Dr. William M. Pearce Collection, 1924-1955, 1924-1955

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Summary

Title:
Dr. William M. Pearce Collection, 1924-1955
Dates:
1924-1955
Creators:
Pearce, William Madden, 1888-1962
Abstract:
Extent:
1.28 linear feet
Language:
Preferred citation:

Dr. William M. Pearce Collection, 1924-1955. Wilmington Historical Society

Background

Scope and content:

The Dr. William M. Pearce Collection documents the professional life of a practicing physician in Wilmington, California between 1924 and 1955. The collection primarily consists of ledgers and appointment books detailing Pearce’s daily activities. In general, ledgers record names of patients, medical services rendered, charges, and monies received on account. Some ledgers may include treatment notes detailing whether treatment occurred at the medical office, hospital, or the patient’s residence. Also documented are costs associated with the medical practice, including office rent, medical and office supplies, utilities, and insurance payments. The collection includes a small amount of material related to personal finances, including: property tax receipts, bank deposit and withdrawal records, stock trading records, oil and gas lease documents, and legal correspondence. The collection is arranged chronologically.

Biographical / historical:

William Madden Pearce was born on November 1, 1888, in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, to parents William A. and Mary A. Pearce (née Pinder). He studied medicine at Memphis Medical College, which later became part of the University of Tennessee Medical School. Following graduation, Pearce moved to Manhattan, Gallatin County, Montana to begin his medical practice. He married Alma Victoria Mc Daniels on June 13, 1909, at Bozeman, Montana. In 1911, the couple had a daughter, Victoria Elizabeth. The family moved to Wilmington, California in 1923. Dr. Pearce established a medical practice specializing in the care of women and children at 127 W. Anaheim Street in Wilmington. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Pearce was on staff at a number of Los Angeles Harbor area hospitals, including Seaside Hospital, Community Hospital, and St. Mary's Hospital. During World War II, Dr. Pearce served as an examining physician for Wilmington's local selective service draft program. In his spare time, he was known to be an avid skeet shooter and gun enthusiast and enjoyed raising racing pigeons. Pearce retired from medicine in 1955 and passed away on November 27, 1962. Dr. William Pearce is buried at Inglewood Memorial Park in Inglewood, California.

Acquisition information:
The source and date of acquisition is unknown.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Wilmington Historical Society staff.
Date Prepared:
1924-1955
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator of this collection has not been transferred to the Wilmington Historical Society. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

Dr. William M. Pearce Collection, 1924-1955. Wilmington Historical Society

Location of this collection:
309 W. Opp St.
Wilmington, CA 90744, US