Howard Pierce, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser in Grant Township, Dade County, Mo., was born in Greene County, N.Y., in 1828. Son of Dr. Eli and Sarah (Burgess) Pierce, Howard received a solid education, including language studies with a private tutor. In 1855, he married Mary J. Mossman in Indiana, where his family had relocated. Howard moved to Fond du Lac, Wis., in 1857, later engaging in the grain business in Milwaukee and Chicago. He settled in Dade County, Mo., in 1871 and owned a 160-acre farm. A former Whig and later a Republican, he was an active member of the A. F. & A. M. and the Old School Presbyterian Church.
Howard Pierce. Prominent among the enterprising and successful farmers and stock-raisers of Grant Township, Dade County, Mo., stands the name of Mr. Pierce, who was born in Greene County, N.Y., in 1828. His parents, Dr. Eli and Sarah (Burgess) Pierce were born in Otsego County, N.Y., and Philadelphia, respectively. They were married in New York, and in about 1844 removed to Indiana, where the mother died before the war, and where the father died about 1880. Dr. Pierce was an eminent physician for twenty-five years on the Hudson River, N.Y., but after he removed to Indiana retired from practice. He was at one time president of the New York State Medical Association. Dr. Pierce was of the old Puritan stock and was of the same family as President Pierce. Howard Pierce, the fourth of five sons and three daughters, received a good education, and studied the languages under a private tutor. He came to Indiana with his parents, and was there married in 1855 to Miss Mary J., daughter of Francis and Rheua E. Mossman, natives of Coshocton County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Mossman removed to Indiana when Mrs. Pierce was a girl, and there they still live. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were born ten children, five sons and three daughters now living. In 1857 Mr. Pierce removed to Fond du Lac, Wis., but afterward to Milwaukee, where he was engaged in the grain business there and at Chicago, until 1871, when he came to Dade County, Mo. Here he settled on prairie land near his present residence. In 1879 he settled on his present farm, which consists of 160 acres, all the result of his own industry. In politics he was formerly a Whig, casting his first presidential vote for Gen. Taylor in 1848, but at present he is a staunch Republican. He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. for thirty years, and he and his wife are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church. His grandfather, William Burgess, was born in England, as was also Mrs. Burgess, and died in Otsego County, N.Y. He raised a company, and offered his services in the War of 1812, but was not needed. He was a wealthy and influential farmer.