| Notes |
- Captain Thomas O. Peirce was born near Xenia, III.. July 8. 1838, and died at his home in that village April 14, 1908.
His entire life had been spent in that community except four years In the service of his country and for nearly seventy years has been closely identified with all that pertained to the best growth and best citizenship of that section.
He was a veteran of the Civil war and bore an honorable part in that terrific struggle, having enlisted in the union cause in August, 1862, and serving as captain of Co. C 111th Illinois Volunteers until Jan. 1865, when be was appointed inspecting officer of the Second Brigade of the second division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, in which capacity he served until he was mustered out in June, 1865. He was with Sherman's army in its famous march to the sea, a march made famous in song and story as well as in history, and was at the grand review in Washington when be was mustered out.
He engaged in mercantile pursuits immediately after his discharge and his name was a synonym for integrity and uprightness. By his conscientious discharge of duty and his broad minded charity be endeared himself to a huge circle of friends and neighbors, and in his death every man, woman and child in that community will feel the personal loss of a friend.
Captain Peirce was married three times, to the second union alone being born four children, two of whom died in infancy.
Nathaniel T. and Lorena, wife of Dr. Chas. Johnson of Johnsonville, survive him. His brother, J. A. Peirce and his widow, formerly Mrs. Julia Stanley, also remain to mourn his loss.
His remains were followed to their resting place in the Odd Fellows cemetery on last Thursday by a large concourse of mourning friends including all the grizzled veterans, now living, of his old company.
While never a strong; man physically, his regular and exemplary habits engage in active pursuits till long past the age at which men ordinarily drop out of the ranks of the workers. It was his earnest and oft expressed wish, that he might "die in the harness", and it in source of comfort to his friends that this wish was gratified. To this end no doubt his even temperament and sun shiny disposition largely contributed.
He was ever a doer and not a talker. Whatever his hands found to do, if it were right, it was done & done promptly and cheerfully. He bore not only his own burden, but took a peculiar delight in lightening the burdens of others. He exemplified by a pure and honorable life the teachings of the golden rule and unfailingly evincrd in his daily walk and conversation a practical piety which is the best of professions. He believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man and that he who scatters flowers in the pathway of his fellow man, who let into the dark places of life the sunshine of human sympathy and human happiness is following in tbe footsteps of the Master.
His ear was always open to the still sad music of humanity, the cry of want and the cry of unhappiness, and his response was ever eager and earnest. Like all doers of the Word, growing a little weary he stopped by the wayside for a little rest and sleep, and was awakened by the flutter of angels' wings, and the songs of the angelic choir. Like the good soldier that he was, always listening to the voice of command, and always ready to obey orders, he heard the words of the Grand Commander, "Come up higher where mortality shall be swallowed up in life," and responded with his customary alacrity, "Here am I, take me."
It falls to the lot of few men to be able to look back upon such a busy and well spent life, a life so wholly given up to the discharge of duty and to die so universally loved, mourned and revered.
Resolutions of Respect
WHEAREAS: It has been the will of Our Heavenly Father to exemplify His Devine Power over His creatures on earth, to remove from our midst, to that Eternal Lodge above, a Worthy Brother T. 0. Peirce.
AND WHEREAS: in his departure from this life his wife has lost a true husband, his children a kind father, the Lodge a worthy, member, the community an energetic citizen, and the country an able soldier.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED : that the sympathy of our members goes out in abundance to the wife and children in this their time of great sorrow.
B E IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Lodge Room be draped In mourning and the members wear the badge of sorrow for thirty days and a copy of these Resolutions be transmitted to the family of the deceased, and that the county papers be given a copy for publication and that a copy be spread on the minutes as a permanent record.
Committee: T. M. Cox,
John Croughan
H . A. Woomer.
(Southern Illinois Journal, May 1, 1908)
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1838 - 1908 (69 years)
