The history of Mr. Pierce is a connecting link between the pioneer past and progressive present, for he is numbered among the native sons of Miami county, and for two-thirds of a century has been a witness of its development and improvement. He was born on a farm in Union township, April 17, 1834, and is a son of Samuel and Millie (Iddings) Pierce, the former born in Grayson county, Virginia, on the 10th of October, 1785, the latter in April, 1790. During his boyhood the father accompanied his parents to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1804, when he came to Miami county, Ohio, taking up his abode in Milton. He was familiar with the trades of wagon-making, carpentering and cabinet making, and conducted a cabinet shop at Milton at that early day. In 1810 he wedded Miss Millie Iddings and the same year erected the third house in Milton. It was a log cabin of two rooms, situated on Main street, and there stood until 1897, when it was torn down. In 1813 he purchased a farm which had been entered from the government by its former owner. The place comprised one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, Union township, and the purchase price was three dollars per acre. A log cabin had been built, but only one acre of the land had been cleared, the remainder being covered with heavy timber. With characteristic energy, however, Mr. Pierce began its further development and improvement, and continued the work of operating the farm until his death, which occurred in 1877. He was a member of the Society of Friends and very active in the work of the church. His early political support was given the Whig party, and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the Republican party, becoming one of its stalwart advocates. He served as trustee of his township, and for the term was county commissioner, proving a capable official. In every relation of life he was trustworthy and reliable, was fair in his dealings and enjoyed the respect of his fellow men. In his family were thirteen children, twelve of whom reached years of maturity and were married before his death. The record of his seven sons and six daughters is as follows: Ruth became the wife of Jesse Pemberton; Margaret married Moses Jay; Malinda became the wife of Noah Brooks; Gaynor A. and William were the next of the family; Almira married Martin Brooks; Mary was the next younger; Hannah married Henry Coate; Mary B. was the wife of Jonathan L. Boyd, and the others were John, Clarkson, Zenas and Benjamin. Those still living are Samuel, John and Zenas.

In taking up the personal history of Mr. Pierce of this review we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Miami County. He was reared on the old family homestead where his birth occurred and pursued his education in a log school-house, to which he walked four miles. His privileges in that direction, however, were rather meager and his knowledge has been largely acquired through reading, experience and observation. He started out upon an independent business career by renting the old home place, and for some time carried on agricultural pursuits, operating the home farm until 1883, when he removed to Bradford, Ohio, where he engaged in the hardware business for eight years. He then came to Pleasant Hill, where he has since made his home.

Mr. Pierce has been twice married. On the 9th of September 1854, he wedded Eliza McCormack, and they became the parents of seven children: Hannah, Clarkson, John, Samuel, Lewis, Zenas K. and Roland N. After the death of his first wife Mr. Pierce married her sister, Miss Hannah McCormack, their wedding being celebrated in 1881. They continued upon the farm until 1883, and for the past nine years they have been residents of Pleasant Hill, where they have many warm friends. For three years Mr. Pierce has served as justice of the peace, and for five years has been a member of the council of Pleasant Hill. He is very faithful in the discharge of his duties and is a local adherent of the Republican party. He belongs to the Friends church, of Newton township. He has lived an honorable, upright life, which is in many respects well worthy of emulation. He is entirely free from ostentation, and his sterling worth has gained him the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been associated.