PIERCE, Benjamin D. - 1890 Bio (1804-1896)

PIERCE, DAVIES, IDDINGS, COPPOCK, RUBY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/21/2007 at 20:41:12

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 302-303

Benjamin D. PIERCE, an honored citizen of Fairfield, has been a resident of Iowa for a half century. He is now an old man of eighty-six years. He has witnessed three of the four wars in which our country has been engaged, has seen the introduction of the many wonderful inventions which characterize this era in the world's history, and has watched the steady progress of civilization constantly marching westward. His birth-place was Grayson County, Va., his boyhood days were spent in Ohio, he passed his early manhood years in Wayne County, Ind., and for half a century he has resided in Iowa.

The PIERCE family to which our subject belongs was founded in America during the seventeenth century by his paternal grandfather, George PIERCE, who, accompanied by three brothers, emigrated from England in the colony with William Penn, and settled in Philadelphia. All were followers of the same faith as their leader, and to a great extent their descendants have embraced the doctrine of the Society of Friends. The grandfather of Mr. PIERCE was married in this country, and settled in Chester County, Pa., where, on the 28th of February, 1755, was born Gainer PIERCE, the father of our subject. On attaining man's estate he wedded Ruth DAVIES, who was born August 5, 1763, in Chester County, and was of Welsh descent. They began their domestic life in the Keystone State, but afterward removed to Grayson County, Va., and in 1809 became residents of Miami County, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. For a livelihood Mr. PIERCE followed the wagon-maker's trade. He lived the quiet and unassuming life common to the people of his religious faith, and died in Ohio, October 23, 1821. His wife afterward married Benjamin IDDINGS, and died in March, 1840.

Our subject, who was born on the 25th of September, 1804, was the youngest of seven children, five sons and two daughters, and is the only surviving one. He received but little opportunity for securing an education, but in the district schools managed to gain a fair knowledge of the three R's (sic). When about fifteen years of age he learned the carpenter and cabinet maker's trade, at which he worked until his marriage, which occurred in Miami County, Ohio, August 30, 1827, the lady of his choice being Rachel COPPOCK, who was born in Miami County, Ohio, October 8, 1809. Removing to Indiana, they made their home in Wayne County until 1841, when they became residents of Henry County, Iowa, where Mr. PIERCE purchased about one thousand acres of land, on which he made many and important improvments. From Henry County he removed to Newton, Jasper County, where he was residing during the exciting times which prededed the war. When the question of the abolition of slavery came up afresh, he took a decided stand with the Abolitionists, and made public addresses in some forty counties of Iowa, many times at the peril of his life. He also took an active part in assisting negroes on their way to freedom by means of the celebrated Underground Railroad. Then being off the direct line, he removed to Fairfield in order that he might better assist in that work. Mr. PIERCE cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay, and continued to support the Whig party until its dissolution, since which time he has voted with the Republican party.

For nearly sixty-three years Mr. and Mrs PIERCE traveled life's journey together as man and wife, but the ties of this earth were broken, and on the 2d of April, 1890, the spirit of the loved wife returned to Him who gave it, leaving the bereaved husband to continue on alone until he too shall be called to cross the dark river and meet the loved one gone before. They had no children of their own, but Mr. PIERCE has not been left without a comforter. Twenty years ago the worthy couple took into their home Miss Mary C. RUBY, and lavishing upon her the love and attention which would have been given to children of their own, they were repaid by her kind ministrations to them in their old age, prompted by all the affection and fidelity of a daughter. At the age of eighty-six, Mr. PIERCE still lingers on the shores of time, beloved and respected by those who know him and appreciate his worth. He has been honest in his dealings and upright in character. Of this world's goods he has enough and to spare.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.