Person:Frank Pearce (3)

The following research notes and obituary contributed by Dr. Anthony L. Troha: "Frank T. Pearce was the owner of F.T. Pearce Company, which manufactured fountain pens and related items in Providence, R.I., and he was one of the founders of the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, a consortium that helps those businesses in the field succeed [this organization still exists today; see their website for more on their history: http://www.mjsa.org/about_us/media_resources/mjsa_history]. He was joined in his business by his son Aldridge Gardiner Pearce, but sadly, both of them died within a year of each other. This is alluded to in an industry publication:

Metal Industry, Volume 12 (1914) - Page 317 "Owing to the recent death of Frank T. Pearce and Aldridge G. Pearce there has been a reorganization in the manufacturing jewelry firm of F. T. Pearce Company. D. M. Wall, who has been with the company since 1879 as foreman, has been elected president and general manager, and J. J. Laney, of Buffalo, N. Y., has been elected secretary and treasurer."

Frank Thomas Pearce was a Mason, so I uncovered his obituary through Google Books, but the library that possesses the original copy still thinks that it may be under copyright, so one can only see "snippets" of text. Despite this, I was able to piece together the first page of his obituary:

"Proceedings of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third and Last Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America." by The Scottish Rite (Masonic Order), Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction, Boston, (1913). Page 257:

"OBITUARY FRANK THOMAS PEARCE, 33°, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General, was born in Providence, RI, November 13, 1848. His death occurred June 17, 1913, following a complication of heart trouble; he was in his 65th year. He was the son of Franklin and Elizabeth (Najac) Pearce, and came of historic English ancestry.

Brother Pearce was of the eighth generation of Richard Pearce the progenitor of the family in America, our brother's father, Franklin Pearce, being descended from John Alden, and Priscilla Mullins, of the Plymouth Colony.

He was educated in the public schools of Providence, and upon finishing his studies in the High School, entered the employ of the Kendall Manufacturing Co., remaining in charge of their shipping department and as local representative for that house for seven years. In 1871, he accepted a position with the firm of Richard Cross & Sons, manufacturers of gold pens and pencils, and from that time until his death, was actively and prominently identified in this branch of the jewelry trade. Brother PEARCE in 1879 became the senior partner of the firm of Pearce & Hoagland, subsequently purchasing his partner's interests, the firm became F. T. Pearce & Co., continuing under that name until 1907, when by an act of incorporation, it was organized as the F. T. Peace Company, with our brother as president, and his son, ALDRIDGE GARDINER PEARCE, as treasurer. The growth of the establishment is rated as the largest of its kind in New England, and is a monument to our brother's integrity, ability and devotion. Brother PEARCE was one of the original members of the New England Manufacturing Jewelers' & Silversmiths' Association and was its president from 1898 to 1902. He was indefatigable in his efforts for the growth, advancement and welfare of the Association and their combined interests. His genial, friendly nature endeared him to hosts of associates, while his keen foresight and administrative ability distinguished him as a leader among his fellows.

In politics our brother was a staunch Republican, and while serving under important Commissions from the Governor of the State of Rhode Island, it was not until the latter part of his life that he allowed the use of his name as a candidate for elective office. He received the nomination, ..." [the obituary continues onto the next page, but I was unable to extract any further text].

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Frank Thomas Pearce was apparently elected as a state representative:

"State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

Official Count of the Ballots Cast for General Officers, Senators and Representatives in the General Assembly, and For and Against the Constitutional Amendment Article XVI, and the State Highway Construction Loan at the Election Tuesday, November 7, 1911." Prepared by the State Returning Board (1911). Page 9:

[Providence County listing begins on Page 8]

[Representative - Republican - ] "...Twenty-First District, Frank T. Pearce;..."

1.   Obituary.
2.   Pierce, Frederick Clifton. Pearce genealogy: being the record of the posterity of Richard Pearce, an early inhabitant of Portsmouth, in Rhode Island, who came from England, and whose genealogy is traced back to 972. (Rockford, Illinois: unknown, 1888)
   pgs 120, 135.