Georgia: Morgan County: Obituary of W. J. Pierce 13 May 1910 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: John R. Clarke jclarke@rose.net ==================================================================== “Madisonian,” Madison, GA, Friday, May 13, 1910 W. J. PEIRCE IS DEAD He Passed Away Saturday Night, At Rochester, Minn. News reached the city early Sunday morning that W. J. Peirce was dead at Rochester, Minn. He had been suffering from a stomach trouble for a number of years, and went to St. Mary’s Hospital, in above named city, about a week before his death. He was operated on Tuesday and died at 9:45 the following Saturday night. He was accompanied by his brother, Hon. Ed. B. Peirce, vice president of the Chicago and Rock Island railroad, and his wife, traveling in Mr. Peirce’s private car. The part of Mr. and Mrs. Peirce and his secretary left Rochester Sunday morning and reached Madison Monday night, where the car was parked. The remains were taken to the home of Mr. H. H. Fitzpatrick Tuesday morning, where the funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. H. Mashburn. The funeral services were brief and simple at 5:30. After the song, “Asleep in Jesus,” by Mrs. Stokes, Miss Barnett and Dr. Harriss, the minister read the burial service and offered a beautiful prayer. The singing of “Gathering Home” closed the services, and internment was in New Cemetery. There were many fresh and fragrant floral offerings, tokens of esteem from surviving friends. The pallbearers were Capt. Godfrey, Albert E. Douglas, A. H. Winter, Neil Vason, W. A. Shouse, and W. T. Bacon. The deceased was born and raised in Oxford, Miss and was nearly forty years old. He came to Madison about twelve ago as a book keeper for S. A. Turnell and lived in this county until about two years ago. On April 19, 1899 he was married to Miss Mary Richter, who died about four years ago. He never survived the shock of this great bereavement, and his subsequent life was a sad and melancholy one, though to others he always presented the bright side of his nature. No young man who ever lived in Madison was more generally esteemed or enjoyed the confidence of the people more thoroughly than Mr. Peirce. His heart was pure and his lips were clean. Never during our intimate association with him do we recall an expression from that could not have been made with propriety in the presence of most modest women. He led a correct life, regarding the laws of the land, and the laws of God he revered and served. He was a kind, gentle, modest man. He died as he lived, quietly and calmly. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Dibble, of Van Buren, Ark., and his brother, Ed. B. Peirce of Chicago, and an uncle, Ed. D. Peirce of Hattiesburg, Miss., who was present at the burial. There was at first some misunderstanding as to funeral arrangements, and Mrs. Alice Richter and Mr. R. D. Richter left Sunday afternoon for Van Buren, being intercepted by telegram at Nashville, and arriving in Madison Tuesday afternoon at 5:10. His remains rest besides those of his wife, and though the harvest is past and the summer is ended with their earthy careers, their loving spirits have been re-united in the harvest home of the spirit world. May the spring rains fall gently upon the new made grave of my faithful friend and the summer flowers bloom sweetly over his last earthly resting place. I certify this to be a true and accurate transcription of the obituary of William James Peirce as published in the Madison, GA Madisonian on the date referenced – John R. Clarke, Thomasville, GA, 19 Jun 2002.