Santa
Clara County
Biographies
MICHAEL PIERCE
For almost half a century has this pioneer
citizen of the west been a resident of California, and it may be said of him
that he has done his part in developing this great state. An expert mechanic,
the first few years of his residence in this section of the country were spent
by Mr. Pierce in blacksmithing. He was afterwards induced to purchase land in
Santa Clara county, and, turning his attention to farm pursuits, he has devoted
the subsequent years of his life to this useful occupation. He resides on a
fine grain ranch, two miles northeast of Morgan Hill, his farm containing two
hundred acres of the finest land in the vicinity.
It was in County Galway, Ireland,
that Mr. Pierce was born, seventy-two years ago, and he is a son of Michael, Sr.,
and Delia (Fahey) Pierce, both of whom spent their entire lives in the
above-named county in Ireland. His father was a blacksmith by occupation. The
education of Mr. Pierce, received in his native land, was above the ordinary,
for after leaving the common school he was sent to college. His school days
over, he became apprenticed to learn the blacksmith’s trade with his father. In
1847, being scarcely more than a youth, he left his home and immigrated to
America. In Montreal, Canada, he followed his trade for a couple of years, and
it was there that he married Miss Nellie McKey, also
of Irish nativity.
It was in 1849 that Mr. Pierce first
became a resident of the United States, and at Chicago, Ill., he continued to
follow his trade and also engaged in the manufacture of wagons. In 1856, with
his wife and three children, he came to the Pacific coast country, making the
trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama. At Sacramento he did horse-shoeing for a
stage company and was later transferred in the interests of the same company to
Folsom. Not being favorably impressed with life in California, Mr. Pierce
determined to return east, but prior to starting he came to Santa Clara county
to pay a farewell visit to his relatives, and while here he was induced to
purchase land and remain in this section, which has been his home ever since.
At that time he bought land at Lawrence Station, which he afterwards sold, and
for two years thereafter he worked at his trade in San Jose. At the close of that
time he purchased a large ranch on the Mountainview
(sic) and Saratoga roads, and this place he afterwards traded for the Hobson
ranch, which is still his home. Although advanced in years and practically
retired Mr. Pierce still oversees work on the ranch, which is operated by his
sons, and his eldest daughter, Lizzie, now Mrs. M. S. Mahlke,
a widow, resides with him. In 1896 death entered the home circle, taking the
beloved wife of Mr. Pierce, who was then sixty-eight years old. Six children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, and of these one died in infancy. The others
are Lizzie; James H., who also reside on the place; Frank E., a rancher;
William; and Nellie. The latter married J. H. Freysclag
and resides in Los Gatos, Cal. The family unite in
worshipping at the Catholic Church, of which they are devout members, and
politically Mr. Pierce is a Democrat. He is esteemed not alone from his long
residence in the vicinity, but also for his life of usefulness, having at all
times shown a spirit of progressiveness and aiding in many ways in the
upbuilding of his section.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 1321. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.