James Pierce was born in Alfred, N.Y., Dec. 26, 1817, and died at the home of his son Clark in Edgerton, Wis., Jan. 18, 1905, aged 87 years and 23 days. Brother Pierce was a pioneer in this country, coming the way of the lakes to Milwaukee and walking from there to the place where Milton now stands. Uncle Joseph Goodrich came at the same time and built the first house in Milton, into which he placed a stock of dry goods and groceries and placed Mr. Pierce in charge, when he returned to Alfred for his family. The next year Mr. Goodrich returned and found that Mr. Pierce had sold over $400 worth of goods. Mr. Pierce assisted in laying out the first road, in the organization of the town, and in all that kind of work, which falls to the lot of the first settlers of any new country.
In September, 1840, Brother Pierce was married to Miss Olive Hall, who died in March, 1901. Three children were born to them, two sons and one daughter. The daughter and one son died young. One son still lives with one brother and many other relatives and friends mourn their loss.
As near as we can learn, Brother Pierce was converted to Christ before coming to this country. Some say that he was a constituent member of the Milton church, which was organized in 1840. In April, 1846, his name heads a list of forty-three members who were dismissed by the Milton church to form the Rock River church, and in Nov, 1875, he became a member of the Milton Junction church and remained in its membership until death. He was a man of strong convictions, of sterling Christian characteristics, of sound judgment, one who was often sought for counsel, accurate in business, and one whom to know was a pleasure and a blessing. Geo. J. Crandall
