My Genealogy Hound

DARWIN PEIRCE. This worthy descendant of a good ancestral line, occupies a portion of the old Peirce estate in Clark County, which, during the life of his grandfather reached the extent of two thousand acres. Jonathan Peirce came to this section from Chester County, Pa., in 1832, first spending a year in Warren County, and then becoming a resident of Clark County. For several years he operated rented land, but eventually acquired the splendid estate before mentioned, the land being all in one body. He had been a large farmer in the Keystone State, but becoming involved, not only lost his property, but was left several thousand dollars in debt. After getting started here, he returned to the East and bought up his notes, settling all his indebtedness dollar for dollar. He made quite a fortune in the Peirce hay rake, in which he was interested. After his death, three days were required to sell the stock that was on his farm. He passed away in 1852, at the age of sixty-five years, leaving two children, among whom and their heirs his estate was divided.

The wife of Grandfather Peirce was Hannah, daughter of Abram Darlington, of Chester County, Pa. The Darlington family was a large, wealthy, and aristocratic one. When Mr. Peirce met with the financial reverses before mentioned, he would not remain in the section where his wife’s people resided, but preferred to retrieve his fortune in a different locality — which he did. Both the Darlington and Peirce families were of English stock, and Quaker faith. They had to leave England on account of their religion, the Quakers at that time being persecuted in England. Jonathan and Hannah Peirce were the parents of five children: William died in 1864, leaving a son and two daughters; Darwin died unmarried shortly after the family came to Ohio; Susan D. became the wife of a Mr. Jennings, but died without children, prior to the death of her father; Edwin died in 1846, leaving three children: Jacob, who now lives in Denver, Colo., had seven children, four of whom are yet living.

Edwin Peirce, the father of our subject, married Miss Frances Williams, who was born in Ireland, and accompanied her parents to America when she was but an infant. Her father, William Williams, located in Maryland, and died there, the other members of the family afterward coming to Springfield, Ohio. After his marriage, Edwin Peirce remained with his father, his wife having charge of the house. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Frances Peirce continued to keep house for her father-in-law until his death in 1852. Edwin Peirce, although physically a cripple, was mentally vigorous, and possessed a character which won respect. His family consisted of our subject; Hannah M., principal of the High School in Delaware, this State; Laura, who married Seymour Harrold, and lives in Delaware, Ohio, their family comprising three children. Mr. Harrold now owns one thousand acres of land near the home of our subject.

The subject of this biographical notice, was born July 5, 1841, and at the age of nineteen years took charge of the farm where he now lives. As the estate had become seriously involved through bad management, he had to work hard to save the land. His mother and two sisters were living with him, and not long after the war broke out, he left them to take care of the farm, and gave himself to his country. His name was attached to the muster roll of Company C, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry, his term of service dating from August 5, 1862. He joined the army of the Potomac, and took part in various heavy engagements. At Winchester the regiment was surrounded, and half of its members were lost in cutting their way out. At the terrible battle of the Wilderness, Mr. Peirce bore his share of hard fighting, as he afterward did at Cedar Creek, to which Sheridan came “from Winchester twenty miles away,” making the ride which have been so glowingly described by our artist-poet, T. B. Read. Mr. Peirce took part in all the battles of Richmond and Petersburg, being with his regiment in all its engagements, and although wounded three times, never consenting to go to the hospital. He was shot in the left side with a minie ball, and also in the left leg, while his right leg was injured by a fragment of a shell. After a meritorious service, he was mustered out in July, 1865, and returned to the Buckeye State to resume the peaceful occupation of farming.

With the help of his sisters, our subject soon cleared the old place of debt, and on October 3, 1871, had his affairs on so firm a footing, that he felt justified in taking to himself a wife. He was therefore married to Miss Mary E., daughter of Mathew Mattinson, of South Charleston. The years which have passed have brought Mr. Peirce prosperity and happiness, and have taught him a higher appreciation of his wife’s character than he had as a lover. The associations and duties of married life have brought out her good qualities in brighter relief, as they have strengthened and developed his own character. They have two children, John and Thomas, who will be graduated from the High School at South Charleston, at the conclusion of the present school year.

Mr. Peirce operates two hundred and seventy acres of the old homestead, one-third of this acreage belonging to his sister Hannah. He carries on general farming so successfully, as to supply his home with every comfort and enable him to lay aside something on which to depend in declining years. He is Colonel of the Clark County Regiment, of the Grand Army Post, and by his title is quite popularly known. He is now a member of the Soldiers’ Relief Commission of the county. In polilical affairs he takes an active part, working for the Republican party, by whom his name was prominently mentioned at the spring caucus in 1890, as a candidate for Sheriff.