Pierce - Robert Bruce - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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