In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1895) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1829
From Portrait and biographical record of Winona County, Minnesota; containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1895), Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominenet ... citizens .. (1894)
THOMAS ADAMS PEIRCE, M.D.,a homeopathic physician, successfully engaged in practice in Winona, was born in Bath, Me., December 20, 1829, and is a son of Thomas A. and Arabella (Sloane) Peirce, also natives of the Pine Tree State, the former born in 1800, and the latter in 1804. The paternal grandfather, Daniel Peirce, was also a native of Maine, and of English descent. He made farming his life occupation, had a family of four children, and died at the age of seventy years. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Sloane, was born in Massachusetts and was a ship-builder. He belonged to the Congregational Church, and died in Maine at the age of eighty-two. The Doctor's father was a sea captain, and died in Darien, Ga., in 1830. His wife survived him until 1891, passing away at the age of eighty-seven.
He was a member of the Methodist Church, while she belonged to the Presbyterian Church. In their family were three children, but Samuel and Arabella are now deceased.
The Doctor was reared in his native city, and acquired his literary education in Litchfield Academy, of Litchfield, Me. In his seventeenth year he took up the study of medicine and surgery, and afterwards entered the Pennsylvania Medical College of Philadelphia, there pursuing his studies from 1846 until 1850. He was graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College in 1850, and the same year began practicing in Norristown, Pa., where he remained until the fall of 1854, when he removed to WilkesBarre, Pa., where he continued the prosecution of his profession until 1858. In that year he emigrated westward, and after a short time passed in Waukegan, Ill., removed to Galena, where he remained until 1863. Since that time he has made Winona his home, and in the thirty years which have passed has built up a large and lucrative practice.
On the 16th of April, 1851, Dr. Peirce was united in marriage with Miss Anna B. Bean, daughter of John and Angeline (Schracls) Bean, of Norristown, Pa. Four children were born of this union, two yet living. John, a bookkeeper of Wabasha, was married to Dora Black, and they have three children; Harry, who is County Clerk of Whatcom, Wash., married Emma Ten Eych, and has two daughters. The mother of this family died in Waukegan, Ill., in 1859. On the 4th of January, 1863, Dr. Peirce married Miss Miranda
Weigley, daughter of Wellington and Mary (Cummer) Weigiey, of Galena, Ill. They have five children: Mary, wife of Ashley P. Hunter, of Norristown, Pa., by whom she has two children, Morgan and Peirce; Annie; Warren; Emma, wife of Dr. Carl V. Visher, of Philadelphia; and Arabella.
Dr. Peirce is a Master Mason, and his wife belongs to the Congregational Church. He was a member of the School Board of Winona for Sve years, and served as its President for three years. He is a warm friend of the cause of education, and does much to advance the interests and promote the welfare of the city. His skill and ability as a practitioner are widely known and receive recognition in a large business.
J. F. Qay.
Jr. GAY, the efficient and well known Sheriff of Winona Count is recognized as a valued citizen, and has the high regard of many friends. The record of his life is as follows: He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., June 8, 1845, and is one of a family of seven living children, whose parents were William and Martha (Spear) Gay. The paternal grandparents were Peter and Elizabeth Gay. The former was of Welsh descent, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years, while his wife, who was of German lineage, reached the age of eighty-eight. The father of Sheriff Gay was also a native of the Keystone State, his birth having occurred in 1815. He followed farming as his life occupation, and was successful in his undertakings. His death occurred in 1867, at the age of fifty-two years, and his loss was deeply mourned, for he was one of the public-spirited citizens of Westmoreland County, and was always deeply interested in the progress and welfare of the community in which he lived. J. F. Gay spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm. No event of special importance occurred during that period. During the winter months he attended the public schools, but with the opening up of spring he began work in the fields, where he labored from the time when the land was first plowed until the crops were harvested in late autumn. On attaining his majority he started out in life for himself, and thinking that the West furnished better advantages, he turned his face toward the setting sun. His first location was in Ohio, where he lived until 1889, during which time he engaged in merchandising.
In that year he came to Winona, and has since been one of its popular and valued citizens.
Mr. Gay was married in September, 1870, in the Buckeye State, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary A. Nevins, of Frederickstown, Ohio, daughter of Aaron and Sarah (Beaver) Nevins. Their family numbered eight children, and the parents were both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Gay have one daughter, Mabel. They are people of sterling worth, and though their residence in Winona County is of comparatively short duration, they have many friends.
In his political views, Mr. Gay is a pronounced Democrat, and one of the active workers in his party, the principles of which he warmly advocates. In 1876 he was nominated and elected Sheriff of Knox County, Ohio, for two years, and on the expiration of his term was re-elected, running far ahead of his ticket, a fact which indicated iiis personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him. In October, 1892, he was chosen as the Democratic nominee for County Sheriff of Winona County entirely unsolicited by him. In the race he came out conqueror, and is now serving in that office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is fearless and true in the discharge of his duties, and has the confidence of even his political opponents. Mr. Gay is a Mason, belonging to Mt. Zion Lodge of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and to Cceur de Leon Commandery, Winona, Minn. He also holds membership with the Order of Druids, with the Equitable Aid Union and the Knights of Pythias. He is of a pleasant and genial disposition, true to himself and friends, and in the history of his adopted county well deserves representation.
Peter Harman Williams.
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
THOMAS ADAMS PEIRCE, M.D.,a homeopathic physician, successfully engaged in practice in Winona, was born in Batli,Me., December 20, 1829, and is a son of Thomas A. and Arabella (Sloane) Peirce, also natives of the Pine Tree State, the former born in 1800, and the latter in 1804. The paternal grandfather, Daniel Peirce, was also a native of Maine, and of English descent. He made farming his life occupation, had a family of four children, and died at the age of seventy years. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Sloane, was born in Massachusetts and was a ship-builder. He belonged to the Congregational Church, and died in Maine at the age of eighty-two. The Doctor's father was a sea captain, and died in Darien, Ga., in 1830. His wife survived him until 1891, passing away at the age of eighty-seven.
He was a member of the Methodist Church, while she belonged to the Presbyterian Church. In their family were three children, but Samuel and Arabella are now deceased.
The Doctor was reared in his native city, and acquired his literary education in Litchfield Academy, of Litchfield, Me. In his seventeenth year he took up the study of medicine and surgery, and afterwards entered the Pennsylvania Medical College of Philadelphia, there pursuing his studies from 1846 until 1850. He was graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College in 1850, and the same year began practicing in Norristown, Pa., where he remained until the fall of 1854, when he removed to WilkesBarre, Pa., where he continued the prosecution of his profession until 1858. In that year he emigrated westward, and after a short who is living in Whitewater, Wis.; Edward F., of Hampton, Franklin County, Iowa; and Peter H., of this sketch.
The last-named spent the days of his boyhood under the parental roof, and in his early life carried on both merchandising and farming in New York. He there continued to make his home until after he had attained his majority. He was a child of six j'ears when the family removed to Cayuga County, settling near Oswego, N. Y. The year 1852 witnessed his arrival in Wisconsin, he being the first of the family to* become a resident of that state. He afterwards returned to New York, where he remained until the fall of 18,55, when, with his father and mother, he again went to Wisconsin, his parents making a permanent location there.
P. H. Williams carried on various lines of business until 1863, when he came to Minnesota, locating in Saratoga Township, Winona County seven miles south of St. Charles, there becoming owner of the farm which he yet owns. For two j-ears he carried on a hotel at Troy, on the old stage road, but when the railroad was built his business was destroyed. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, operating his farm with excellent success from 1866 until September, 1885, when he came to St. Charles. His farm comprised one hundred and sixty acres, but he added to this from time to time, and at length his landed possessions comprised ten hundred and sixty acres, which were divided into three farms of three hundred and twcnly, three hundred and sixty and three hundred and eighty acres, respectively All are devoted to the raising of grain and are well watered. Mr. Williams engaged in the cultivation of wheat crops, and thereby accumulated a handsome competency. He is now engaged in the real-estate business, handling town property.
At Ft. Atkinson, on the lath of September, 1858, Mr. Williams married Miss Maggie Byron, who was born August 25, 1837, in Cazenovia, Chenango County, N. Y., and is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Clark) Byron. Her father died when she was quite young, and when she was ten years of age her mother removed with the family to Twin Rivers, Wis. From the age of fifteen until her marriage she resided in West Troy and in Jefferson, Wis. Her mother, who reared a family\- of eight children, died in Scott County Minn., September 1, 1868. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born the following children: Flora, who was formerly- a successful teacher of Winona County, and is now the wife of P. F. Haj-nes, a real-estate dealer of Chicago; Annie, the wife of George D. French, of St. Charles; Mary, the wife of Henry Cox, of the Nicollet Hotel, of St. Charles; Nettie, at home; Charlie A., who was graduated from the Wisconsin University at Madison, and is now an attorney-at-law of Chicago; John R., who was graduated from the Illinois University of Chicago, and is now Clerk of the Court under Judge Brentano, of Chicago; Bertie, who died in his sixth year; Elmer, who died at the age of two years; and Johnnie, who died in infancy.
Mr. Williams votes with the Democratic party. He served as Alderman for four years, and on three different occasions has served as Mayor of St. Charles, in which offices he was found true to his duties. His wife belongs to the Episcopal Church. Mr. Williams has lead a busy and useful life and his success has come to him as the reward of earnest labor and good management. He is recognized as one of the most progressive and prominent citizens of St. Charles, and in the history of his adopted county well deserves representation.
Nathaniel Cavis Qault.
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona County, Minnesota; containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1895). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Their biographies name Thomas Adams Peirce: John R. Gile (b. 1829)
The printed record stops around 1895. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.