Biographical Sketch of

Solon Wesley Pierce

Transcribed by Christy Janke

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 224 - 226

Hon. Solon Wesley Pierce, for more than forty years identified with the public affairs of Adams county, 
Wisconsin, is a resident of the city of Friendship, and the annals of his county could not be compiled 
without frequent reference to his name and deeds.

Solon Wesley Pierce is a native of New York, born in the town of Yorkshire, Cattaraugus county, March 7, 
1831, the son of Daniel and Adeline (Demott-Brunson) Pierce. Daniel Pierce is supposed to have been a 
native of Massachusetts , and was of English lineage. His ancestors located near Marblehead in the early 
days of the Massachusetts colony, and the members of this family were active in the public affairs of the 
great commonwealth for many generations. The grandfather of our subject, John Pierce, had charge of a 
military school in Marblehead for some years, and later became a Methodist minister, and removed to New 
York, where he died. Daniel Pierce followed the occupation of a farmer, and died in Rochester, New York, 
in 1843, at the age of forty-five years. Our subject's mother,who later married James W. Norris, lived 
for many years at Nunda, Livingston county, New York, where she died at the age of eighty years. Her 
father, Hosea Brunson, was a veteran of the war of 1812, serving in a New York regiment. His family were 
of Scandinavian origin. His death occurred at Brighton, New York.

Solon Wesley Pierce received his primary education in the public schools of Rochester, then took a course 
in the Lima College, and later at Menden Academy, Menden, New York, He then became a stationary engineer, 
continuing in that calling for six years. In 1854 he came to Wisconsin, and located at Cascade ( now White 
Creek), Adams county. He had taken up the study of law before leaving New York, and he taught school for 
several years. In 1857 he removed to Friendship, and was admitted to the bar in 1858, since which time he 
has been in the practice of his profession. He instituted the first gerrymander suit in the state of 
Wisconsin, in January, 1892, having previously drafted a resolution which was adopted by the board of 
supervisors of Adams county, authorizing such action. His position was vindicated by the supreme court, 
which declared the apportionment unconstitutional, and ordered a re-apportionment. At the age of thirty 
years he was elected district attorney of the county, and he served three years as county judge. In 1861, 
April 28th, he with two associates, Thomas B. Mardsen and D.D. McGibeny, issued the first number of the 
"Adams County Press", of which paper he has been the sole proprietor since 1866, and with which he has been 
continuoasly connected since its establishment with the exception of the interval during which he was in the 
service. The "Press" is the oldest and most influential journal in the county. In 1866 our subject published 
"Battle Field and Camp Fires of the Thirty-eighth Regiment."

Mr. Pierce enlisted in Company K, Thirthy-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, September 12, 1864, and was 
made first lieutenant. His captain was T. B. Marsden. His regiment was attached to the Ninth Army Corps, Army 
of the Potomac, and he was never absent from duty during the entire period of his service. While in charge of 
a force of men engaged in felling trees in front of the Union lines a tree fell across his legs, causing severe 
injuries. He was compelled to go on crutches for three weeks, but he appeared regularly for duty. His entire army 
record is marked by faithfulness to duty, patriotism and unshrinking courage. He received his honorable discharge 
June 24, 1865.

In 1870 Mr. Pierce was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly, and was elected to the same body in 1877, 1878, 1880, 
1881, 1882, and 1897. He is the author of that measure providing for biennial elections in Wisconsin, and was active 
in securing the adoption of the amendment to the state constitution authorizing the same. He served as chairman 
of the judiciary committee in 1880, 1881, 1882. He has always been active in the councils of the Republican party, 
and the assembly was a recognized leader.

Mr. Pierce was married in 1851 to Hester A. Mosher, of Nunda, New York. She died August 25, 1865, aged thirty-four 
years. Our subject was married to his present wife, who was Miss Hattie E. Waterman, in 1866. She was the duaghter 
of Thomas and Susan (Norcross) Waterman, of Friendship, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of five 
children, named as follows: Katie L., now Mrs. Robert S. Harrison, of Friendship; Jennie May, now the wife of Norman 
M. Jones, of Friendship; Nellie L., now Mrs. C. F. Pierce, of Chicago; Jessie W. and Harry S., connected with his 
father in business in Friendship. Mr. Pierce is an honored member of Badger Post, G.A.R., and of the Quincy Lodge A.F. 
& A.M., at Friendship. He is a man deservedly popular throughout the county and that section of the state. He is 
liberal, broad-minded and generous, and his services to his county and state merit the highest meed of praise. and 
no man in central Wisconsin can boast more warm friends and earnest supporters.


Transcribed by Christy Janke






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