Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

in Central New York. His education was
supplied by the Academy at Oxford and
the State Normal School at Cortland,
New York, from which he graduated in
June, 1870, and immediately thereafter
entered the Wesleyan University at Middletown,
Connecticut, from which he was
graduated with the degree of A. B. in
1874. Immediately, he began the study
of law in the office of Hon. Samuel L.
Warner, of Middletown, and in 1879 was
admitted to the bar. He opened an office
in the Bank building in Middletown and
engaged in the practice of law. In April,
1879, he was made clerk of the Middletown
City Court, in which office he con-
tinued until April, 1895, when he was ap-
pointed judge of that court and filled this
position with conspicuous ability to the
time of his death, which occurred very
suddenly. He went about the perform-
ance of his usual duties and retired in
apparent good health, but died before
morning. Judge Pearne was very active
in many affairs in Middletown, being a
member of the Common Council from
1880 to 1883, and in 1901 represented the
town in the General Assembly, acting as
house chairman of the Committee on Cor-
porations. In 1905, he was again Repre-
sentative and was house chairman of the
Committee on Railroads. In 1880, he was
elected a member of the Board of Educa-
tion of the Middletown City School Dis-
trict, and with the exception of four years,
from 1882 to 1886, continued in that body
until 1907, and during the entire period
was secretary of the board. In 1893 until
his death, he was county health officer,
and for thirty-one years was organist of
the First Congregational Church of Middletown.
His religious views were very
liberal, and he was much devoted to mu-
sic. On January 12, 1875, ne enlisted as
a private in Company H, Second Regiment,
Connecticut National Guard, and
gave twenty-three years of service in the
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
248
militia, rising through the various grades,
being commissioned first lieutenant in
1882, captain in 1885, and resigned in
1898, being at that time the senior captain
of his regiment. Judge Pearne was
a member of the Connecticut State Bar
Association, and was very active in the
Masonic fraternity, in which he attained
the thirty-second degree. He was a di-
rector and secretary of the Masonic Build-
ing Association, was affiliated with St.
John's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons,
of Middletown, of which he became a past
master, and on the occasion of the celebration
of the One Hundred Fiftieth An-
niversary of the foundation of the lodge,
was selected to give the historical address.
He was high priest of Washington Chapter,
No. 6, Royal Arch Masons, of Mid-
dletown, and in 1900 was grand high
priest of the State Chapter. He served as
thrice illustrious master of Columbia
Council, No. 6, Royal and Select Masters
was commander of Cyrene Commandery,
No. 8, Knights Templar; and in 1910 became
grand commander of the State. He
was a member of the college fraternity,
Delta Kappa Epsilon ; was a member of
the Society of Sons of the American Rev-
olution, and was trustee and secretary of
the Kent Literary Club. The multitude
of positions of trust and honor which he
filled came to him unsolicited as a tribute
to his zeal and ability. He was singularly
useful as a citizen, winning distinction in
many different fields of activity.
Judge Pearne married, April 25, 1883,
Harriette Cornelia Arnold, who was born
April 30, 1853, daughter of Charles G. and
Betsy (Smith) Arnold, of Middletown, a
descendant of many old Connecticut families.
She is a member of Wadsworth
Chapter, Daughters of the American Rev-
olution, of Middletown. The only child
of this marriage, Dorothea Arnold Pearne,
was born May 16, 1887, and died Novem-
ber 14, 1898.
;