Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-09-11

many years. Mr.. Pierce was active and
Influential in the formation OF the Free Soil
party which later on became merged into
the Republican party. In 1860 MIR. Pierce
tial convention which nominated Abraham
Lincoln. He took an active and stirring
part In the canvass which followed.
In the very first week OF the war he en-
listed as private in Company l.. Sd Massa-
chusetts regiment, and at Fort Monroe he
had charge OF the contrabands under Cen
eral Butler. He wrote an article for the
Atlantic OF November 1861, on 'The Con
trabands ut Fortress Monroe" in which he
suggested the possible arming of the me-
gross against the South, closing with these
words "History will not fail to record
that Gn the i sss 1 ots OF were s' so%
barded by the Federal army and navy,
under command Of Major General
Butler and Commodore stringham, fourteen
negroes, lately Virginia slaves, now contra
band OF war, faithfully and without panic,
the Minnesota, and hailed with victor's
pride the stars and stripes as they again
waved OH the soil OF the Carolinas. Mr..
James II. Fields, publ.saer OF the Atlantic
Monthly, came to Mr.. Pierce in much alarm
with the proofs Of this article, saying, "DO
ing OF the negrOesf" mo replied Mr.:
Pierce, '.but ! suggest its possibility"
In 1862 MIR. Pierce was appointed by
Secretary Chase to take charge OF the
| freedmen and the plantations Of the
| South Carolina sea islands, and wrote an
article in the Atlantic on THE Freedman at
Port Royal" These experiences gave Mr..
Pierce great interest In tho freedmen, and
he formed the purpose OF writing the history
| OF the negro race In the war. He made the
most extensive collection OF literature on
the subject that has been found, and 1t has
been nicely arranged and bound In aconsid-
| cradle number OF volumes. which occupy
shelf in his attic near the private's chest
containing his soldiers equipment during
| tho war.
In 1868, without any effort on his part. he
was appointed collector o, internal revenue
for the Third Massachusetts district. He was
| appointed district attorney for this dStri 1t
BY Governor Bullock, and was elected to the
same office In 1866 and 1863 In 1869 he was
appointed secretary OF the board Of state
charities, and held that Office until 1874,
when he resigned. In this position he was
the founder OF the women's prison system. In
1875 and 1876 he represented the town OF
Milton in the Legislature, and was the author
of the important "act to limit municipal
Indebtedness" thereby earning the gratitude
Of taxpayers. In 1873 he declined tn, Office
OF assistant treasurer OF the United States al
Boston, profYered by President Hayes A
personal friend Of Charles Sumner and
U
fellow and Frances V. Balch, Mr.
Pierce's most important work was the
life of Sumner, two volumes OF which
were published in 1877. About yeal
ago two more volumes were published
simultaneously, completing the set known
ner." This was the last literary work Of
Importance which Mr.. Pierce did. Previous
to finishing these two volumes, his recent
principal literary work was the compilation
and writing of the "Genealogy OF the Pierce
Family" He was member OF the nationa
Republican convention OF 1876 and OF 1884
and had frequently been delegate to Re
publican state conventions. He was tn,
originator and very active manager and
trustee of the free public library OF the towl
OF Milton, and for years took broad inter
est In town affairs. In 1882 he received
the degree OF LII. ID. from his alma mater
; In 1890 he was the Republican candi
date for Congress in the Third district. al
, honor he had declined in 1883. He retire,
from politics after his defeat as candidate
: for Congress and travelled abroad. He re
= tured about three years ago and was elected
member OF the Legislature last fall. II
was a leading member OF the House OF Rep
resentatives. and the news OF his death will
received by his associates with profound sor
row. He was member Of the Massachus 1T
Historical society. In the last few years h
had given much time to historical research
Mr.. Pierce was twice married. His frs
wife was Miss Elizabeth II. kingsbury o
Providence, II. l. Their marriage tool
place in that city in 1865. Six children wer
born to them, namely Edward L. Pierce
Jr., Mary NJ. Pierce. the wife OF the Rev
Mr.. Hamilton Of Newton; Dr. George Bur
CESS Pierce, Charles sumner Pierce, Arthu
Johnson Pierce and Reginald Pierce All Q
these sons and the daughter are living. MI
Pierce's second wife was Miss Wood
head OF Huddersneld. Eng. Two chi
dren, Grace and Harold Pierce. both {
whom are living, were born 20 them. MIR.
Pierce accompanied her husband abroa
this summer. Although Mr.. Pierce had cor
ided to some OF his intimate friends that h
health had not been OF the best during tn
last year. no special alarm was felt r.gar,
Ing any serious consequences. He had bee
suffering more or less from a bad cough fc
some time, and he felt fully equal to the g,
ertions OF travel ut the time OF his depa
ture.