Biographical Sketch of

C. E. Peirce

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 722


C. E. Peirce, financial manager of the Germania Company, a business corporation of Germania, resides in that village, 
and is one of its most prominent citizens.  He was born on the family homestead, in the town of Shields, Marquette 
County, and is the only son of Abraham and Henrietta (Jones) Peirce.  His father was born in Worcester County, Mass., 
in 1800, and was twice married.  He wedded a Mrs. Ellis, by whom he had two daughters:  Mary A., wife of Col. Joel B. 
Colough, of Minneapolis, Minn., who served as First Assistant Engineer under Gen. Anderson, on the North Pacific Road, 
having charge of the construction of that road from Miles City to Billings, Mont.:  Martha, the other daughter, resides 
with her sister, and has been an invalid for many years.  The mother of those children was a widow at the time of her 
marriage with Mr. Peirce and by her former union also had two daughters:  Angelina, wife of S. N. Hartell, of Germania, 
Wis.; and Hattie, a successful teacher, who died in 1863.
 
The year 1847, witnessed the arrival of Abraham Peirce in Wisconsin.  He resided in Kenosha for three years and in 1850 
located in the town of Shields, Marquette County, where he engaged in farming, entering land adjacent to Lake Menomonee.  
Upon that farm he resided until his death, which occurred in 1853.  He was a man honored and respected by all who knew 
him, and was a prominent citizen of that county during its early days.  Mrs. Peirce, the mother of our subject, still 
survives her husband.  She was born in Worcester County, Mass., in 1816, and is a daughter of Maj. Jones, who was a 
prominent man of his day and one of the officials of the militia of the old Bay State.  Mrs. Peirce after the death 
of her husband returned to Massachusetts and was again married, becoming the wife of Benjamin Hall, with whom she 
returned to Wisconsin in 1859.  Mr. Hall, who is now deceased, was practically the founder of the Germania Company,
 one of the extensive business corporations of the county, and it was also through his instrumentality that the 
water power of Germania was utilized.
 
C. E. Peirce, whose name heads this sketch, was born in 1850, in the town of Shields, Marquette County, and on the 
homestead farm the days of his boyhood and youth were passed.  He was twenty years of age when, in the month of 
November, 1870, he led to the marriage altar Miss Nettie S. Wright, who was a native of Massachusetts, and 
accompanied her parents to Adams County, Wis., when about six years of age.  Her family are still living in 
that county.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peirce have been born four interesting children, two sons and two daughters--
Paul M., Ruth D., Mabel H. and Howard W., who are still with their parents.
 
Mr. Peirce is one of the prominent and influential citizens not only of the village in which he makes his home, 
but of Marquette County as well.  He is the efficient and trusted manager of the Germania Company, having special 
charge of the mercantile department.  The company engages in general farming and stock raising, as well as commercial 
pursuits.  Mr. Peirce leaves nothing undone which will advance the interests of the corporation, but labors earnestly 
for its welfare and has won the confidence and high regard of all connected with the company.  Throughout the 
community he is esteemed by his fellow-citizens as a man of honor and worth and his circle of friends and 
acquaintances is extensive.






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu