"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 614.  Malheur County.

GEORGE W. PEIRCE

     No compilation purporting to give in review the careers of the leading
citizens of Malheur county would be complete were there failure to incorporate
an epitome of the esteemed and capable gentleman whose name heads this
paragraph, since he has wrought here with a master hand in the development of
the county for many years, having a fine farm six miles west from Vale, since he
has done much in different frontier districts, since he fought the battles
bravely of the cause of the Union, since as a man he is upright, possessed of
great executive force, genial and affable, and highly esteemed by his fellows.
     Mr. Peirce was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, on August 30, 1830, being
the son of Gainer and Bethsina (McGeth) Peirce.  In 1838 the family came to
Columbiana county, Ohio, and in 1840 to Caldwell, Missouri, in which place our
subject received his education from the subscription schools held in the log
school houses.  Also he was in different parts of Missouri.  In 1849 he drove
seven yoke of cattle across the plains to Santa Fe, New Mexico, drawing a cargo
of seven thousand, three hundred and thirty-five pounds of black powder.  After
this he came to Las Vegas and worked in the quartermaster's department, under
Lieutenant Buford, until the fall of 1850, when he returned to Missouri, and in
the fall of 1852 he married Miss Frances Griffin, and one child was born to
them, Louis B., now in Yakima county, Washington.  In September, 1854, Mrs.
Peirce was called home by death.  On December 5, 1855, Mr. Peirce contracted a
second marriage, the lady of his choice at this time being Miss Mary, daughter
of Robert and Ann Edwards, a native of Kentucky, and the wedding taking place in
Buchanan county, Missouri.  Eighteen hundred and sixty-two was the date when Mr.
Peirce moved to Keokuk county, Iowa, and there he enlisted in the Ninth Iowa
Volunteer Infantry.  He participated in the battle of Nashville, and did good
military duty until August, 1865, having enlisted in the fall of 1864.  He is
now a member of the G.A.R., Hovey Post of Ontario.  Subsequent to the war Mr.
Peirce removed his family to Platt county, Missouri, and there he followed the
blacksmith trade, having learned the same from his father, who was a blacksmith.
In 1874 he removed to Paradise valley, Humboldt county, Nevada, and there
followed his trade until 1883, when he came by wagon to his present abode, being
six miles west from Vale.  This land he took as a homestead on August 16, 1883,
and here has been the family home since that time.  He has good land, well
improved, comfortable buildings and plenty of water for irrigating.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Peirce there have been born ten children, as follows:
Thaddeus W., deceased; Frances A., widow of the late David Coleman, of Paradise,
Nevada; Bethsina J., wife of W. G. Pennington; Felix F., deceased; Laura P.,
deceased; Sarah S., wife of David Cathcart, of Paradise, Nevada; George W.,
deceased; Isaac L., deceased; Martha E., wife of George Kershner; James F.,
married to Amy Ashmore.  Mr. Peirce is a Mason, and has been for forty-five
years, and he affiliates with the Acacia Lodge, No. 118.  In the political realm
he is identified with the socialistic movement, and in religious persuasion he
and his estimable wife are members of the Missionary Baptists.  In all his walk,
both public and private, Mr. Peirce is an exemplary man, and now in the golden
time of his well spent life he has the satisfaction of being in a circle of
friends and relatives by whom he is well beloved, and looked up to, and held in
great esteem.
     

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.