother would fry them an egg or two or something of a similar nature. Needless to say there were always quite a number of beggars calling on them.

He was always up at 5:00 a.m., built the fires, did his chores, and then took a short nap. He was a great believer in 15 minute naps twice daily. Often in the morning he'd come in and lie down on the floor on a sheepskin coat.

He was very honest, and often completed a deal even though he lost money on it, rather than go back on his word.

On October 16, 1898, he left on a mission to England for the Church, leaving Agnes with their seven children -- One, their first son, Rulon, just 13 days old. Before he left, he hauled enough wood into the yard to last all the time he was gone, and arranged to rent the farm so they would have an income. Soon after he left, the baby, Rulon, became very ill, and Grandma sent Mabel and Nettie to find the doctor, who was attending a town social. The doctor was a large, jovial man and the two little girls knew he'd hate to leave the party, so they stood outside the building for quite some time, in the cold, before they could get up courage to go in and get him.

The baby was restored to health, but the family suffered many other hardships while their father was away. Money was scarce, and it became necesssay to take in boarders. Also, all of the children had almost all of the childhood diseases and Agnes' father died, while Charles was in England. Through all this their faith remained strong, and they were active in church services.

Grandfather was always good to his family and in a period when family outings, etc. were not common, the Pearce family quite often indulged. When the family went on an outing or even just for a ride, the children always chose to ride in the same wagon or car with grandfather, because there was sure to be candy and nuts passed.

He was rather quick tempered, but was quickly sorry for it, and never held a grudge. He was very patient with his children, and with children in general. One Halloween he overheard some of the children planning to overturn the milk which had been set to cool, so he hid nearby and gave them a good "ghosting". He permitted his sons to have dog after dog, though they always came to a sad end. And when the boys wanted to rebuild cars, etc. they were encouraged rather than discouraged.

For many years after his return from England he helped support his wife's mother, and after Agnes' brother died, he never ordered flour for his own family without ordering for the brother's family, too, and whenever there was a beef or pork butchered, he'd send them some. He helped many others who were not so fortunate as he.

Charles hated debt like poision. Once, during a depression, they had a beef they were planning on for winter food, but because he couldn't raise enough money to pay a debt he owed, he sold the beef and paid the debt.

He loved to read, and his favorite were the scriptures and geography. A man who was on a mission with him said he knew the scriptures better than any one he had ever known. He could quote them at great length. He was devoutly religious. Family prayers were always said twice a day.

He enjoyed singing too and sang in the ward choir for many years. Some of his favorites were, Count Your Blessings, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, and Little Brown Jug.

Physically he was small and spry, he would have made a good Santa Claus' elf. He loved to tweak cheeks, too.

He held many positions, as he was always interested in civic affairs. He served as a member of the school board and for many years was president of the Co-operative Creamery Company. He was president of the Water Company, and served as counselor to Bishop Dalrymple of the Wardboro Ward, counselor in the bishopric in Montpelier, and was a member of the High Council at the time of his death.

Charles never learned to drive, but enjoyed riding with his younger son, Norman, as he drove to the farm. His last trip to Salt Lake City was to attend the Utah State Fair. One day he was out with his son collecting milk for a creamery and somehow slipped or fell from the truck and was injured. The following Thanksgiving time he went out to chop some wood and had an attack of some kind, and within two weeks was dead. He died on December 8, 1936. He was 76 years old.

After two years with this first family, he went to work for my great grandfather, Christian Hogensen. He said he always liked working and living at the Hogensen's because he was always well fed there. And it was there he met and won his wife, Agnes Hogensen.

On the 22nd of September, 1882, he and Agnes were maarried in the Endowment House. They then took up a homestead out in Wardboro, just south of Montpelier. Charles built a house, granary and sheds, all of which are still standing (1960). He loved green growning things and planted a row of Balm of Gilead trees for shelter and where he could hang a swing for his children. He loved children and always tried to make them happy.

Within a few years he was able to have a home built in Montpelier, which became the family home. It is a frame house of about eight rooms. It was once light yellow, but was later painted white. There is a porch about three fourths of the way across the front. The porch is ornamented with touches of scroll work so popular at that period. There is a large barn and stable out in the back, as well as a shed for machinery and a granary. The older grandchildren had great fun playing "cops and robbers" in the barn and jumping from the loft onto the new hay, until grandfather found them -- which he always did -- and stopped the fun, partly because of the danger to life and limb, and partly to prevent spoilage of the hay.

He had and enjoyed spirited horses. The team he drove for a while was so spirited that he'd have to drive around the block several times before they'd calm down enough for grandmother to get in, then she'd almost have to take a running leap.

He was an excellent farmer, partly because he loved it and partly because he was always conscientious about everything he did. When it was his turn to irrigate, whether daytime or night time, he stayed at the farm until the job was finished. The family said jokingly that he always had a good place for his animals and machinery, whether they had one or not.

One farm he owned was bought from his mother-in-law, and has been in the family since it was first homesteaded. It had never been worked on Sunday until after he leased it to someone else. His horses were never used on Sunday, because he felt that they needed a day of rest also.

The family as with most farmer's families, hadn't a great deal of ready cash, but grandfather was always generous with everything they did have. If anyone came to see him within an hour of dinner time, he was invited to stay and often did so. The family claims he asked in to eat every beggar he met. Even if the dishes were just barely done and someone came to look at some cattle, or for any cause, he immediately asked them to dine. If grandma said she hadn't anything in the house he'd say," Oh, you can fix something."

He would never permit handouts to beggars outside. He'd insist that they come into the kitchen and grandmother would fry them an egg or two or something of a similar nature. Needless to say there were always quite a number of beggars calling on them.

He was always up at 5:00 a.m., built the fires, did his chores, and then took a short nap. He was a great believer in 15 minute naps twice daily. Often in the morning he'd come in and lie down on the floor on a sheepskin coat.

He was very honest, and often completed a deal even though he lost money on it, rather than go back on his word.

On October 16, 1898, he left on a mission to England for the Church, leaving Agnes with their seven children -- One, their first son, Rulon, just 13 days old. Before he left, he hauled enough woodf into the yard to last all the time he was gone, and arranged to rent the farm so they would have an income. Soon after he left, the baby, Rulon, became very ill, and Grandma sent Mabel and Nettie to find the doctor, who was attending a town social. The doctor was a large, jovial man and the two little girls knew he'd hate to leave the party, so they stood outside the building for quite some time, in the cold, before they could get up courage to go in and get him.

The baby was restored to health, but the family suffered many other hardships while their father was away. Money was scarce, and it became necesssay to take in boarders. Also, all of the children had almost all of the childhood diseases and Agnes' father died, while Charles was in England. Through all this their faith remained strong, and they were active in church services.

Grandfather was always good to his family and in a period when family outings, etc. were not common, the Pearce family quite often indulged. When the family went on an outing or even just for a ride, the children always chose to ride in the same wagon or car with grandfather, because there was sure to be candy and nuts passed.

He was rather quick tempered, but was quickly sorry for it, and never held a grudge. He was very patient with his children, and with children in general. One Halloween he overheard some of the children planning to overturn the milk which had been set to cool, so he hid nearby and gave them a good "ghosting". He permitted his sons to have dog after dog, though they always came to a sad end. And when the boys wanted to rebuild cars, etc. they were encouraged rather than discouraged.

For many years after his return from England he helped support his wife's mother, and after Agnes' brother died, he never ordered flour for his own family without ordering for the brother's family, too, and whenever there was a beef or pork butchered, he'd send them some. He helped many others who were not so fortunate as he.

Charles hated debt like poision. Once, during a depression, they had a beef they were planning on for winter food, but because he couldn't raise enough money to pay a debt he owed, he sold the beef and paid the debt.

He loved to read, and his favorite were the scriptures and geography. A man who was on a mission with him said he knew the scriptures better than any one he had ever known. He could quote them at great length. He was devoutly religious. Family prayers were always said twice a day.

He enjoyed singing too and sang in the ward choir for many years. Some of his favorites were, Count Your Blessings, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, and Little Brown Jug.

Physically he was small and spry, he would have made a good Santa Claus' elf. He loved to tweak cheeks, too.

He held many positions, as he was always interested in civic affairs. He served as a member of the school board and for many years was president of the Co-operative Creamery Company. He was president of the Water Company, and served as counselor to Bishop Dalrymple of the Wardboro Ward, counselor in the bishopric in Montpelier, and was a member of the High Council at the time of his death.

Charles never learned to drive, but enjoyed riding with his younger son, Norman, as he drove to the farm. His last trip to Salt Lake City was to attend the Utah State Fair. One day he was out with his son collecting milk for a creamery and somehow slipped or fell from the truck and was injured. The following Thanksgiving time he went out to chop some wood and had an attack of some kind, and within two weeks was dead. He died on December 8, 1936. He was 76 years old.

Written by Lucile Farnworth Hales