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Below is a family biography included in The History of Sumner County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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F. F. Pierce, one of the most extensive stock dealers of Sumner County, and member of the firms of Pierce, Howison & Burford, and Pierce & Burford, of Gallatin, also Pierce, Lyle & Co., of Nashville, was born in 1844 in Alleghany County, Penn. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Ketchum) Pierce, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, and of English descent. The father was born near Pittsburgh in 1807, a farmer and banker. His entire life was spent in his native State, where he died in 1881. His wife died in 1877. The subject of this sketch received a good common-school education in his native county, followed by a course at Wyer’s Military Institute at Westchester, Penn. February 2, 1869, he married Miss Hannah, daughter of Perry A. Lytle, who was born in Allegheny County, Penn., in 1847. To this union three children have been born: Alvin, Elmore and Lizzie. In 1869 our subject came to Sumner County and purchased 400 acres of land in the Third District, two miles from Gallatin, on the Gallatin and Lebanon pike, and began farming and speculating. In 1882 the firm of Pierce & Burford was formed. In 1884 Pierce, Lyle & Co. was established in Nashville. They speculate in all kinds of livestock. May, 1886, the livery stable of Pierce, Howison & Burford was erected. It is made of brick and frame, 188 feet long and 48 feet wide, and cost $4,000. They have sixteen horses, ten single and four double vehicles. It is a first class stable in every particular, and is receiving a liberal patronage. Mr. Pierce takes great interest in the improvement of the stock in the county. He owns some fine stock, two Gen. Thomas, two Blackwoods and one Scott Thomas. He is a director in the Farmers’ & Traders’ Bank, and a K. of P. He is a Republican, and voted for U. S. Grant in 1868. He and his wife are actively connected with the Missionary Baptist Church, Mr. Pierce having been the Sunday-school superintendent more than a year. He is an energetic, prosperous and highly esteemed man.

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This family biography is one of 115 biographies included in The History of Sumner County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Sumner County was included within The History of Sumner, Smith, Macon & Trousdale Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Sumner, Smith, Macon and Trousdale Counties of Tennessee

View additional Sumner County, Tennessee family biographies here: Sumner County, Tennessee

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