James Terry Pierson 1804-1886

PIERSON, WOODRUFF, HARADON

Posted By: Mike Kearney (email)
Date: 12/16/2007 at 15:27:53

he Clinton Herald Thursday July 22, 1886 p. 3 A telegram was received here this forenoon conveying the sad intelligence that Mr. J.T. Pierson died this morning at Topeka, Kan., where he and Mrs. Pierson ahve been visiting for some time. It is not known definitely what was the immediate cause of his demise but it is supposed that the change to the warmer region, coupled with declining years, assisted the disease in its work of dissolution. Mr. Pierson was born in Orange Co., N.Y., about the year 1804, and was about 82 years old at the time of his demise. He was left at an early age with the care of his father's family and then doubtless cultivated tose business qualities which made him so successful in after life. He was a builder at one time in Auburn, N.Y., afterwards gooing to Buffalo. In 1832 he was joined in marriage to Miss Mary C. Woodruff. He, with his young wife, emigrated to McHenry county, Ill., in 1840, where he engaged in farming and mercantile persuits. He lived there for thirty years, during which time, he served as county treasurer, State representative, and was a justice of the peace for twenty consecutive years. In 1872 he came to Clinton where he had since resided, prominent always in the improvement of the city, which he served in 1876-7 as Mayor, and afterward as Treasurer. He was senior member o fthe dry goods house of Pierson & Rowley, and with identified with several leading industries of the city, besides owning much valuable real estate. Since he became a resident of Clinton, his helpmate though life was called home, and a few months ago he was joined in marriage to Miss Ida D. Haradon, daughter of L.P. Haradon, who survives hime. The time of the funeral is not definitely known but it is expected that the remains will reath here Saturday and the funeral will probably be held Sunday.