Joseph L. Peirce (1816 - 1890)

Born 3 Apr 1816 in Carlise, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Julia A (Haas) Peirce — married 24 Apr 1845 in Jefferson County, Indiana

Descendants

Died 11 Feb 1890 at age 73 in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana

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Biography

Joseph Peirce was the son of Andrew Peirce and Rebecca (McKibbin) Peirce. According to the Peirce Family Bible, "Joseph Peirce was Born April the 3rd Anno Domini 1816 between 4 & 5 o'clock P.M."

Joseph married Julia A. Haas on April 24, 1845 in Jefferson County, Indiana. Joseph and Julia were the parents of eight children, including four daughters and four sons.

He became a member of the Presbyterian Church in Valparaiso on February 25, 1854. He was installed as a Ruling Member of the church on September 26, 1859. Joseph served as the Clerk of the Church for an amazing thirty-two years until his death. Before he established his shoe and boot business, Joseph ran a successful lumber mill. He also served as a county assessor for a number of years.

Obituary

From The Messenger, Thursday, February 18, 1890

Death of Joseph Peirce

Joseph Peirce, one of the landmarks in Valparaiso business circles, died Tuesday night, after a protracted illness of nearly two years. A severe fall, leading to sciatic rheumatism was the apparent cause. He suffered intensely until about six weeks ago, when the rheumatism seemingly passed away; but in this exhausted condition, it was impossible for him to rally. He gradually sank, the action of the heart failing toward the last, and passed peacefully away at about midnight.

Mr. Peirce was born near Carlise, Pa., and came to Valparaiso in the fall of 1851. He had been in the shoe business here for over thirty years. His place of business on Main street has been the seat of one of the oldest firms on the square.

Mr. Peirce was married in 1845 and leaves a wife and eight children, one of whom, Charles S. Peirce, continues the business at his father's old stand.

The funeral was held from the Presbyterian church this afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. S. N. Wilson officiating.

Sources

• Biography written by David M. Pierce
• Obituary transcribed by David M. Pierce June 11, 2011
• Find A Grave Memorial# 26963479
• Sources: The Peirce Family Bible; U.S. Fed. Census, 1860, 1870, 1880,Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; Church Register of the First Presbyterian Church, Valparaiso, IN, vol. I; The Church Records of the First Presbyterian Church, Valparaiso, IN, vol. II; obituary appearing in "The Messenger," Thursday, February 13, 1890.