Bierce, Miles H., was born at Hillsdale, Columbia County, N. Y., December 6, 1819. His early life was spent upon a farm and he was educated at the common schools and Cazenovia Seminary, and for a time taught school. While quite a young man he engaged in the mercantile business at Scott, N. Y., and in 1850 came to Batavia and engaged in the dry goods business, in which he continued for forty-seven years. He was one of the oldest and most successful merchants of that day at the time of his death, on October 21, 1897. In 1884 he erected the block on the south side of Main Street which bears his name. Mr. Bierce served as assessor for nearly twenty years, and was recognized as authority on the value of property and on assessment laws. He took an active interest in educational and religious institutions. In 1850 Mr. Bierce was married to Laura J. Smith, who died in 1855, leaving one son, Miles Stanley, now of Cortland, N. Y. In 1859 he married Mary M. Smith, who survives him. To them was born a son. Manly S., who was associated in business with his father, becoming a member of the firm of M. H. Bierce & Son, in 1884. In 1884 Manly S. married Alice J. Hewitt, daughter of Mr. M. W. Hewitt. Miles H. Bierce was a man of strong intellect and very positive convictions, and he possessed the courage to do at all times what he considered to be right

Source: Our County and its people, A descriptive work on Genesee County, New York, Edited by: F. W. Beers, J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890