NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 H. G. PEIRCE Howard Gilpin Peirce, senior member of the firm of Peirce & Gamet, has been successfully engaged in the conduct of a livestock commission business in Sioux City during the past third of a century. His birth occurred at Ercildoun, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of December, 1859, his parents being Caleb and Susan (Darlington) Peirce, both of whom were natives of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and were representatives of the Quaker faith. For a considerable period the father was connected with public service and was a most patriotic and public-spirited citizen. During the period of the Civil war he served for two terms as a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, taking part in the settlement of many momentous questions which came up during that time. In the latter years of his life he was superintendent of the capitol grounds and buildings at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, occupying that position to the time of his death, which occurred in 1882. Howard G. Peirce was educated according to the religious faith of his ancestors, attending the Friends school in Philadelphia until graduated with the class of 1877. He then entered the employ of john B. Ellison & Son, jobbers of cloth and trimmings in Philadelphia - a business that was established in 1823 and still exists. He remained with the firm for about twelve years, gradually working his way upward, his energy, ability and trustworthiness winning him advancement from time to time. In the spring of 1888, however, he left the east, hoping to find still better business opportunities in the middle west. Arriving in Sioux City, Iowa he determined to continue his residence there and through the succeeding year was engaged in the real estate business. He then became a paying teller in the Union Stock Yards Bank and so remained until 1893, when the institution failed and he turned his attention to the live-stock commission business, in which he has since engaged. Success had attended his efforts in this direction and he is now senior member of Peirce & Gamet, which is one of the leading firms in this line in the city. Prior to the 7th of May, 1923, on which date he formed his present connection, he was a member of the Fitzsimmons, Peirce & Frick Live Stock Commission Company. He is thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the business, keeps in close touch with market values and by reason of his careful management has won substantial success for himself and his firm. He is also a director of the Conservative Life Insurance Company. On the 18th of September, 1890, in Sioux City, Mr. Peirce was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ely Weare, a daughter of George Weare, one of Sioux City's pioneer bankers and business men. Mr. and Mrs. Peirce became the parents of two sons and a daughter, as follows: Howard Gilpin, Jr., who passed away in October, 1918; Susanna Weare, the wife of Richard Adrain Zwemer, who was secretary and traffic manager of the Sioux City Live Stock Exchange and is now associated with the law firm of Huff & Cook, of Chicago, Illinois; and George A. Richard A. and Susanna Weare (Peirce) Zwemer have one son, Howard Adrain Zwemer. Howard G. Peirce and his wife hold membership in St. Thomas Episcopal church, of which the former has been junior warden for many years. They take an active interest in church work and are generous in their contributions to its support. In politics Mr. Peirce is a republican and he is identified with various fraternal and social organizations. He belongs to Tyrian Lodge, No. 508, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; To Sioux City Chapter, R. A. M., of which he is a past high priest; Zadok Council, R. & S. M., of which he is a past thrice illustrious master; Columbian Commandery, N. 18, K. T., of which he is a past commander, Abu-Bekr Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of which he has been illustrious potentate, and is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the T. S. Parvin Consistory, Sioux City. Mr. Peirce is at present a director of the Masonic Building Company, which has built and furnished the Abu-Bekr Temple at a cost of five hundred and fifty thousand dollars since he became a member of the board. He is likewise identified with the benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and that he possesses the qualities of leadership - ability, fairness and initiative - is indicated in the fact that he is honored with office in almost every organization with which he becomes connected. He is a charter member and past president of the Sioux City Boat Club, is a member of the Sioux City Country Club, the Knife and Fork Club, and is a past director of the Chamber of Commerce. A contemporary biographer said of him: "He is at all times public-spirited and progressive in his citizenship and, while conducting a prosperous and growing business, has always found time to cooperate in measures which are of essential value to city and state." Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/