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Portrait and Biographical Record of Northern Michigan
Record Pub. Co., Chicago; 1895


-145-

        KENT B. PIERCE.  The family to which this well known business
     man of Manistee belongs has long been prominent in the annals of
     our country.  It has furnished a President to the nation, and
     prominent officials to many of the states.  As a rule, its members
     have been progressive, shrewd in business, discriminating in judg-
     ment, possessing talents far above the average, and being leaders
     in their places of abode.
        The PIERCE family was established in America in 1633, by THOMAS
     PIERCE, who came hither from England and settled in Charlestown,
     Mass.  From him was descended President FRANKLIN PIERCE, whose
     grandfather was a brother of the great-grandfather of our subject.
     In the early history of Manistee, FRANKLIN B. PIERCE, an uncle of
     our subject, was a pioneer and prominent man, but afterward he
     removed to Ludington, where his death occurred.  His daughter was
     the wife of the late D. L. FILER, from whom sprang the extensive
     FILER family of Manistee.  NEWTON B. PIERCE, a cousin of our sub-
     ject, is the present State Entomologist of California, and has
     published a great

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-146-

     deal of valuable information concerning his special subject.
        From the above it will be seen that for several generations
     the PIERCE family has borne an honorable part in the develop-
     ment and progress of our country.  The parents of our subject,
     GEORGE B. and MARY (BRITTON) PIERCE, were natives, respectively
     of New Hampshire and Ohio.  The father died in Pleasanton, Mani-
     stee County, Mich.  The mother, who is still living, makes her
     home in Chippewa Falls, Wis., and with her resides her younger
     son, PAUL.  Her elder daughter, Mrs. MARY BISH, also resides in
     that city.  Our subject is the second in order of birth, and his
     younger sister, Miss JESSIE, makes her home in his family.  Two
     brothers are deceased, one of whom, WINSLOW B., died at the age
     of about twenty-nine years.  He was a namesake of his uncle, the
     noted Dr. WINSLOW B. PIERCE, late of Indianapolis, who married a
     sister of THOMAS A. HENDRICKS, late Vice-President.
        The subject of this sketch was born in Independence, Ohio.,
     June 7, 1863.  His education was received in Pleasanton, Mich.,
     and in the Valparaiso (Ind.) State Normal School, where he took
     a special course in music.  On the 8th of October, 1891, he
     married Miss BESSIE, daughter of L. S. MARVIN, of Frankfort, Mich.,
     where she was born.  She was educated in that city and in Ypsilanti,
     Mich., and is an accomplished lady, being especially talented as a
     musician.
        In his political views Mr. PIERCE is a Republican.  However, he
     has little time to devote to public affairs, his attention being
     devoted mainly to his extensive business interests.  He is the pro-
     prietor of the principal music house in Manistee.  This is situated
     on River Street, and contains a full line of musical instruments and
     supplies.  He makes a specialty of the Bradbury Piano, though he
     handles an extensive line of other first-class instruments.  In
     organs he also has a large and fine assortment, including the "Mol-
     ine" and "Chicago Cottage."  Besides keeping on hand a full line
     of instruments, he also deals in sewing machines, handling, among
     others, the renowned "Standard."
        It is about thirteen years since Mr. PIERCE, in 1882, embarked
     in his present business, opening the store that he has since con-
     ducted.  During that time his reputation as a reliable dealer and
     upright man has been established among the people of the county,
     who repose the utmost confidence in his judgment and place the
     greatest reliance on his opinion, especially in matters pertain-
     ing to the profession in which he is engaged.

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