HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS, E. Polk Johnson, three volumes, Lewis
Publishing Co., New York & Chicago, 1912. Common version, 
Vol. III, pp. 1292-93.  [Full page photograph of Mr. Pearce included with
bio.]
[Mason County]

CHARLES DUKE PEARCE--The field of insurance is constantly attracting men
of enterprise and laudable ambition, who find in this scope for their
dominant qualities, recognizing that the business offers excellent
opportunities for advancement.  Charles Duke Pearce, whose business career
has been one of intense and well-directed activity, is now vice-president
of the Citizen's National Life Insurance Company of Louisville.  He is
closely associated with various other business interests which had direct
bearing upon the commercial and industrial activity and progress of the
communities in which he has lived.
     Mr. Pearce was born in Maysville, Mason county, Kentucky, March 14,
1856, the son of the late Charles B. Pearce, who for over forty years was
one of the prominent bankers of Kentucky.  Charles B. was born in Poplar
Plains, Fleming county, Kentucky, May 27, 1823, and died May 14, 1905.  He
was the son of William Pearce, who was a native of New Jersey and the son
of Samuel Pearce, who came over from England and settled at Little Egg
Harbor, New Jersey, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
William Pearce was the Kentucky settler, and located in Fleming county,
was twice married and left a large family of children.  The mother of our
subject was Maria Shultz, a native of Maysville, Kentucky, and the daughter
of Christian Shultz, who came to Kentucky from Pennsylvania and married
Charlotte Lee, a daughter of General Henry Lee of Virginia, who settled in
Mason County, Kentucky.  Charles B. Pearce organized the private bank of
Pearce & Wallingford, Maysville, of which he later became the sole owner,
and converted it into the State National Bank of Maysville, becoming
cashier and so continuing for many years.
     Charles Duke Pearce attended the Maysville private schools and was
prepared for college in Baltimore, Maryland.  He attended the University
of Virginia from 1873 to 1876, then graduated from Columbia Law School,
New York city, in 1878.  He began the practice of law in Louisville in
1879.  In 1881 he became connected with the Avery Manufacturing Company
of Louisville and in 1883 made a business trip around the world for that
concern.  While on this trip Mr. Pearce made an exhibit of their goods at
the India Exposition held at Calcutta and was awarded a gold medal.
     On January 1, 1885, Mr. Pearce became vice president and business
manager of the Courier-Journal Newspaper Company of Louisville, and so
continued until 1895.  During the month of November, 1895, Mr. Pearce
removed his residence to Maysville and in 1900 succeeded his father as
cashier of the State National Bank, a position he still holds.  He has
become identified with several companies and business enterprises,
including his directorate of the Citizens Life Insurance Company.  The
Citizens National Life Insurance was organized in November, 1909, and Mr.
Pearce became vice president of the same.  The above companies were merged
in 1910, Mr. Pearce continuing as vice president of the reorganized
company, to the management of which he devotes considerable of his time.
He is also president of the Maysville Water Company, and is completing his
fifth term as treasurer of Mason county.  Mr. Pearce is a popular member
of the lodge of Elks and was president of the Kentucky Elks Association
in 1909.  He is also a charter member of the Pendennis Club of Louisville.
     In 1881 Mr. Pearce married Miss Lizzie, daughter of Colonel W. N.
Haldeman, of Louisville.  She died in 1883, leaving one son, Walter
Haldeman Pearce.  Mr. Pearce's second marriage was to Roberta White,
daughter of Thomas P. White, a merchant of Louisville.  To this union two
sons have been born: Charles Duke Pearce Jr. and Thomas White Pearce. His
life record displays an active connection with many interests which have
been directly beneficial to the city and which in their influence have
been far reaching and effective.  Both his public and private life have
been characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty and he stands as a high
type of honorable citizenship and straightforward manhood; enjoying the
confidence and winning the respect of all with whom he has been brought
in contact in business and in public life.

Pearce Shultz Lee Haldeman White
=
Louisville-Jefferson-KY Fleming-KY NJ England PA VA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/mason/pearce.cd.txt