Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 08.djvu/347

 PIERCE

PIERCE

concur, and the 34th congress adjourned, Aug. 18, 1836. President Pierce at once issued a pro- clamation convening congress in extra session. It met, Aug. 21, 1856, the bill was passed without the proviso, and congress adjourned, Aug. 30, 1856. In his message to congi-ess, Dec. 1, 1856, the Pre- sident laid before tliat body the condition of affairs in Kansas as viewed from what he con- sidered a constitutional standpoint, and criti- cised the free-state party for alleged revolu- tionary methods to secure the success of their measures. On March 4, 1857, he welcomed James Buchanan, his successor, to the White House, and after attending the inauguration ceremonies he returned to Concord, and resumed the practice of his profession. He visited Madeira, the British Isles, and the continent of Europe, 1857- 60, and returned home early in 1860. He took no active part in the political canvass of that year. He deplored the revolutionary methods adopted by the abolitionists and urged the defeat of the promoters of discord at the polls. When, how- ever, the Southern states fired on the government forts and took possession of government property, he urged the people to support the government. His wife, Jane Means Appleton (q.v.), died in Andover, Mass., Dec. 3, 1868. Of their three sons, two died in early youth, and the youngest, Benjamin Pierce, was killed in a railroad accident, Jan. 6, 1853, after his father's election, but be- fore his inauguration as President of the United States. President Pierce received the degree of LL.D. from Bowdoin in 1853, and from Dartmouth in 1860. The legislature of New Hampshire caused his portrait to be painted and placed in the hall of representatives in the state capitol. See lives of Pierce by Nathaniel Hawthorne and D. W. Bartlett, and a review of his administra- tion by A. E. Carroll. He died in Concord, N.H., Oct. 8, 1869.

PIERCE, Frederick Clifton, historian, was born in Worcester, Mass., July 30, 1856 ; son of Silas Austin and Maria N. (Smith) Pierce ; grand- son of Amos Pierce, and a descendant of John Pers of Watertown, Mass., 1637. He attended Groton academy, Mass., and engaged in journal- ism in Worcester, Mass., in 1879. He removed to Chicago, 111., 1880, and was city editor of the Gazette, 1880-90. He was business manager of the Chicago Journal, 1890-1900, and was chosen advertising manager of the Chicago Inter-Ocean in 1900, and business manager in 1901. He organized the City Grays, 3d regiment, Illinois National Guard, in 1883, and commanded it until 1885, when he was promoted colonel of staff to Governor Richard Oglesby. He was also a mem- ber of the staffs of Governors Fifer and Altgeld, and served as secretary of the National Guard for six years. He became a member of the

American Historical society, 1900 ; the Society of Jfmerican Authors, and many other organiza- tions. He is the author of : History of Grafton, JSIass. (1879) ; History of Bar re, Mass. (1880) ; Life and Services of R. M. A. Hawk (1886) ; His- tory of Rockfoixl, III. (1887) ; and numerous genealogies, including the Field, Foster, Har- wood, Whitney. Fisk, Fiske. Pierce, Peirce, Pearce, Forbes, Forbush, Gibson, Batcheller, Batchelder and Sherman families.

PIERCE, George Edmond, educator, was born in Southbury, Conn., Sept. 21, 1794; son of Samuel and Martlia (Edmond) Pierce, and a de- scendant of Robert Edmond, a native of Ireland. He was graduated at Yale, A.B., 1816, A.M., 1819 ; was principal of Fairfield academy. Conn., 1816- 18 ; was graduated at Andover Theological semi- nary in 1821 ; was ordained July 12, 1822, and was pastor at Harwinton, Conn., 1822-34. On Dec. 7, 1824, he married Susan, daughter of Martin Rockwell of Colebrook, Conn. He was president of Western Reserve college, 1834-55,

The old wesTERAj reserve college, hudso/v,oh(o. and during his administration a medical school was established at Cleveland in 1844, and an ob- servatory, athenaeum, chapel and several other new buildings erected. In 1850 he was sharply- criticised for what was termed his extravagance, the attendance decreased, the theological depart- ment closed, subscriptions fell off, and he re- signed his office in 1855, and was without charge at Hudson, Ohio, 1855-71. He received the de- gree D.D. from Middlebury college in 1838. H& died at Hudson, Ohio, May 27, 1871.

PIERCE, George Foster, M.E. bishop, was born in Greene county, Ga., Feb. 3, 1811 ; son of

the Rev. Lovick and (Foster) Pierce. He

graduated at Franklin college, Athens, Ga., A.B., 1829, A.M., 1832, and studied law under his uncle, Col. George Foster, in Greensborough, 1829-30. In January, 1831, he was admitted into the Georgia conference of the Methodist church, and was later a member of the South Carolina con- ference. He was presiding elder of the Augusta circuit, 1837-39, president of the Georgia Female college, which became the Wesleyan Female col- lege, at Macon, Ga., 1839-40, and agent of this institution in 1841. He was engaged in pastoral work, 1842-48 ; was a delegate to the general con-