Thomas Pearce
Inducted In
1972
Thomas Pearce was closely identified with education in Waterloo County and was the first chairman of the Berlin Free Library Board. Born in Shillelagh, County Wicklow, Ireland, he attended private school and assisted his father in the management of the family farm. At twenty-three years of age he visited relatives in Canada, decided to stay and attended Toronto Normal School. He later taught at Central School, later named “Suddaby,” as first assistant.
In 1864 he was appointed principal of the school and in 1871 School Inspector for the County of Waterloo, serving until 1912.