454 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Pearce left a beloved wife, the companion of forty-one years of 

 wedded life, without, as she writes, a sing-le separation, except at the 

 time of his death, when she had gone to Montana, to take to its home 

 a little grandchild. Three children also survive him: Mrs. D. F. 

 Smith, of Monarch, Montana, a younger daughter, Rhoda, teaching 

 there, and an only son, Victor, whose home is at Herman, Minn. 



The society records show thit Mr. Pearce first became a 

 member in 1876, and his name appears upon the roll continu- 

 ously thereafter till, in recognition of his valuable services, he 

 was made an honorary life member in 1884. He was a member 

 of the executive committee in the years 1879, 1888, 1885 and 

 1886 and vice-president during 1839 and 1890, 



The years of his connection with the association were those 

 of continual and most loyal service. From the first he was a 

 "worker," always ready to bear a hand. I think his end was 

 not unexpected, as daring the past year he often spoke of its 

 nearness. 



Thus the pioneers of our society are passing off the stage. 

 We shall see them no more in flesh; but their works live after 

 them, and by them they shall ever be known. 



Secy. 



It is with profound sorrow that I have learned of the decease of 

 our friend and fellow member, M. Pearce. My acquaintance with 

 him covers a period of more than twenty years. I have al- 

 ways looked upon him a3 one of nature's noblemen, an earnest, 

 conscientious and honest man, and a friend who could always be 

 relied upon. His membership in the Minnesota State Horticultural 

 Society began in 1876, and from that time since he has proved him- 

 self one of our mostenthusiastic, active and useful members, taking 

 a deep interest in the welfare of the society and the development of 

 the fruit interest of this state. He was always found in his place at 

 all meetings and gatherings where horticultural matter was to be 

 discussed, ready and willing to work and impart information that 

 would lead to the successful growing of more and better fruit. In 

 the earlier days of the Farmer's Institute work he devoted much 

 time to giving instruction on the growing of fruits by farmers. He 

 had had an extensive experience in the propagation of trees, plant- 

 ing of orchards and the growing and marketing of small fruits- 

 We shall miss him and his willing work and encouraging words. 



John S. Harris. 



Michael Pearce, who was so fully identiBed with the horticultural 

 interests of Minnesota, was born in 1827, near Trenton, Ohio, some 

 twenty miles westerly from Cincinnati. His grandfather, Michael 

 Pearce, was a devoted patriot of the revolution, and as such served 

 in the Continental army. In the beginning of this century, he sold 

 his possessions at Morristown, New Jersey, and with his large family 



