The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-07-14
From the Boston POST
Gen. FRANKLIN PIERCE.


Pierce, who fought at Bunker Hill, served
credibly through the revolutionary war.
was member of the governors council,
hiqh sheriff of his county, governor OF New
Hampshire in 1927 and 1929, and died
April 1, 1889, aged 81 years. He pos
sessed greatf force of character and knowl-
edge of men, was a thorough republican,
was highly respected by all parties, and
exercised large influence on public af-
fairs. On the conclusion of the revolu-
tionary war he settled in Hillsborough,
which then was almost wilderness. He
married twice, and had by his first wife
one daughter, the widow Of General John
Mcneil, of this city, and by his second
wife five sons and three daughters. One
OF the daughters died in infancy, and the
other two died in 1887. leaving families.
or sons the Oldest, Benjamin r., was
a gallant officer OF the army, who distin-
.guished himself in the Florida war; and
the second, also, was connected with the
army, and attained the rank OF brevet col
onel. These are both dead. Another
died in early manhood. The remaining
sons are Colonel Henry D. Pierce. of Hills
borough, farmer Of great personal worth
and Of much wealth, who has represented
his town in the legislature; and the subject
of this amemoir.
Franklin Pierce was born in HILLSIDE.
rough November. %, 1904. He was sent
10 the neighboring schools Of Hancock and
cestown-living in the latter place
with the mother of the late Levi Wood
bury, to whom he pays grateful tribute
for the salutary influence she exercised
over his early boyhood His academic
studies were pursued at Exeter Academy.
In 1920, in his sixteenth year, ne entered
Bowdoin College, from which'he gradua.
ted, with credit, in 1924. DR.. Calvin f..
Stowe was one of his class. His agreea.
ble manners, manly bearing. social turn,
and fine talents, made him general ia
vorte; and among his intimate friends
were Hon. James Bell, Of Manchester, and
DIR. Luther v. Bell, the head Of the Nc
Lean ASYLUM of Summervlle, Nathaniel
Hawthorn, Jonathan Cilley, and James
Mason, SOL, of Jeremiah Mason. Three
wears were subsequently passed in prepar-
atorv studies in the offices OF Hon. Ed
mund Parker, Of Amherst, and OF Hon.
Levi Woodbury.. OF Portsmouth,, n. H.,
and in the law school of Judge Samuel
Howe, of Northampton, Massachusetts
The productions of Mr. Pierce bear wit
ness that these early and priceless advan-
tages for thorough culture were well i'm
proved; while the admiration and friend
ship entertained for him by contemporaries,
who subsequently became ornaments ol
their profession, was but the commence
ment of that favor which he has since uni
formlv attracted towards him.
Mr.. Pierce, in 1927, opened law office
in Hillsborough, opposite the residence o
Governor Pierce. AT this time the latter
enjoyed wide and just popularity in New
Hampshire, and this year he was elected
governor. The succeeding year, in con
sequence of the division in the republican
party on the presidential queston-a par
declaring for General Jackson and par
for Mr.. Adams-Governo Pierce, who
was jackson man." was defeated
The fruits of this anti-democratic victory
were the election by small majority Q
John Bell governor, and Of Hon. Samue
Bell United States senator. The next year
however, Governor Pierce was reelected
II was in the midst Of these stirring scenes
that Mr.. Pierce commenced the practice
of his profession. He had to favor hi
advancement in business relations and IL
political life, II is true, the wide inAuenc'
of his father; but the great success ,ha
Immediately attended him would have beel
but transient had he not have manifested
ability, industry, energy, and fidelity :
These won for him reputation as wild
as it was solid,
Mr. Pierce9ook jealous part in poll
tics, and in 1899 he was elected represen
tatiye from his native town, and again tn
!, three successive years. This was an err
in the political history Of New Hampshire
Il was the time when the. Granite Stat
Z came boldly to thsssupport of Gen. Jack
i. sons administration. Benjamin Pierce
4 lBy over two thoaSand majority, was elect
4 ed (I829) goyerB9t an entire congression
al delegation inf br Of Jackson's admin
istration was cho b, and Legislature wa
Z returned having. handsome democrati
majority. The tes for speaker in tn
latter indicate the strength Of parties
Mr.. Thornton, the. administration cand
!. date, receiving 1873, and Mr.. Wilson, op
{ pQsition, lOl. Ths next year i830) III
\ ,confeet hacayna still more animated an