Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-09-18
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF GEN. PIERCE
Democratic Candidate for the Presidency.

Democratic Candidate for The Presidency.
General Pierce is the son of Benjamin Pierce
who fought at Bunker Hill, served honorabl,
through the revolutionary war, was member 0
the governors council, high sheriff of his county
governor of New Hampshire in 1927 and 1920
and died April |, 1889, aged 81 years. He pos
sessed great force of character and knowledge o
men, was thorough republican, was highly re,
spected by all parties, and exercised large in.
fnence on public affairs On the conclusion
Of the revolutionary war; he settled in Hilsbor.
ough, which then was almost wilderness. He
married twice, and had by his first wife one
daughter, the widow Of Gen. John Mcneil. anc
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. OF the
sons the oldest, Benjamin X, was a gallant Off
Ger of the army, who distinguished himself in
the Florida war; and the second, Also was con
nected with the army, and attained the rank OF
brevet colonel These are both dead. Another
died in early manhood. The remaining sons
are Col. Henry d. Pierce, of Hillsborough--a II
farmer of great personal worth and of much
wealth, who has represented his town in the leg.
islaure- and the subject of this memoir.
franklin Pierce was born in Hlshorougb,
Nov 90 1904. He was sent to the neighborng
schools of Hancock and Francestown living in
The latter place with the mother of the late Levi
Woodbury. to whom he pays grateful tribute for
the saluary influence she exercised over his ear
y boyhood. His academic studies were pursued
al Exeter academy. In 1920, in bis sixteenth
year, he entered Bowdoin College, from which
be graduated, with credit, in 1924. DR.. c. E.
Stowe was one of his class. His agreeable
manners, manly bearing, social turn and fine
talents, made him general lavorite and among
his intimate friends were Hon. James Bell, of
Manchester and Dr. Luther V. Bell, the head of
Mclean Asylum, Of Somerville, Nathaniel Haw-
thorn, Jonathan Ciey, and James Mason, son of
Jeremiah Mason. Three years were subsequent.
" passed in preparatory studies in the Offices Of
Hon. Edmund Parker, of Amherst, and of Hon.
Levi Woodbury., OF Portsmouth, N H., and in the
law school of Judge Samuel Howe, of Norham.
ton, Mass. The productions of Mr.. Pierce bear
witness that these early and priceless advanta-
ges for thorough culture were well improved
while the admiration and friendship entertained
Tor him by college cotemporaries, who subse
quently became ornaments Of their profession,
was hut the commencement Of that favor which
he has since uniformly attracted towards him.
Mr.. Pierce in 1927 opened a law Office in
Hillsboroueh, opposite the residence Of 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 consequences of the division of the re-
publican party on the presidential question: |
part declaring for Gen. Jackson and a part for
Mr.. Adams-Gov. Pierce, who was jackson
man." was defeated. The fruits of this anti |
democratic victory were the election, by small
majority, of John Bell governor, and Hon Sam'
Bell U. s. senator. The next year, however,
Gov. Pierce was re elected II was in the midst
Of these stirring scenes that Mr.. Pierce COM
msnced the practice of his profession. He
had, TO favor his advancement in business rela-
lions and iu political life, it is true the wide iu
iluence Of his father; but the great success that
Immediately attended him would have been but
transient, had he not manifested ability, industry,
energy and fidelity. These won for him rep
uaiion as wide as il was solid.
Mr.. Pierce took a zeelons part in politics, and
In 1928 he was elected representative from his
native town, and again the three successive years.
This was an era in the political history Of New
Hampshire. Il was the time when the Granite
State came boldly othe support of Gen. Jackson's
ad nnstraiion. Benz. Pierce, by over two thous-
and majority, was elected (ls29) governor an
entire congressional delegation in favor Of Jack
sons administration was chosen, and legisla.
lure was returned having handsome democrat
e majority. The votes for Speaker in the latter
Indicate the strength Of parties-Mr. Thornton,
ne administration candidate, receiving I %, and
W. Wilson, opposition, l0l. The mex, year 30) {
be contest became still more animated and Sc. I
'sre. Mr.. Harvey was the democratic candidate I
nd Gen. UPham the whig candidate and such
'as the success Of the democracy, at all points,
hai their candidate received four thousand votes
bore than his opponent One Of the fruits of this
lection was the return Of Hon. Isaac Hill to the c
I. :. Senate. n
Mr. Pierce took prominent part in these con- v
ss's, both 10 the field and in the legislature. and q
isre laid the foundation OF bis political influence o
I'd success. The questions 10 which be engaged "
'ere mostly local, tut there is one that stands "a
" o. general and important character. d
onFeniion Of democratic republican members a
'ss held in Concord. June Is. 1880. and sdoP- W
70 an address and resolutions that viii stand out "
'mong tie important political documents Of the b
ms, iOr their ability. clearness and sounduess u
.aeJ accurately define the character Of the con- a
'""'on clearly show bov the lavish system Of v