Pierce - Robert Bruce
Source: Biographical Directory of
the United States Congress
PEIRCE,(sic - Pierce) Robert Bruce
Fraser, a Representative from Indiana; born in Laurel, Franklin County, Ind.,
February 17, 1843; attended the public schools and also educated by private
tutors; served in the Civil War as second lieutenant of Company H, One Hundred
and Thirty-fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers; was graduated from Wabash
College, Crawfordsville, Ind., in 1866; studied law at Shelbyville, Ind.; was
admitted to the bar in 1866 and commenced practice in Crawfordsville in 1867;
elected prosecuting attorney of Montgomery County in 1868 and reelected in 1870
and 1872; elected as a Republican to the Forty-seventh Congress (March 4,
1881-March 3, 1883); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1882 to the Forty-eighth
Congress; resumed the practice of law; appointed receiver for the Toledo, St.
Louis & Western Railway; died in Indianapolis, Ind., December 5, 1898;
interment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Crawfordsville, Ind.
=============
Source: The Political Graveyard.
Robert Bruce Fraser Peirce
(1843-1898) Born in Indiana, 1843. Republican. U.S. Representative from Indiana
8th District, 1881-83. Died in 1898. Interment at Oak Hill Cemetery. See also:
congressional biography.
==========
Source: Jamestown Press, 9 Dec 1898,
pg. 4
R.B.F. Peirce (sic -Pierce) manager
of the ID & W Railway died very suddenly at his home in Indianapolis
Monday. His body was taken to Crawfordsville, his former home, Wed. for
interment. He recently resigned his position as received of the Clover Leaf
system. He was the man who brought that road and the ID & W up to what they
are today.
===========
Source: Atlas of Montgomery County,
Indiana 1878 Chicago: JH Beers, p. 54
PIERCE, Robert BF; PO
Crawfordsville; Attorney; son of Henry and Mary F Peirce; was b. at Laurel,
Franklin Co IN; Feb 17, 1843; married Hattie BLAIR at Crawfordsville; Nov 28,
1866; children's names; Lottie J; Frank H and Edwin B. - kbz
===============
Source: H.W. Beckwith History of
Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881)
ROBERT B. F. PIERCE was born
February 17, 1843, at Laurel, Franklin County, Indiana. His father, Henry
Peirce, came of Puritan stock, and was born in Massachusetts. He came to
Indiana at an early day, settling first at Fairfield and afterward moving to
Laurel. The family was large, consisting of seven boys and two girls, and the
father failing in health, when Robert arrived at the age of seventeen, was too
poor to assist him into business or in getting an education. But he made up his
mind to have a full collegiate education, and in September, 1860, entered the
preparatory department of Wabash College. Being without funds he supported
himself by working during his spare time, sawing wood and doing such other work
as be could obtain; and for the first two years of his college course he sawed
all the wood used by one of the hotels in Crawfordsville. The war broke out
soon after he entered college, and as the different calls were made for
soldiers, one after another of his brothers entered the service until he, the
fourth and the only remaining one old enough to enlist, volunteered and was
chosen second lieutenant of his company. He remained in the army until the
close of the Atlanta campaign, when his regiment was mustered out of the
service. He then returned to college and renewed his studies. In 1866 he
graduated with the full honors of the regular classical course. In July, 1866,
he went to Shelbyville, in this state, to read law in the office of the Hon. B.
F. Love, and although a comparative stranger, was at once elected to fill a
vacancy in the office of city attorney by the unanimous vote of the city
council. He was married November 20, 1866, to Miss Hattie Blair, of
Crawfordsville, daughter of John W. Blair. She died October 28, 1878. They
became the parents of three children: Lais J.; Frank H. and Edwin B. He
remained there for one year, and in 1867 returned to Crawfordsville and opened
an office, and soon ranked high at a bar which has always been noted for its
strength. In the following year be was elected by the republicans as
prosecuting attorney for the counties of Clinton, Boone, Fountain, Warren, and
Montgomery; and being twice reelected, held the place for six years. He devoted
his time assiduously to the discharge of his official duties, and while so
engaged was brought in contact with some of the ablest lawyers in the state. He
sustained himself well, and soon became known for his energy, zeal and success
in the prosecution of criminals; and his official career is yet pointed to as a
model one for prosecutors. He never turned any of his cases over to other
management, but without exception gave them his personal attention. In May,
1874, he was appointed general solicitor of the Logansport, Crawfordsville
& southwestern Railroad Company, and elected one of its directors. He
continued to hold these positions until the sale of the road a few months ago.
He also gave his attention to the practice of the law in his and in neighboring
counties, and in the federal courts of Indianapolis and Chicago. He has
deservedly taken a high place in his profession, and it is no disparagement to
the other members of the Crawfordsville bar to say that he has no superior
there. Mr. Peirce has always been a republican, and being a pursuasive [sic]and
logical speaker his services on the stump have always been in demand, not only
in his County and district, but by the state central committee on behalf of the
state ticket. He has never been a candidate for any office except that of
prosecuting attorney, and though often pressed has always declined to enter the
lists for any political office. For the position Mr. Peirce now occupies in his
profession and in politics he really is indebted to no one; he is a self-made
man in the true sense of the word. His earnestness, in whatever he undertakes,
his untiring industry and energy, and his rare talents for command and
controversy render him almost invincible before the people. Mr. Peirce is not
less distinguished for the inflexible uprightness of his political conduct than
for his kindly disposition and winning manners. He is genial, affable, and has
the faculty of making warm and enthusiastic friends. - kbz