WILLIAM B. PIERSON, farmer, P. O. Iola. was born, April 7, 1842, in Orange County, Ind., and is a son of Benjamin Pierson (deceased), also a native of Orange County. Mr. Pierson came to this county in 1858, which has since been his home. He was brought up on the farm, and attended the common schools. Upon the breaking-out of the great rebellion, Mr. Pierson felt that his country needed his services, and he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-eighth Regiment Illinois Infantry, and while in the service participated in the battles of Fredericktown, Mo., Stone River, Liberty Gap, Perryville, Chickamauga and others. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Chickamauga, but was exchanged two weeks later. He came near dying from the effects of his wound, but partially recovered, and on the 25th day of February, 1864, was honorably discharged at Quincy, Ill., on which occasion Dr. M. Nicholson said his descriptive roll was the best among 10,000 that had been given at Quincy, which is a very great honor. He now draws a pension of $12 per month. Mr. Pierson was married, October 9, 1864, to Nancy A. Roberts, daughter of John Roberts (deceased), an early settler of Clay County. They have had eleven children, of whom seven are living, viz., Lou, John H., Mahulda J., David M. C., Mary A., Isaac E. and Charles F. Mr. Pierson is a member in good standing of the Odd Fellows society. He owns ninety acres of land in Sections 5 and 6.
Transcribed by Laurel White from 1884 History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois, Part IV, page 154.
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