The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-07-21
Putneyand Vicinity
PUTNEY.
Golden Wedding Celebration OF Mr.. and
Mrs. T, L, Pierce.

Deacon and Mrs. f.. l., Pierce celebrated
their golden wedding anniversary Monday,
At noon dinner wa served to the mem
ben OF the family, 10 covers being laid,
The gathering consisted Of the bride and
groom, their children, II. l.. Pierce Of
Boston, DR.. and Mrs. +. h. Pierce of
Howell, Mich, Miss Jennie f. Pierce,
grandchildren jeanette and Raymond
Pierce of Howell Mich. brothers and sis.
tiers, MIR and Mrs. l., p Bailey; Mr.. and
Mrs f. q. Pierce Of Warren, Mass; Allen
VI Pierce of Boston; Mr. and Mrs. George
A. Merrill OF South birmingham, Mass, !;
nephews and nieces, Mr.. and Mrs, III, J.,
Bailey; Mr., and Mrs, Roy W, Bailey Of
Bristol, X, !, An informal reception was
held from 3 TO , and from I TO o'clock.
Mr.. and Mrs Pierce received the congratu-
lations of their friends and were the re-
cipents of many valuable remembrance.
Guests registering besides the members of
the family numbered IL 1t was a very
pleasant occasion, Mrs Pierce was gowned
in her wedding dress of green striped silk,
unaltered in style, and wore an embroid.
cred collar and breast pin which she wore
at her wedding 80 years ago,
Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were married at
East Westminster, July II, 1861, the cere.
mony being performed by Rev. \. II. Eos
ter Six children were born to them Her.
bent L.. now of Boston; Ada g., gTadu.
ate OF Vermont academy, who died AT the
age of - Eugene b., who was graduated
at Vermont academy in 1898 and from
Williams college in 1877, and the medical
department of the University Of Michigan
at Ann Harbor, in 1893, and Is now super
intendent Of the Michigan State sanato-
rum for tuberculosis patients at Howell;
Jennie f., a graduate Of Northiield sem
mary. and also student at syracuse UNI
veIsity, who has been teacher OF ability
in the high school here and is now taking
up a course of study in Boston; and twin
daughters. Minnie j., and May b., who
died in infancy,
+. l.. Pierce was born in East Putney,
one Of family Of eight children, born to
Leroy and Fanny (Allenl Pierce. and is
a representative OF good old New England
stock His grcat.gnndfather, Ebenezer
Pierce, was shot by British soldier Just
before the battle Of Bennington, and his
great. grandfather, Lieutenant Jonas Allen,
was one Of the first settlers OF Royalston,
Mass. and was revolutionary soldier
who was in the battle of Bunker Hill. Mr..
Pierce was the eldest of the family and be.
gan his life work early. His educational ad
vantages were limited but he made good
use Of his time and talents At ID years OF
age he took charge OF his fathers saw
mill and also kept the books. At Il he
bought his time and rented the mill. Us he
grew prosperous he gradually increased ms
business enlarging the mil until he had
a sawmill, grist mill aud shop. In lSI2 he
greatly enlarged his mill, putting IN steam
power He was associated with his broth
err F. o. Pierce, in business. In 1917 he
1. In. hta
portable steam mill to various places, In
1852 the mill at East Putney and the ma.
chinery were totally destroyed by fire and
As there was no insurance the loss was very
heavy, but Mr. Pierce was not discouraged
and began rebuilding and IN very short
time had the mill completed and resumed
business.
The County Gazetteer refers to Mr.,
Pierce's business in 1881 rs giving employ
ment TO about - hands. Manufacturing
300, 1000 feet Of lumber, 80 carloads OF
chair stock, and $500 worth Of boxes an
nually. This mill was burned in 1890, but
was again rebuilt. During this time East
Putney, or the Hollow, was a thriving lit
tie hamlet In 1857 Deacon Pierce bought
the old factory site in this village and
erected a sawmill, chair stock and box FAC
tory. During the operation OF tins plant II
was a thriving industry, and an important
factor Of business in the town This null
was burned in the spring Of 1908. In Sep
temher 1891. Mr.. Pierce erected q saw.
mill at Brookine, employing a number OF
men This mill was burned IN less than
two years after its erection, having only a
small insurance. 1t was again rebuilt. In
1896 Deacon Pierce erected a steam mil
at Westminster West, which was operated
for time. employing a number OF men.
MIR. Pierce is now in Brookline in the lum-
Der business. His business has been large
in the output OF lumber, getting out IN a
finished state about 3.0OO,0O0 feet of lum-
Der annually. In spite Of the serious ilres
and heavy losses Mr. Pierce had the cour
age to persevere in his chosen work.and he
j. an example of an energetic, industrious
business man. He is now engaged IN per
sonalIy experimenting his business in
Brookline He united with the Congrega-
tional church in 1869 and was elected to
the office of deacon Aug so, 1872, and has
served the church faithfully IN tins capac-
ity for 80 years
Mrs Jane l.. (BennetD Pierce was born
in East Putney, May 10, 1898, a daughter
of William S. and Cynthia (Parker) Ben
nett, and is the only survivor OF seven
children She is also OF revolutionary de-
scent, tcI great SldH'lidtHSl- ''"ihhe' ~"
nett, serving in the revolutionary war.
Mrs. Pierce is a member of the Congrega-
tional church. Golden Rule Chapter, No,
3. o. L. s., the Ladies society, and Col,
w H. Greenwood W. K. G., No. 60. Mrs;
Pierce has been an efficient worker IN all
these societies, serving as president OF the
Ladies Aid society from October, 1913, to
October. 1891 matron OF Golden Rule
Chapter 1S991900, and has also been
elected and appointed to the offices of asso-
ciate matron and Electa. She is now asso,,
ciate matron of the chapter and has served
as color bearer and patriotic instructor OF
Col. w. H Greenwood W. r. {.
J. B. Derry is spending his vacation at
home
Miss Sylvia Derry is visiting in Town,
shend and Windham.
Mrs. f. w Huntley of Brattleboro Wis
tied in town Wednesday
Mrs. Selma Hopkins of Chester is guest
of her sister, Mrs. c. L. Thwing.
Rev. j, E. Berry will preach in Pierce's
hall next Sunday afternoon at 10 o'clock
J. Z. Jacobs and Miss Martha Ayers Of
Brattleboro were visitors in town Monday.
Dr. and Mrs. Z. B. Peirce went We'd
nesday to visit friends in Westminster for
a few days.