Bio of Hon. F. M. PEIRCE, Faribault Co., MN

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"HON. F. M. PEIRCE, a most prominent and influential citizen of southern
Minnesota, now living in Winnebago City, dates his residence in Faribault
county from May 17, 1856, at which time the county was in its infancy and
gave little promise of the development and progress which was to place it
among the leading counties in this great commonwealth.  He was born in
Putney, Windham county, Vermont, and comes of good old Revolutionary stock.
The family is originally of English origin and was founded in America
during the early Colonial days by ancestors who settled in Massachusetts. 
 The paternal grandfathers, Ezekiel Peirce, was for seven years in the
Colonial army, bravely and valiantly aiding in the struggle to secure 
American independence.  His son and namesake, the father of our subject, 
was also born in Putney, Vermont, and after he had reached years of 
maturity he wedded Miss Mary Burdett, a native of the same state.  They 
became the parents of six children:  Densmore, Ira, Martha, a son who 
died in infancy, F. M. and Walter.  The mother of this family died when 
our subject was only six years of age, after which the father was again 
married, his second union being with Keziah Cudworth, by whom he had one 
son, Frank B., who served in the late was in Kilpatrick's cavalry and 
is now living in De Soto, Missouri.
The father came to Minnesota in the fall of 1856, and subsequently removed
to Ogle county, Illinois, where he died at the ripe old age of eighty-four
years, respected by all who knew him.  He was a farmer by occupation, and
throughout his entire life followed that pursuit.  In early life he
supported the Whig party, but after the organization of the Republican
party he joined its ranks and ever after fought under its banner.  He held
membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
 The personal history of F. M. Peirce, to which we now turn the reader's
attention, will prove of great interest to many of our readers, for he had
a wide acquaintance throughout this community and has gained the esteem of
all with whom he had been brought in contact.  In early youth he attended 
the common schools, but his education obtained in the common-school room 
forms but a small part of his knowledge, which has been greatly 
supplemented by reading, observation and experience, until he is now a 
well informed man.
He first started out in business as an apprentice to a marble cutter and
followed the trade which he learned until 1854, when he came to the West on
a prospecting tour, looking over the country with the view of choosing a
place of location.  At Rock Island he crossed the Mississippi, which at
that time was spanned by no bridge in this region, and continued his 
journey by stage to Cedar Rapids.  After about four months he returned 
East, and in 1855, in company with his father and brother, again came to 
Iowa, and, as above stated, in May 1856, he came to Minnesota, and took 
up a claim on the east bank of the Blue Earth river, where he built a log 
cabin, made a home and began the development of a farm.  It was a tract 
of virgin soil, but he at once began its transformation and in course of 
time rich fields were yielding to him abundant harvests.  After carrying 
on the farm for several years he removed to Winnebago City, where he 
opened a general merchandise establishments, and during the succeeding 
twelve years was identified with the commercial interest of the place.  
One selling his store, he again went to the farm, comprising 260 acres 
of valuable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation.  
It is improved with good buildings, including substantial barns and sheds 
and a tasteful and comfortable dwelling, which is located on a natural 
building site and is surrounded by a beautiful grove of forest trees.  
This is a very valuable place, and in addition to general farming the 
enterprising owner also successfully carries on stock-raising, making a 
specialty of the breeding of Red Polled cattle. 
He became an enthusiast on the question of artesian wells and bored the
first on Blue Earth river, which supplies his home and barns for stock, 
and the public for water on the road.
 Mr. Peirce was married in Mankato, Minnesota, May 14, 1866, to Miss Hattie
Wetherell, who was born in Windham County, Connecticut, and is a daughter
of Marshall and Roxy (Carder) Wetherell, both of whom were native of
Connecticut.  The lady was reared and educated in the Nutmeg State and
became a popular and successful school-teacher, her ability of imparting
knowledge to others making her service very desirable.  To Mr. and Mrs.
Peirce have been born four children, as follows:  C. M., who has a position
of trust as bookkeeper with the North Dakota Milling Association of Grand
Forks, North Dakota; Walcott, at home; Arthur F., a druggist of Chicago,
Illinois; and Ella May, the only daughter, now in her fifteenth year.  The
sons have been provided with good educational privileges and thus fitted
for the practical and responsible duties of life.
 Mr. Peirce is a warm and true friend of the cause of education and does
all in his power to promote its interests.  In politics he was formerly a
stalwart Republican and a leader of his party in his locality.  He
zealously works in its interests, for he believes its principles are 
calculated to benefit the greater number, and whenever his judgment 
sanctions anything as right neither fear nor favor can prevent him from 
upholding his ideas.  He has been honored with several offices of trust, 
for his fellow townsmen recognize his worth and ability.  He has filled 
all the township offices in a manner creditable to himself and with 
satisfaction to the public, and in 1875 he was called upon to represent 
his district in the legislature of Minnesota.  He and his most estimable 
wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, contribute 
liberally to its support and do all in their power for its upbuilding.  
The are charitable and benevolent people, and their good deeds, quietly 
and unostentatiously performed, have won them the gratitude and respect 
of many.  Mr. Peirce is a man of broad and liberal views and progressive 
spirit, firm in his convictions and stanch in support of what he believes 
to be right.  His fidelity and loyalty have thus won him universal 
confidence, and his genial and friendly manner has made him a popular and 
valued citizen.  His public and private life alike are above reproach and 
the name of F. M. Peirce deserves an honored place on the pages of 
Faribault county's history."   

Exerpt from "Memories of the Counties of Faribault, Martin, Watonwan and
Jackson, Minnesota" (pp.195-197)
Chicago
The Lewis Publishing Company
1895