The professors at Arkansas Industrial Univeristy: Nicholas B. Pearce

Nicholas Bartlett Pearce
History of the University of Arkansas

Nicholas Bartlett Pearce (b. July 20, 1828; d. March 8, 1894 )

Kentucky.  White.
Education: United States Military Academy
Occupation: farmer, manufacturer, merchant

Nicholas B. was born in 1828 in Caldwell County, KY to Allon and Mary Pearce. Little is known about his parents. 

Nicholas attended Cumberland College, a now-defunct private college in Kentucky that was affiliated with the Presbyterian church. After gradating from the college, Nicholas matriculated to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from the academy in 1850.

After graduating, Nicholas was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 7th U.S. Infantry Regiment. He remained with the 7th Infantry for most of the 1850s. During this time, the regiment saw service in Arkansas and Indian Territory (modern Oklahoma).

In August 1858, while stationed in Arkansas, Nicholas resigned from the army. He moved to Osage Mills in Benton County and helped run his father-in-law's general store and mill. 

During the Civil War, Nicholas fought against the federal army. Nicholas had opposed the secession of Arkansas. However, shortly after the state seceded, he was elected as one of three commanders of the state military, reorganized as the "Army of Arkansas." Nicholas held the title of brigadier general and commanded the First Division of Arkansas Army. In July 1861, he led the army into Missouri and defeated federal forces at the Battle of Wilson's Creek. 

Despite the victory, Nicholas played only a limited role in the war after Wilson's Creek. In August of that year, officials tried to transfer the troops under Nicholas's command from the Arkansas state government to the Confederacy. Nicholas opposed the transfer, but this had limited impact. By the end of the year, essentially all Arkansas state troops had either been mustered out or transferred east to join the Confederate Army.

After his troops were transferred, Nicholas served in the Confederate Commissary Department. He was first stationed in Arkansas, but around April 1862, he was moved to Texas and continued working as a commissary. He would remain in Texas for the remainder of the war.

After the Civil War (in 1865), Nicholas received a pardon from President Johnson for having supported the rebellion. In 1867, he returned to Benton County, AR and worked to rebuild the businesses he'd run before the war.

In December 1872, Nicholas was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Engineering. He only remained in the position for two years, until around the end of Reconstruction. His professorship was given to O. C. Gray.

Nicholas left Arkansas Industrial Univeristy to return to Benton County. He served as the postmaster for Osage Mills during the late 1870s. 

During this time, Nicholas began involved in state politics. He was elected assistant secretary for the 1874 state Constitutional Convention. In 1876, he unsuccessfully ran as a Democratic candidate for Secretary of State.

In 1879, he moved to Kansas City, MO. He first worked as a commercial traveler for the firm of S. H. Benedict & Co. He later worked as an examiner for the Lombard Investment Company.

While living in Kansas City, Nicholas' wife began to experience ill health. She and Nicholas moved to Texas around 1884 in hope that the climate would improve her health. By 1891, Nicholas was living in Dallas and continuing to work for the Lombard Investment Company. 

Nicholas died in Dallas, TX in 1894. He is buried in Oak Wood Cemetery.

Undated photo of Nicholas B. Pearce
From Wikipedia

Sources

1. 1850; Census Place: Cornwall, Orange, New York; Roll: 573; Page: 171b

2. 1860; Census Place: Anderson, Benton, Arkansas; Page: 427; Family History Library Film: 803037

3. 1870; Census Place: Osage, Benton, Arkansas; Roll: M593_47; Page: 304B

4. 1880; Census Place: Anderson, Benton, Arkansas; Roll: 38; Page: 366A; Enumeration District: 010

5. Texas, U.S., Death Certificates. 

6. Reynolds, John Hugh and Thomas, David Yancey. History of the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville: Univeristy of Arkansas. (1910) pp. 507-508.

7. Dallas, Texas, City Directory, 1891

8. Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory, 1881, 1882, 1887.

9. The daily union, March 20, 1851, p. 3.

10. The daily union, July 28, 1855, p. 2.

11. "Resignation of an Army Officer" Evening star, March 26, 1858, p. 2.

12. "Regnant Populi." Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock,  AR). July 15, 1874. p.1 . 

13. "Meeting of the Constitution Makers." Fayetteville Weekly Democrat (Fayetteville, AR). July 18, 1874. p.1

14. "Personal." Fayetteville Weekly Democrat (Fayetteville, AR). December 25, 1875, 1874. p. 5.