Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-09
JUDGE JAMES A. PtARCE
VICTIM Of PNEUMONIA
Death: Today, of One of the Most
Distinguished Jurists on
Eastern Shore.
New York World
Special Dispatch 20 Every Evening


Chestertown. Md, Dec p.-Forner
Judge James Alfred Pearce died at his
home here. this morning. following an
attack of pneumonia, which developed
about week ago He was 80 years old.
The Judge had been quite III for the past
few days, but had rallied and was report
ed bv his physician 10 be very mitch inn
proved Yesterday. He had sinking spell
iaat night from which he failed To rnlly,
and death followed this morning
Deceased was one Of the most prominent
iurists in the state Born in this town, on
April 2, 1910, tho aon Of Hon. James
Alfred pesrce, Sr., himesif distinguished
citizen. the son began his education In
Chestcrtown. After attending Washing
ton College for time he entered Pripee
TON University. from which he graduated
in 1850, Returning 20 Chest~rtown he
read law in the office Of his father, at the
same time teaching in Washington ool-
leee. On the death of his father he went To
Baltimore and entered the law Office OF
Brown 4 Bruno. He was admitted to the
bar in 1864 and from the trst became
successful practitioner In 1857 ne WAS
elected States Attorney for Kent county,
serving for two terms until 1879. In 1870
he was a candidate for State Senator, but
was defeated in the Republican landslide
of that year. In 1897 he was elected chief
nudge of the Second Judicial Circuit, COM
prizng the counties Of Cecil, kcnt, queen
Anne Caroline and Talbot, which cleo
tion carried with IL a seat on the Court
Appeals bench of Maryland. Judge Pearce
held this position until his retirement,
few wears ago. by reason of the age limit.
Judge Pearce was for years identified with
the professional, political and religious
Life OF the entire state.
He wae a member of the Board of
School Commissioners for ten consecutive
wears. WAS president of the Third National
Bank Of this town until three years ago,
president Of the Board of Visitors and
Governors of Washington College for
many wears. He was q vestryman of
Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal Church
since 1868. and until few months ago
was chancellor of the Diocese OF Easton.
In 1866 Judge Pearce married Eunioe,
eldest daughter of Unit Rasin, who for
wears was a prominent merchant OF 81.
Louis. She survives, but there are no
children. Judge Pearce WAS one of the
most public-spirited men in this COM
munity. Several years ago he purchased
for the town a fine drinking fountain,
which stands at the end OF the public
square In the centre of the town, and only
recently he gave . monument OF fine
granite in memory of the soldiers and
ssilors who died in the Revolutionary
war. This monument stands IN the centre
of the square opposite the Court House
ward. and may be considered fitting
memorial of the istinglished iurist.
lie also had life-size photographs Of his
associates of the bench as well as other
distinguished judges who sat upon the
bench when be was prsoticing lawyer,
made and placed on the wall Of the court
room. and in various other ways his
public spirit is manifested In the town and
community Arrangements had not been
made for the funeral this morning.