Pearce was born in
Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire, England, in 1826. He arrived in South Australia in August 1849 and went to work with his brother William Pearce (c. 1815 – 19 November 1878), who had a business at the
Beehive Corner, then went to
Burra. He later ran a timber and hardware business, Pearce Wincey, & Co., in Kapunda for 36 years, was involved with administration of Kapunda Hospital, Dutton Park, and the town council, serving 1867–1868 as its second mayor. He retired to Kenilworth Avenue, Norwood around 1887. ==Politics==