Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-04-29
DEATH OF JOHN ID. PIERCE.

DEATH OF JOHN ID. PIERCE.
From the Lansing Republican
Rev. John ID. Pierce, father of the
Michigan school SYSTEM" and first
superintendent of public instruction,
died at the home of his daughter at Med
ford, Mass, near Boston, aged 50 years.
He was born in Chesterfield, n. H., and
lived with an uncle 20 years of age.
During his bOyhOOd he was allowed to
attend school two months in each year.
His uncle gave him his time year be-
fore he arrived at his majority, and then
he worked as farm labOrer until he had
saved 800. His grandfather gave him
a like amount, and then began the strug-
gle to get All education. He prepared
for college under the instruction of Rev.
EnOch Pond, and entered Brown univer-
sity in September, 1918. He was obliged
Ia teach school three months in year
in order to maintain himself, bnt by
close application was able to graduate
in 1922. in the first eight of class of 36.
He was one year principal of Wren
than academy, Massachusetts, and in
the fall of 1923, entered Princeton theO-
logical seminary. sHe was licensed to
preach, and on Jan. /, 1925, became pas
tor OF Congregational church in Onei-
da county, n. T., where he continued for
four years. The fury Of the Masonic
and anti-MasOnic contest compelled him
to close his pastOrate, and he engaged as
principal of the Goshen academy in Con-
necticut.
In the spring of 1881 the home mission
airy society commissioned him to settle
in Michigan or Illinois, and he chose the
peninsula and began his. work at Mar
shall in July of that year. The next
year he removed his family to Michigan,
and labOred as a missionary until July
rs, 1886, wheL at the organization of the
state government he was appointed SUI
perinlendent of public instruction. The
schools of the territory previous to
this time had been little else than pri-
vate enterprises. In this connection it
may not be inapprOpri ite to refer to the
conception and origin of the Michigan
school system, as related "Father" Pierce
at a meeting Of the state pioneer society
held in this city in February, 1875. The
census of 1884 gave the territory, $1,000
inhabitants, and constitutional con-
ventiOn was called to meet at Detroit in
the following May. Gen. Isaac Z. Crary
a graduate of an eastern college and
warm friend of education, was a year or
two q member of Mr.. Pierce's family.
The conditions and prospects of the new
state were often the subject of discus
sion, and especially the question of
schools.
About this time Cousins report on the
Prussian system, made to the French
minister, fell into Mr.. Pierces hands.
Sitting in company with Gen. Crary one
pleasant afternoon, upon log on the
hill north of where the courthouse of
Marshall now stands, they discussed for
long time the fundamental principles
which were deemed Importation the con.
stitutiOnal convention to adopt in laying
the foundation for the new state. They
were agreed that education should form
distinct branch of the state government
and that the constitution ought to pro-
vide for an officer who should have this
whole matter in charge.
Gen. Crary was member of the con-
ventiOn and was appointed chairman of
the committee on education He drew
up an article on that subject, reported
the same to the convention, and it be-
came the organic law. 1t provided
what no other state in the union had
dOne-fOr the appointment of superln-
tendent of public instruction. This was
to be done on nomination of the govern
or, with the joint vote of the two houses
of the legislature. At the election held
in October, 1885, the constitution was
ratified, Stevens T. Mason was elected
governor, and Gen. Crary representa-
tive to Congress-. 10
Up to this period Mr.. Pierce had never
thought of occupying the position for
which the constitution provided, al
though he had Oftentimes cOunseled
with Gen. Crary as to what ought to be
done to promote the best interests of the
state. Representative Crary, on his way
to Washington, held consultation with |
Gov. Mason, and proposed Mr.. Pierce's
name.fOr the newly created office. The |
governor wished to see Mr.. Pierce. as |
they were wholly unacquainted. About |
July 20, the latter visited Detroit and
had an interview with the governor. The
result was that on July 26 he was nOmi-
mated and unanimously confirmed as
of public instruction.
During the next five months he spent
his time in perfecting plan for the or
and support of primary
schools, a plan for a university with |
also, plan for the disposition
of the university and primary school
lands.
Soon after receiving his commission
Mr.. Pierce went east, and visited such
men as John A. Dix, Gov. Marcy of New
York, President Humphrey of Amherst |
Gov Everett of Massachusetts,