Natchitoches County Louisiana Archives Biographies.....Pierson, Clarence July 16, 1868 - 
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Mike Miller http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00004.html#0000912 July 23, 2013, 9:42 pm

Source: A History of Louisiana, v.3,pp. 16-17; 1925
Author: Henry E. Chambers

CLARENCE PIERSON, M. D. Both as a professional man and citizen, Dr. Clarence 
Pierson measures up to the highest standards of Americanism, and is properly 
numbered among the best representatives of Alexandria and Rapides Parishes. He 
was born at Natchitoches, Louisiana, July 16, 1868, a son of Judge David and 
Sidney Amanda (Piper) Pierson, he born in Stewart County, Georgia, and she at 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was educated at Mount Lebanon, Louisiana, and began 
the practice of law at Winnfield, Louisiana, where he was the first prominent 
member of his profession. When the Secession Convention was called, he was 
elected to it, the youngest member of that body, but as he was elected to it as 
a Union supporter, he would not sign the ordinance declaring secession. 
However, once war was declared, he raised a company, of which he was elected 
captain, and was assigned to the Third Louisiana Infantry. He surrendered at 
the fall of Vicksburg, at which time he held the rank of lieutenant colonel. 
Judge Pierson served in the Western army, and at first was under Sterling 
Price. He was severely wounded three times.

	After the close of the war, of which he long retained many vivid 
memories, among them being the sound of General Grant’s voice, at Vicksburg, 
issuing the command to “cease firing,” he returned to Winnfield, and resumed 
his practice of the law. In 1865 he was elected district attorney by the 
soldier vote. At that time the district was composed of five parishes, so his 
territory was a large one. Subsequently he became a resident of Natchitoches, 
and was a resident of that city during the reconstruction period. He was 
president of the White League movement, which played so important a part in 
restoring that region to normalcy. His family were Episcopalians, while his 
wife’s people were Baptists. 



Fraternally he was a Mason. The only survivor of their three children is Doctor 
Pierson.

	After being a pupil of several excellent private schools of his native 
city, Doctor Pierson took a collegiate course at Baton Rouge, from which he was 
graduated in 1889, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Following his 
graduation he spent four seasons as sugar chemist in Louisiana, during which 
period he studied medicine, and then, entering Tulane University, New Orleans, 
was graduated from its medical department, in 1894, with the degree of Doctor 
of Medicine. During the time he was in the university, he worked as minute 
clerk of the Missouri State Senate, in 1892 and 1894, and in the latter year 
entered upon the practice of his profession at New Iberia, Louisiana. There he 
remained until 1900, when he was called home to attend to his father’s estate, 
the latter having died. While at New Iberia, Doctor Pierson was very active in 
civic affairs. In 1901 he located permanently at Alexandria, but while 
continuing his private practice, he, for sixteen years, was head of the 
hospital at Jackson, Louisiana. In 1895 he was elected superintendent of the 
Louisiana Insane Hospital at Pineville, Louisiana, but resigned when placed in 
charge of the hospital at Jackson. While at New Iberia he served for three 
years as county superintendent of schools, and for the same length of time was 
coroner, so that he has held many positions of trust and responsibility. Since 
1921 Doctor Pierson has specialized in mental and nervous diseases, having 
taken up these branches in post-graduate courses in New Orleans, and at 
different clinics. Recently he bought the Louisiana Hot Wells property with the 
intention of erecting here a hospital for those suffering from mental and 
nervous troubles.

In March, 1903, Doctor Pierson was married to Pattie Hunter, a daughter of 
Robert P. Hunter, and they have had the following children born to them: 
Clarence P. Junior, who was graduated from Tulane University in 1924, with the 
degree of Bachelor of Arts: : Louise, who is attending the Alexandria High 
School;	David. who is attending the Alexandria grammar school; and Hunter, who 
is the baby. Doctor Pierson is an Episcopalian, and his wife is a Catholic. 
Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite and Shriner Mason, and belongs to the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is past exalted ruler. He 
is a member of the local Rotary Club, of which he is ex-president, and he has 
been a delegate to the international convention of Rotary Clubs. In military 
matters Doctor Pierson has made a fine record as he was examining surgeon 
during the Spanish-American war, and also for the World war.

Additional Comments:
Clarence Pierson, M.D.

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