Riley Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Jacob Pierce
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
JACOB PIERCE. The home of this gentleman, who is a successful agriculturist, is one among the many pleasant residences of which Riley County furnishes so many examples. It is located on section 4 in the western part of Grant Township, the carefully cultivated and finely improved estate comprising 160 acres, and having been the home of its present owner since 1871. A view over the estate shows its owner to be skilled in the management of a farm, and a visit beneath the hospitable roof of the dwelling gives an equal estimate of the housewifely ability and good taste of the lady who is at the head of the household.
The eyes of Jacob Pierce first opened to the light Sept. 6th. 1833, and his boyhood, youth and early manhood were passed in the Buckeye State. (For sketch of his parents and parental family see biography of Joseph Pierce). He was engaged in an agricultural life in Auglaize County until August 1862, when, feeling the needs of his country, he could no longer content himself in the peaceful walks of life and therefore enlisted in Company E, 118th Ohio Infantry, which formed a part of the 23rd Army Corps. He was in Knoxville during the siege of that city and during his army life faithfully discharged his duties. At the close of the war he was discharged at Washington City, June 30, 1865, and returned to Ohio, where he remained until the spring of 1869.
Early that season Mr. Pierce turned his face toward the West and arriving in Manhattan March 23, settled on a preemption claim of eighty acres, seven miles east of his present home. Two years later he moved to the place which he now occupies, taking the land under the Homestead Act. and building on his first claim the second house in the "divide" between Manhattan and Clay Center.
Realizing that it was not '-good for man to live alone, Mr. Pierce was married on April 11, 1861, to Miss Elmira, daughter of Richard and Agnes Merrill, the former of whom is now living in this township, at the age of seventy-eight years. Mrs. Merrill died in July, 1863, being then seventy-seven years old. Mrs. Pierce was born in Harrison Township, Richland Co. Ohio, and is the sixth in a family of ten children.
The first born in the family of which Mrs. Pierce is a member, was her brother�Nicholas�who died in Richland County, Ohio, when sixteen years old. The next in the family is Mary A., who is unmarried and lives with her father. Elizabeth is living in Paulding County, Ohio, and has four children. She is the widow of Samuel Pierce, who served in the same company with our subject, and was wounded at Reseca. Ga., from the effects of which he died. John W. was a member of Company K., 8th Iowa Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge in August, 1865. His left ear was deafened by the explosion of a shell close to his head. He came to Kansas in 1871 and now lives with the subject of this sketch. On March 6,1866, he married Miss Annie Bolton, who died Jan. 14, 1875, leaving four children�Susan L., William, John and Anna. Of these the first born married Charles Mitchell, and departed this life when about twenty years old. The others are single and at home. The third sister of Mrs. Pierce is Jane, who married William Lambert and is now living in Ogden, Kan. Emma died in Michigan at the age of thirty-six, leaving four children, having been the wife of William Klinger. Harriet is the wife of William H. Goldrick, and the mother of two children, the family home being in Berrien County, Mich. Demas and William P. are unmarried and live with their father.
Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of eight children, named respectively: Agnes J., Thomas E., Mary M., Ida Belle, Annie E., William I., Laura M. and Forrest R. Agnes died when thirteen years old; Laura at the age of five years; and Forrest R. when one year old. Mary married Wesley M. Enlow, who carries on a grocery store in Leonardville; they have one child. Ida Belle married C. E. Stice, and lives on a farm near that of her father; they have one child. The others are single and at home.
Mr. Pierce is a thorough going Republican, his first vote having been cast for Fremont in 1856, since which time he has ever stood by the party of his choice. He belongs to the Sergeant Mercer Post. No. 194. G. A. R. at Leonardville, as does his brother-in-law John W. Merrill. He is a member of the Church of God, and for his Christian character, his good citizenship, and his ability in his chosen occupation, he is held in high esteem by neighbors and acquaintances.