William Pearce

Federal advisor for western development policy (1884–1904)

In 1883, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald appointed Pearce to chair a special Lands Board Investigation Commission to resolve the growing discontent in Prairie settlements.

"From 1898 to 1901 he was involved with the adjustment of railway land grants."

Chief Inspector of Surveys From 1901 to 1904, he was Chief Inspector of Surveys. The Act was passed on July 23, 1894, providing the "legal basis for all subsequent irrigation legislation and development in Canada." A their 1925 report of an early history of irrigation in southern Alberta, said that Dennis' praise of Pearce's lobbying for irrigation happened "more than thirty years ago, and Mr. Pearce is still preaching the same gospel. Truly this record entitles him to the distinction of being called the "Father of Irrigation in Alberta".

Published works

William Pearce authored these publications:

Detailed report upon all claims to land and right to participate in the North-West half-breed grant by settlers along the South Saskatchewan and vicinity west of range 26, W. 2nd meridian: Being the settlements commonly known as St. Louis de Langevin, St. Laurent or Batoche, and Duck Lake. Ottawa: Printed by MacLean, Roger & Co., 1886

The absurdity and injustice of single tax as carried out in the western provinces of Canada: Respectfully submitted to students of the subject of taxation. Calgary: Herald Western Printing Co., 1915

The proposed northwest Saskatchewan irrigation project and some reminiscences of irrigation in western Canada. Calgary: Western Canada Irrigation Association, 1919

Memorandum and sketch illustrating the possibility of diverting water from the N. Saskatchewan River for stock purposes on a large tract of land: Bounded on the north by the North Saskatchewan River & Battle River, on the east by the South Saskatchewan & Red Deer Rivers situated in the provinces of Alberta & Saskatchewan 1919

Personal life "William married Margaret A. Meyer, 1853-1943, in 1881.

"They had six children, Adolphine Elizabeth Frances, 1883-1975, Adolphine Thornton (Tassie), 1885-1970, Seabury Kains, 1887-1959, William Ernest, 1890-?, Harry John Leslie, 1894-1976, and John Eric, 1890-?. The family settled permanently in Calgary in 1887.

Both "William and his wife were instrumental in the establishment of the Calgary General Hospital in 1890."

He retired from the CPR in 1926.

Frank Pearce Estate In 1889, Pearce built the family mansion—Bow Bend Shack—which was located at 2014 - 17th Ave S.E. The mansion was demolished in 1957.

Honours

Pearce was designated as a Person of National Historic Significance in 1973 by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.