PIERCY, Charles Richard

PIERCY, BARNARD, PRESTON, SIDDERS, AUXIER, AYERS, BEVINS, ASHBURN, VENTLING, MCGAHUEY, SCOTT, LOWRANCE, ARGO

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/14/2014 at 11:04:35

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 278-80. Chicago. 1915.

CHARLES RICHARD PIERCY

Charles R. Piercy has resided in Bloomington township since 1878 and owns a valuable farm of four hundred and thirty-seven acres on sections 9 and 10. He was born in this county on the 1st of December, 1870, a son of James W[ayne]. and Amelia Ann (Barnard) Piercy. The paternal grandparents were reared and married in Kentucky, whence they removed to Illinois in an early day in the history of that state. In 1856 they came to Decatur countv, Iowa, and the grandfather, Nathan Piercy, entered land near Lamoni in both New Buda and Fayette townships. He subsequently traded that farm which is now known as the old Creveling place and is owned by Clem Creveling, and resided during his last years in the vicinity of Leon.

James W. Piercy settled in Bloomington township, this county, following his marriage and was living there at the time of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and after his term of service had expired veteranized, being at the front in all for about four years. At the close of hostilities he returned to Decatur county, but subsequently removed to Kansas, where he remained for about a year. The greater part of his life, however, was spent in this county. For five years, from 1873 to 1878, he engaged in the monument business and then again took up his residence in Bloomington township, residing near Tuskeega (sic, should be Tuskeego), where his death occurred. He was very successful as a farmer and also engaged in stock-raising to a considerable extent. His wife was born in Putnam county, Indiana, July 9, 1842, and in 1858 she accompanied her mother to Burrell township, Decatur county, Iowa. Her father was killed in the Indian wars in Indiana and her mother subsequently married a Mr. Preston, a resident of Indiana, who died before her removal to this state. She passed away at the home of her son-in-law, James W. Piercy, in Bloomington township about 1886 at an advanced age. A son, who was in the army, died in the west many years ago. Her religious faith was that of the Missionary Baptist church. Mrs. Amelia Ann Piercy is still living and resides with her youngest child, a daughter, who lives at Armena, Kansas. James W. Piercy passed away in the faith of the Missionary Baptist church, to which Mrs. Piercy also belongs. To their union were born ten children, six of whom are still living, three having died when small and a daughter having passed away at the age of eighteen. Those living are: Mrs. Amelia Frances Sidders, of Fullerton, Nebraska; M. W., who also resides in that town; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Auxier, a resident of Idaho; Charles R.; Mrs. Carrie Eva Ayers, of Holstein, Nebraska; and Mrs. Laura Etta Bevins, of Armena, Kansas.

Charles R. Piercy was reared in this county and attended the public schools in the acquirement of his education. He was early trained to agricultural pursuits and since reaching mature years has devoted his entire attention to the work of the farm. Since 1878 he has resided in Bloomington township and, although he had no capital when he began his independent career, his resources have since constantly increased and he now owns four hundred and thirty-seven acres of excellent land on sections 9 and 10. For twenty-one seasons he has operated a threshing machine and is still engaged in that business. He has succeeded in every enterprise that he has undertaken because he is energetic, determined and systematic, and prosperity is his just reward.

In [August 23] 1893 occurred the marriage of Mr. Piercy and Miss Luella Ashburn, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Ashburn, who are still living at Lamoni. Mrs. Piercy was born and reared in Bloomington township, where her father owns a large farm. Mr. and Mrs. Piercy have become the parents of five children, of whom one daughter died when two years old. Those who survive are: Mrs. Ruth A. Bentling (sic), who resides near Davis City, Iowa; James M., at home; Mrs. Golden Hair McGheuy (sic), who resides near Lamoni; and Inez, at home.

Mr. Piercy is a democrat and has taken quite a prominent part in local pubhc affairs. For four years he was township clerk and he was twice his party's candidate for county sheriff. Although in each case his opponent was a very popular man, he ran ahead of his ticket about six hundred votes. He is well known in local fraternal circles, as he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows lodges at Lamoni. Both he and his wife belong to the Baptist church at Tuskeega (sic) and the work of that organization profits by their cooperation and material support. His sterling qualities of character and his business ability have gained him the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens and there are many who hold him in warm regard.

NOTE: Nathan Piercy was born February 20, 1797, VA, and died April 11, 1870. Elizabeth (Scott) Piercy was born August 1, 1803, Wayne Co. KY, and died October 8, 1886. They were interred at Creveling Cemetery near Lamoni IA.

James Wayne Piercy was born February 23, 1837, Morgan Co. IL, and died November 10, 1895, Decatur Co. IA. Amelia Ann (Barnard) Piercy was born July 9, 1843, Parke Co. IN, and died March 23, 1923, Almena KS. They were interred at Palestine Cemetery near Leon IA.

Charles Richard Piercy died October 30, 1948. Luella Jane (Ashburn) Piercy was born December 24, 1870, and died October 22, 1959. They were interred at Lillie Cemetery near Lamoni IA. Also interred at Lillie Cemetery are Luella's parents: James Monroe Ashburn, born October 9, 1842, Civil War veteran with Co. D, 4th Iowa Infanty, and died June 2, 1918; Ruth Elizabeth (Mercer) Ashburn, born July 3, 1847, and died October 24, 1922.

Of Charles and Luella's children:
Ruth Amelia (Piercy) Ventling, born 28 May 1894; died 14 Jun 1932; interred Lillie Cemetery; married Orville Ventling
James Monroe "Jim" Piercy, born 15 Jul 1895; died 09 Dec 1962; Susan Anna Lowrance (1896-1961); interred Lillie Cemetery
Golden Hair (Piercy) McGahuey, born 28 Sep 1896; died 25 Nov 1995, Leon IA; married Edward Lee Oliver McGahuey (1887-1982); interred Decatur Cemetery, Decatur IA
Sylvia Alta Piercy, born 26 Aug 1898; died 24 Feb 1901; interred Lillie Cemetery
Inez Mary (Piercy) Argo, born 02 Jan 1900; died 10 Mar 1944; married Herbert Miles Argo (1898-1932); interred Lillie Cemetery

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014