PIERSON, J. T.

PIERSON, WOODRUFF

Posted By: Administrator
Date: 10/4/2001 at 12:41:30

From the book "The History of Clinton County Iowa" by L. P. Allen (1879) Pages 669-697
Biographical Sketches of Clinton Residents

J. T. PIERSON, capitalist; residence cor. Fourth street and Seventh ave.; is a native of Orange Co., N. Y.; was born Dec. 5,1806; when his father died and he being the only son, the care of the family devolved upon him; he hired out for $16 a month: he was engaged in building in Auburn, N. V., and afterward engaged in mercantile business in Buffalo. He married Miss Mary C. Woodruff, a native of Suffolk Co., N. V., in 1832. They came to Illinois at an early day and located at Crystal Lake, McHenry Co., in 1840; he was one of the early settlers there engaged in mercantile business and farming; he lived there over thirty years; and during time he built up an enviable reputation for business ability and sterling integrity, and honored by the people with offices of honor and trust. He held the office of County Treasurer for four years and was elected Representative to the State Legislature, and held the office of Justice of the Peace for twenty years. He came to Iowa and located in Clinton in 1872, and engaged in building and has made some of the most substantial improvements in Clinton. He was elected Mayor of the city in 1876, and in 1877 was elected City Treasurer. He is senior member of the dry goods house of Pierson & Inscho, but does not give his attention to the business; he began life with only $350, and owes his success to his own efforts; and, although over 70 years of age, looks more than ten years younger.