Will F. Pierson Biography


	This biography appears on page 758 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" 	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and 
	was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				WILL F. PIERSON. 

	Various business interests and official duties have from time to 
time occupied the attention and profited by the energy of Will F. 
Pierson, who is now connected with various business affairs, including 
the Yankton Brewing Company, of which he is the vice president. He was 
born in Woodsfield, Ohio, January 27, 1869. His father, Allan H. 
Pierson, who was born in 1836 and died in 1908, when seventy-two years 
of age, made farming his life work and thus provided for his family. He 
was active and prominent in democratic circles in his section of the 
country and was frequently called upon to fill county offices, in which 
connections ho made a most creditable record. He wedded Mary L. Read, 
also a native of Ohio, who is still living at the age of seventy-two 
years. 

	Their family numbered six children, of whom Will F. Pierson is 
the fourth in order of birth. At the usual age he entered the public 
schools of Woodsfield, Ohio, and there continued his studies until he 
became a high-school pupil. When his text-books were put aside be began 
learning the confectionery business, displaying thoroughness and 
adaptability in the work. In 1895 he arrived in Yankton, South Dakota, 
and there entered the confectionery and bakery business, conducting his 
establishment for four years. In 1899 he was called to public office, 
being made deputy county auditor, serving under his brother John H., 
who was then county auditor. In this business he continued for two 
years and during the succeeding period of two years was employed at the 
State Insane Hospital. The following three years were spent as chief of 
police in Yankton, in which position he made a most creditable record. 
He also served for a time as chief of the fire department and is still 
one of its active members. In 1905 he became associated with the 
Yankton Brewing Company and is now its vice president. He has various 
other business connections and investments, being largely interested in 
West Virginia oil properties. 

	Mr. Pierson votes with the democratic party, keeping well 
informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Elks 
lodge and to the Commercial Club and his aid can ever be counted upon 
to further the plans and measures for the public good. He enjoys 
shooting, fishing and all kinds of manly outdoor sports and is a 
typical citizen of the northwest, actuated in all that he does by the 
spirit of enterprise which has been the dominant factor in the 
upbuilding of this section of the country.