Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-01-31
The Late Rev. ], A. Pierce.

The death Of Rev, J. A. Pierce ct q SAINT
tariam in battle Creek, Mich, at 3 O'Clock
Saturday afternoon, the 18th inst, while
not expected, came as d painful shock
to the members OF his family, his parish,
toners aud many friends and aequain-
tanees, About Thanksgiving time, he
suffered the hrst attack, but sitter little
bis condition improved ana the middle OF
this month he vas taken to Battle Greek
in the hope that the treatment there
might be the means OF prolopging his life,
All efforts proved unayaillng, hoSeyer,
and dissolution was the direct result Of a
recurrence Of hemorFhage Of the BRAIN FRI
day, the 18th, Mrs. Pierce was summoned
from Sterling, H., the afternoon OF that
day, but az the hour OF her arrival he had
lapsed into the Inconsistencies, from
which he never rallied,
TIE remains reached sterling the follow
ing Sunday and the funeral service was
held al o'elack "Wednesday afternoon,
the 23gd, in the Baptist church, of which
he had been the Welt loved pastor. The
body lay la state from 10 O'Clock in The
morning until the hour OF the funeral that
all might look for the last time upon the
face that they should see no more, The
sermon was delivered BY Rev. w. w.
Dewey OF the Messiah church, Chicago,
between whom aud the deceased had ex.
listed an intimate friendship OF years
standing, aud twelve hro' her elergymen
were present TO pay the last tribute OF re.
spect. large number OF his former
parishioners in Belvldere, ILL.,, went 10
Sterling for the service, among them Mrs,
l.. G. Willard (nee Hattie Webster), who
had been member of his congregation in
Randolph, and another OF his Vermont
friends, Mrs. Clarence Ford OF Chicago,
was also there. The floral tributes, many
| and very beautiful, expressed the general
feeling OF sorrow that the loss OF this
good man had oeoasioned.
The Sterling Daily Standard In its issue
OF the 2ist gave the following appreeiative
sketch:-
.Reg. James Andrew Pierce was born In
Chautauqua, n. ", May 10, 1919. He re-
ceived his education at Colgate university
In Hamilton, y. ", from which lnstitu-
ton he was graduated in 1873. His nrss
charge was Poultney, VT, and he success
fully filled pulpits at johnson and RAN
doiph IN that state. From the last
named place he came to Illinois IN lssC
and during the interval between that time
and three years ago, when he came to Sterl-
ing, was pastor OF the churches at Beiyi-
, deere, Windsor Park, Chicago, and South
Haven, Mich. In December, 1913, he was
called to the Baptist church OF this city
which he was serving at the time OF hi
death.
"Mr. Pierce was united IN marriage u
Miss Emma Thompson at Poultney, W.
5 June %. iSSs. Besides his wife, he left
three daughters, Lenora, Florence anc
; Ruth, and an only sister, Miss Saral
Q Pierce, who lived with him. (The eldes
|, daughter was born in Raudolph.l
ale was progressive in his church work
7 an active member of the Rock River Min
! isterial association, also OF the Steriint
Q and Rock Falls association, and ha'
= served both organizations In an ofhcia
! capacity. In Sterling he had been mos
successful, and his untimely taking ava
Q is a sad bereavement to his congregation
$ As a minister, he was God-fearing, God
J, loving, consistent, conscientious. lie wa
q a man OF deep convictions, fearless In tn
Q performance of duty; eager to condemn
a sin and wrong doing, but equally anxiou
X to alleviate suffering aud distress. he wa
: not only a minister, but pastor, iookin
to the needs OF his people and bestowin
d aid and sympathy whenever opportunit
u offered -