 J. G. PIERCE, farmer, Sec. 4, 5 and 3; P.O. Oregon, born in 1836, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. son of John and Alvira (Hyatte) Pierce, both natives of New York; in June, 1842, the family settled on a wild, new farm near Janesville, Wis. and after building, breaking, etc., exchanged for 160 acres of the Pierce farm in Oregon; Mr. P. and sons did good work here, cleared the scattering burr oaks, the father owning 120 acres, J.G. 280, Sylvester 120 and Alfred 80; there were nine children-Mary A., Sylvester, Orelia, John G., Jane, Rebecca and Nancy; were born in Jefferson Co., N. Y.; Melvin was born and died in Rock Co; Alfred was born in Oregon.No family in Dane Co. suffered equally with them from the tornado of May 23, 1878; the old couple and Alfred were in the substantial well-framed house when the storm struck them; the son, standing in the door, was hurled headlong and laid senseless as the house rose bodily from its foundations, striking the ground twice, was crushed like an egg-shell the third time; Mr. P. was badly injured, three ribs and his right leg broken, while his wife caught by the falling timbers and held by them again the hot stove,  where she lay half an hour mercifully unconscious. She was finally taken out but died in great agony June 7, 1878. The barn, corn-crib, 400 bushels of oats and 150 of corn were also swept away, not an ear of the corn every being seen.
Sylvester’s house and one owned by J.G. were also raised from their foundations, while the residence of the latter was unroofed, and his barns, etc. totally wrecked. The father has not rebuilt his home, but lives with his son. J.G. Pierce, married in 1865, Angeline Woodward, who was born April 4, 1846, in Walworth Co. Wis. The family belong to the M.E. Church, Oregon, of which John Pierce was steward twenty-five years. All Republicans and non-office seekers. Ref. 1880 History of Dane County, Wisconsin, p. 1247. |
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