The Pierce Families of Randolph County, Indiana

URIAH PIERCE (deceased) was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 21, 1818, and is a son of Burket Pierce, who came to this county in 1819, and is still living at the age of ninety years. The country was wild, and there were no educational advantages except to study by his father's fire side. He was married, in 1840, to Miss Martha A. Mock, a native of Greene County, Ohio, and daughter of Daniel Mock, who came to this county in 1824. They had six children, of whom three are living, viz.: Thomas N., John Q.' and Daniel M. Thomas and John were soldiers in the late war. Mr, Pierce taught the first public school in his district, No. 3, Township 21; and organized the first Sabbath school in the neighborhooil. He was a worthy member of the M. E. Church, a benevolent man, and a valuable member of society. He died March 11, 1878, loved by aU.

ELWOOD O. PIERCE, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Ridgeville, was born in Randolph County August 27, 1866, and is a son of Joel Pierce (deceased). He was left an orphan, and his grandfather, Burket Pierce, raised him until fourteen years of age. He was educated at Ridgeville College; was married, October 2, 1876, to Miss Edith E. Thompson, by whom he has had two children, one living, viz.: Laura Alice. Mr. Pierce is engaged raising stock on Section 7, and owns ninety-four acres of valuable land.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES W. PIERCE.

The chief characteristics of Charles W. Pierce, one of the best-known business men of Union City, Randolph county, are keenness of perception, an unflagging energy, honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance-his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the locality. He worked his way from a modest beginning, having started on his career, "a youth to fortune and to fame unknown," and step by step has risen to a position of no mean importance, by his individual efforts, which have been practically unaided, which fact renders him the more worthy of the praise that is freely accorded him by his fellow-men, his life having been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the honorable and systematic methods he has ever employed are commended to others,, if they court the goddess. Success.

Mr. Pierce was born in New York City January 12, 1835. He is a son of Levi Pierce and wife, and a descendant of Capt. Michael Pierce, who emigrated to America about the year 1645, locating in Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1656, removing the following year to Scituate, where he lived until he met an untimely death, in 1662. He was born in England in 1615, was twice married, his last wife being Mrs. Anna James, of Hingham, later of Scituate. She was killed by the Indians Sunday, March 26, 1676. The following Avere the Captain's children: Persis, Benjamin, John, Ephraim, Eliza, Deborah, Anna, Abijah, Ruth and Abigail. The present Pierce family, so numerous throughout the United States, is directly descended from the above-named children.

Levi Pierce, father of our subject, was born in Rehoboth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, and was brought up on his father's farm. When nineteen years of age he became dissatisfied with farm life and started for the city of Providence, Rhode Island, much against the wishes of his father. There he soon mastered the trade of a mason and in a short time became a contractor and builder, erecting the first factory near Providence. Later he engaged in the livery business; selling that out, he next started in the manufacture of clothing", which grew to large proportions, and he became a wealthy man, and owned two schooners which he loaded with clothing and shipped to the South. Soon afterwards he went west, taking with him his son, Franklin F. During their absence the family moved to Bufifalo, New York, making the trip on a canal boat. Soon after the family had settled in their new home, news came to them, in the year 1838, that the father was dead. As Franklin F. never returned it was supposed that he, too, was dead. Mr. Pierce was a man of fine personal appearance, kind-hearted and generous, fond of his family and was an excellent provided, and he gave his children every advantage possible. He was born June 8, 1797. On March 9, 1818, he married Betsey S. Wheeler, who was born in 1800, and died February 23, 1881. His death is supposed to have occurred in, 1838. The following children were born to them: Charles W., of this sketch; Levi L., born November 18, 1830, married Ellen E. Wright-; Elizabeth S., born March 22, 1822, married in Buffalo, New York, December 16, 1840, to Cortland Philip Livingston Butler, who was born March 8, 1813. Levi Pierce was a son of Isaac Pierce, born September 12, 1763, who married on October 7, 1782, Anna Fitch, a daughter of Capt. Amos Fitch, of Swansea, who was born March 1, 1763, and died November 15, 1809, and is buried in the Pierce cemetery in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. He was married a second time, November 1, 1810, by Elder Preserve Pierce, to Polly Brown, who was born August 21, 1789, and who died March 10, 1838. His third wife was Elizabeth Carpenter. Isaac Pierce resided at Rehoboth, Massachusetts, where his death occurred November 26, 1849. The following were his children: Hannah Hiram W., Lyman, Nancy, Isaac, Mahala, Angia, Levi, Mary A. Waterman, Betsey, Poly, Jeremiah B., Delana, Laura A., Sophronia, Cyrus and Holiness, eighteen in all.

Isaac Pierce, son of Nathan Pierce, was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, in 1763, and always resided in that town and within four miles of the place of his birth. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war for a short time, when but sixteen years of age, at the time the British were in Newport. After his marriage he lived a short'-time with his grandfather, Michael Pierce, at the end of a year returning to his father's farm, where he passed the remainder of his days. He reared a large family in comfort, being a man of industry, and kept out of debt. When he was a boy there was not a vehicle in the town of Rehoboth — everybody rode on horseback. There were a few heavy, clumsy ox-carts, built after the English pattern. He often went to church with an ox-team and wagon. He was a man of good sound sense and judgment. When eighteen years of age he joined his father's church, but at the age of twenty-five he was excommunicated from the society, because he went twice to hear a Universalist preacher.

Rev. Nathan Pierce was a son of Michael Pierce, born February 21, 1 71 6, married on October 6, 1736, Lydia Martin, who was born July 17, 1718, and she died December 21, 1798. She was a daughter of Ephraim Alartin and was a remarkably smart woman. His death occurred April 14, 1793. She was from Barrington, Rhode Island, was noted for her learning and personal attractiveness, and she gave her husband much assistance in his work as a Baptist minister, he having preached for forty years in one church. He was succeeded by his son, Rev. Preserve Pierce, who also preached in the same pulpit for a period of forty years, a remarkable record for father and son, which, perhaps, is not paralleled throughout the country. The church is still known as the Pierce meeting-house. The following children were born to Nathan Pierce and wife: Freelove, Nathan, Jr., Benjamin, Pardon, Mary, Martin, Judah, Hezekiah, Peleg, Preserve, Isaac, Chloe, Lydia, David and Joseph. Michael Pierce, mentioned above, was born April 24, 1692, married Judith Ellis, a daughter of Judge Ellis, and she was born in 1686, died October 6, 1744. His death occurred October 18, 1786, at the age of ninety-four years. He resided at Warwick, Rhode Island;" Swansea and Rehoboth, Massachusetts. His children were Ephraim, Wheeler, Nathan, Mary, Judith, Michael, Job, Caleb and Joshua. Michael Pierce was a son of Ephraim, the third, who was born in 1674, married Mary Law, and they lived at Rehoboth and Swansea, Massachusetts. Their children were Michael, David, Elizabeth, Mary, Clothier and Ephraim.

Ephraim Pierce, Jr., was the son of Ephraim, St., who married Hannah Holbrook. He moved to Warwick, Rhode Island, from Weymouth, Massachusetts, where his first child was born, and according to the town records was called Isricum. On May 3, 1681, he was made a freeman of the colony from Providence. His will was dated July 18, 1718, and was proved in Warwick, September 2,, 1719. His death occurred September 14, 1719, and his wife died the same year. Ephraim Pierce, the first, was a son of Capt. Michael Pierce, mentioned at the outset of this article.

Charles W. Pierce, the immediate subject of this sketch, received a practical education in the public schools, and when a boy he started out in the business world. He came to Union City, Indiana, in 1865 and bought a farm and soon had a good foothold. In 1875 he began in the grain and elevator business at Union City, which is still operated, having attained very large 'proportions, gradually growing from a small beginning. The company was first incorporated in 1899, and again in 1905. Today the Pierce Elevator Company is one of the best known in northern Indiana. Mr. Pierce is also owner of one thousand acres of valuable and productive farming land, all in the vicinity of Union City, the farthest being only seven miles away. He manager all these farms himself, visiting them several times each week. He owns one-third interest in the Pierce Elevator Company. He deserves a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished, starting with nothing and is now one of the substantial and influential citizens of Randolph county.

Charles W. Pierce is independent in politics, and he has been a member of the INIethodist Episcopal church for a period of fifty years. He was married, first, to Emma Haddock, whose death occurred March 12, 1874. To this union the following children were born: Mary C, who married William R. Craven, of Dayton, Ohio, he being vice-president and general manager of the Dayton Savings and Trust Company, where an extensive business is carried on and more than fifteen clerks are employed. Mrs. Craven received her education in the common schools and in DePauw University. They have one child, Dorothy Craven, now about seventeen years of age. Clarence Stewart Pierce was born in Randolph county, December 9, 1870, married Bertha Prior in March, 1894. She is a step-daughter of Charles Prior. She finished her education in the college at Oxford, Ohio. Their children are Charles Stewart Pierce, Jr., born February 6, 1895, was graduated from the high school and passed his first year at Ann Arbor, in the

University of Michigan. Alary Almeda Pierce was born July 18, 1897, is now in high school.

Clarence S. Pierce was elected mayor of Union City in 1898 and was elected to the legislature of Indiana from Randolph county, in 1912, serving in the session of 1913 where he made his influence felt for the general good c-f his locality and the entire state and won the hearty approval of hi constituents, proving himself to be a faithful and conscientious and able public servant. He was appointed a member of the school board in Union City in 1910 and elected a member of the same in 1913 for a term of three years. He has done much for the improvement of local schools. He is a graduate of the high school of Union City, later studying at DePauw University. He has held business connection with his father since 1890 and is now the able and energetic president of the Pierce Elevator Company, which includes two branch elevators in other localities, all doing a large and growing business.

Frank Wright Pierce resides in the East. This son was legally adopted by Levi L. Pierce, a brother of Charles W. Pierce, when an infant.

The second wife of Charles AA Pierce was Anna J. Fisher, who was born near Richmond, Indiana, in 1837. [Mr.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CLARENCE S. PIERCE.

The biographies of the representative men of a county bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to arouse the pride of their family and of the community, and it is a source of regret that people are not more familiar with the personal history of such men in the ranks of whom may be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, teachers, professional and business men of various lines. Clarence S. Pierce is one of the creditable representative business men of Union City, Randolph county and as such has made his influence felt in this locality and earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor.

Mr. Pierce who is engaged in the grain business, was born in Wayne township, Randolph county, December 9, 1870. He is a son of Charles W. and Emma (Haddock) Pierce. The father was born in the state of New York, January 12, 1835. He received a limited education, and when a young man came to Randolph county, and engaged in farming, also followed other pursuits. About thirty years ago he went into the grain business in Union City and this has since claimed his attention, the Pierce Elevator Company which he established and built up being one of the best known of its kind in this section of the state, and for many years its operations have covered a wide territory. The company deals in grains, seeds, hay, fertilizer and coal. Although now advanced in years the elder Pierce is still successfully attending to business and is hale and hearty as a result of careful living and right thinking. He has been influential in the affairs of the community and has always been highly esteemed for his industry, public-spiritedness and honesty. Plis wife, who was a native of Columbus, Ohio, died in 1873. To these parents eight children were born, but only these three survive: Mary C, Frank W. and Clarence S., of this sketch.

Clarence S. Pierce grew up in his native community, and he received a common school education, graduating from the high school at Union City in 1887, soon afterward entering DePauw University in which he spent two years, then returned to Union City, later taking a commercial course m Dayton, Ohio. Thus exceptionally well equipped for life's serious duties, he entered the business world with his father in the elevator at Union City and has remained with the same ever since, its rapidly increasing success and prestige being due in no small measure to his industry and sound counsel. The Pierce Elevator Company is a corporation, with a capital stock of eighty thousand dollars, and is well equipped in every respect to render prompt and high grade service and a very large annual business is carried on. Clarence S. Pierce is president of the company; C. C. Fisher is vice-president; C. L. Northlane is secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Pierce was married March 27, 1894 to Bertha Smith, who was born in Union City, Ohio, October 27, 1873. Mrs. Pierce received an excellent education in Oxford, Ohio, in the public schools and college. She is a lady of many estimable characteristics and is popular with the best circles wherever she is known.

Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, namely: Charles Stuart, born February 6. 1895, is at this writing a student in the University of Michigan; Mary Alameda, born July 27, 1897, is attending high school.

Politically, Mr. Pierce has followed the example of his father and supports the Democratic party in which he is active and influential. In 1898 he was elected mayor of Union City, serving until 1902 in a very faithful and creditable manner, doing much for the general upbuilding of the town. In the campaign of 191 2 he made the race for representative to the state legislature and was duly elected. He has made his influence felt among his colleagues for the good of his county and won the hearty commendation of his constituents. He served for a period of four years on the Union City school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, Modem Woodmen of America, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is a trustee in the local congregation.

Broad-minded, progressive in his ideas, a thinker and close observer, Mr. Pierce keeps fully abreast of the times and in touch with current thought and discharges the duties of citizenship in a manner becoming an enterprising American of honorable impulses. He stands high in the esteem of those with whom he mingles, makes and retains friends easily, and is a genial, courteous, straightforward and companionable gentleman whom it is a pleasure to know.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES F. PIERCE.

Perhaps no man in Randolph county has the artistic temperament to a more marked degree than Charles F. Pierce, a photographer of Winchester whose fame has gone throughout the country. Although Nature, of course, implanted the esthetic attribute in him, yet it had to be cultivated, developed, and Mr. Pierce has worked most assiduously and ardently in order to advance himself along his chosen field of endeavor, and, judging from his past praiseworthy attainments it is proper to predict for him still greater things in the future.

Mr. Pierce was born March 14, 1863, on a farm three miles east of Winchester. He is a son of Joab W. and Elizabeth (Summers) Pierce, one of our excellent pioneer families, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Suffice it to add here that the Pierces have always been known as public-spirited, high-minded and exemplary citizens.

Charles F. Pierce was reared on the farm and there did the usual chores assigned to farm boys, until he was about seventeen years of age. He received his primary education in the country district schools. In the year 1881 he went with his parents to Florida where he remained four and one-half years, returning to Winchester, Indiana, in 1886, and worked on a farm and at various occupations. In the fall of 1886 he began the study of photography with E. R. Hiatt, of Winchester, and, having a natural aptitude in this line, he made rapid progress, and was prepared to open a studio of his own, which he did at Saratoga, this county, and met with success from the first.

On December 3, 1887 Mr. Pierce married Mrs. Dora Almonrode, a daughter of Josiah and Margaret (Cox) Almonrode, of Saratoga, where her family was highly respected and where Mrs. Pierce grew to womanhood and was educated. The union of our subject and wife resulted in the birth of two children; Benjamin Harrison, of Winchester, and Goldie, now the wife of Chauncey Waters, of Farmland.

In January. 1888, Mr. Pierce, seeking a wider field for the exercise of his talents, removed to Winchester and opened a studio. His reputation as a fine photographer had preceded him and he soon built up a large and ever-grow'ng business, and here he has remained to the present time, with the exception of several winters spent in Florida, where he did special photographic work. He has one of the neatest and most up-to-date studios in the state and is a very busy man. He has kept fully abreast of modern photographic art and is quick to adopt new designs in his work. He is regarded by all who are familiar with his work as an artist of very pronounced ability and has a wide reputation. He has done special work for "Collier's Weekly" and other leading magazines of the East.

Politically, Mr. Pierce was formerly a Republican, but since the organization of the Progressive party has allied himself with it. He is a member of the State Photographers Association and the National Photographers Association. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights-of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Owls.

Mr. Pierce keeps a supply of cameras and art supplies of all kinds and also maintains a picture framing department. His studio is located at 209 South Main street. Here his many customers, some of whom come from remote towns, always receive prompt and courteous treatment.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.