DEATH IN 91ST YEAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22318, 16 January 1936, Page 12

DEATH IN 91ST YEAR

311?. GEORGE TEAKCE LONG-LIVED FAMILY AN INTERESTING RECORD The death occurred at Moiint Eden yesterday of Mr. George Pearce, a well-known resident who had reached his 91st year. He came of an unusually long-lived family, his father having lived to the age of 1)2 and his mother to the age of 94. * .Air. Peareo was one of a family of 12, of whom, seven now survive. They are Mrs. H. Osborne, of Rhode Island, United States, 93 years old; Mr. Pearce, 91; Mrs. D. Thorpe, Rhode island, 90; Mr. L. Pearce, Trentham, 88; Mrs. 1!. Hey wood, London, England, 83; Mrs. S. Walton, Wiltshire, England, 80; Mrs. E. Bohvell, Burn-ham-on-Soa, England, 76; Mrs. A. Pouting, Trentham, 74. Born on March 23, 1815, at Hilperton .Marsh, Wiltshire, Mr. Pearce was first married at Cardiff on May 4, 1872. Shortly afterward lie came to New Zealand in the ship Mataura, arriving in 1875, and established a coaching business in Waitara, Taranaki. He remained in that town for 38 years, and occupied a number of public positions during his residence there. He was chairman of the town board for 13 years, chairman of the school committee for six years, and chairman of the harbour board. In addition, Mr. Pearce held office in the Masonic and Oddfellows' Lodges, and was a generous and loyal supporter of the Methodist Church. He was a justice of the peace for over 30 years. Mr. Pearce's first wife died in 1921, and he married Mrs. Emily Willis, who died last September. Mr. Pearce is survived by four sons and three daughters. There are 19 grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren.