Orville Benton Pierce
Orville Benton Pierce, wlio is engaged in the drug business at Mingo Junction, O., is a representative citizen of this busy town and is a member of an old Jefferson County family. He was born at New Alexander, Jefferson County, Ohio, October 5, 1866, and is a son of George W. and Emma (Balehelor) Pierce.
George W. Pierce, who has been postmaster at Smithtield, O., for seventeen consecutive years, was born on his father's farm in Wells Township, Jefferson County, July 31, 1837. His parents were John and Eliza Jane (Scott) Pierce. John Pierce was a native of New Jersey and came to Wells Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, among the early settlers. Although he died at the early age of thirty-six years, he had shown a large amount of business enterprise, engaging in farming to such an extent that he had flour and commodities to sell and also sold timber. He frequently made his own rafts and piloted them down the Ohio River to favorable ports. His widow survived him and subsequently married again. The children of John and Eliza Jane Pierce were: George W., father of Orville B.; John C, who resides in Florida; and Sarah, who died in infancy.
At the time of the death of his father, George W. Pierce was six years old. He was reared by his mother on the home farm and was given a collegiate education, at Cleveland. In early manhood he took a trip tlirough the far West and often recalls the great herds of buffalo that then roved over the great plains. After returning he enlisted for service in the Civil War, becoming a member of Company B. 52nd Ohio Voluntary Infantry, which was commanded by "Fighting Dan" McCook. He served in this regiment for three and one-half years and during the greater part of the time had charge of the commissary department. While on a furlough home he was married, and at the close of the war he and his wife went to New Alexandria, where he embarked in the mercantile business, which he carried on for six years. He was then proffered a position in the post oflice at Pittsburgh, which he accepted and was retained there for nine years, after which he returned to Jefferson County and was subsequently appointed postmaster at Smithfield. He married Emma Batchelor and they have had seven children: Orville Benton; Charles; John; Carrie, who married Joseph I. Reno, of Rochester, Pa.; Edith M., who married William M. Moore, of Jefferson County; Martha, who married Charles A. Cunningham, of Beaver, Pa.; and Alonzo, who died at the age of eight years.
Orville B. Pierce was quite young when his parents moved to Pittsburgh and he attended school there and later at Smithfield and completed his education at the Ohio Normal School, at Ada, O., from which institution he was recalled by the death of Dr. C. W. Clancy, of Smithfield, with whom he had been associated for several years previously in business. He took charge of Dr. Clancy's business, completed his pharmacy course and passed the State Board of Examiners, in 1892. He remained at Smithfield until 1898 and then opened a drug store at Bellaire, which he conducted for two years and then sold to Marion Huffman and in 1900 he came to Mingo Junction, at that time opening his present place of business on Commercial Street. He is an active and useful citizen, in every way showing his interest in the welfare of the town and people. In politics he is a Republican and is a member of the Mingo School Board. He is secretary of the Mingo Building and Loan Company, which has been doing business here since 1898.
Mr. Pierce was married August 18, 1898, to Miss Jessie L. Farmer, a daughter of John W. Fanner, an old resident of Jefferson County, and they have four sons: Ellis, George, Robert and Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mingo. He is identified with Lodge No. 45, F. & A. M.. of Steubenville, and with Lodge No. 808, Odd Fellows, at Mingo Junction.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910