From the Adams County Press [Friendship, Adams Co. WI], Saturday October 3, 1903, Page 1 Solon Wesley PIERCE, for more than forty years identified with the life of Adams county, was a native of New York, having been born in the town of Yorkshire, Cattaraugus county, on 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 sixty-two 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 at 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 had been in the practice of his profession, until a few months ago when ill health compelled him to retire. 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. MARSDEN and D. D. McGIBENY, issued the first number of the Adams County Press, of which he had been sole proprietor since 1856, and with which he was continuously connected since its establishment with the exception of the interval during which he was in the Civil War. To the Press he devoted much of his time and energy and to him is due largely its present thriving condition. In 1866 Mr. PIERCE published "Battle Fields and Camp Fires of the Thirty-eighth Regiment." Mr. PIERCE enlisted in Company K, Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, September 12, 1864, and was made first lieutenant. His regiment was attached to the Ninth Army Corps, Army of the Potomoc, 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 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 was marked by faithfulness to duty, patriotism and 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 was the author of that measure providing for biennial elections in Wisocnsin, 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 and 1882. He was active in the councils of the republican party, and in the assembly was a recognized leader. On April 16, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet E. WATERMAN. Of this union were born five children, four daughters and one son--Kate now Mrs. R. S. HARRISON of Friendship; May, now Mrs. N. M. JONES of Friendship; Mrs. Nellie L., Jessie W. and Harry S. PIERCE. Three years ago last March Mrs. PIERCE died, and since that time his health had gradually failed. Last winter he went south, in the hope that the change in climate might prove beneficial to his health, which was for a time somewhat improved. But in May he became worse and since that date had been unable to attend to any business matters. On September 11, 1903, he was stricken critically ill, and was afterward confined to the bed or couch. His physicians held out no hope for his recovery. He gradually grew weaker and on Wednesday morning, September 23, his brother watching at his bedside, noted a change in his appearance; he called his name and receiving no word or look of recognition, summoned the members of the family, but he never rallied and passed away without regaining consciousness. Funeral services were held at the church Friday afternoon at 1:30. A prayer was had at the home, and then the remains were followed to the church. Six Masonic Brethren--J. B. KEYES, A. F. HILL, E. KNIGHT, C. H. SCHNEIDER, A. F. STOWELL and W. R. ATCHERSON--acted as pallbearers. James DRUMMOND of the Necedah order, conducted the Masonic services, and a large delegation of Necedah brethren were present. Rev. A. H. SMITH made a brief address, taking for his text the words "He was a good man." A large crowd of his old comrades of the G. A. R., bearring the starry flag he loved, and of his neighbors and friends from the surrounding country, gathered to pay their last respects to his memory. At the close of the services at the church, the remains were conveyed to the village cemetery, where, with the beautiful rites of the Masonic order, he was laid to rest beside the wife of his youth. "He was a good man!" the widow, the fatherless and suffering, the needy, his friends and associates of many years, recalling little kindly incidents of his life, have echoed the words of the speaker, "He was a good man." And to those who cherish the memory of his life through the happy years of the intimate association of the family fireside, it seems that the Master had in mind such a one when he uttered the words of the text. Enemies he had, 'tis true, but we believe that during all the changing years he ever retained the respect of those by whom he was most bitterly opposed. For nearly half a century he lived in Adams county, and during all that time he devoted himself to what he believed were the best interests of the people. He gave to us all the best years of his life, and now, having passed the mark of three score years and ten, he has lain him down to rest--his life work ended.Back to menu page
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