PIERSON, Joseph W., b 1858; 1905 Bio, Montrose County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/montrose/bios/piersonjw.txt --------------------------------------- Donated September 9, 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Joseph W. Pierson One of the earliest and longest dwellers on the California mesa, in Montrose county, and all the while one of the most enterprising and progressive citizens of that portion of the state, Joseph W. Pierson has played an important part in bringing the region from its condition of primitive wildness and barrenness to its present state of development and productiveness. He was born in Ohio on January 23, 1853, and is the son of Isaac and Maria L. (McMahon) Pierson, both natives of Ohio. The father was a farmer and passed his life on the farm his father had taken up in that state in the early pioneer days, dying there at the age of eighty-four years. The mother is still living on that place, and is also now well advanced in age. They had a family of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. In accordance with the customs of the time and locality, their son Joseph attended the public schools in the neighborhood of his home and assisted from his boyhood in the labors of the farm. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-nine, then in 1882, quitting the scenes and associations of his early life and seeking a new home wherein his hopes might expand and flourish, he came to Colorado and established himself at Longmont. A year later, however, he concluded that the Western slope was better adapted to his purposes and moved to Montrose county. In the fall of 1884 he pre-empted the ranch on which he now lives and which has ever since been his abiding place and the seat of his useful and productive labor. On this he settled and built his dwelling and other necessary structures before the ditch which irrigates his land was completed, but was unable to do much in the way of farming until after that great utility was put in operation. Since then he has gone on increasing his acreage of cultivation and improving his property in various ways until he has one of the most productive and desirable farms in his neighborhood. His principal crop is hay, but he raises also other ordinary farm products in quantities and has about eight acres of orchard all in good bearing condition. As a side issue he has given considerable attention to the culture of bees, and the production of honey. His apiary comprises one hundred stands of well-bred bees, and their yield in 1902 netted him four hundred dollars and in 1903 five hundred dollars. While deeply and intelligently interested in the local affairs of his section, and devoted to all means for its improvement, he is independent in politics, and takes no active part in partisan contests. On October 15, 1885, he united in marriage with Miss Addie Hatzell, a native of New Jersey and a daughter of George and Sarah (Ribbel) Hatzell, who were also natives of that state. They moved to Longmont, Colorado, in 1877, and there they passed the rest of their lives, both being now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Pierson have five children, Sadie L., May, Grace A., Albert M. and John S. They are all living and at home, the oldest being seventeen and the youngest six years of age. The ranch is eight miles from Delta. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.