Frank Pierce (Sharpsville, PA)
Frank Pierce (Nov. 10, 1852 – Dec. 10, 1931)
Biography
- Name: Frank Pierce
- Birth: November 10, 1852 Sharpsville, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
- Death: December 10, 1931 Sharpsville, Pennsylvania
Early life and family
Frank Pierce was born in Hickory Township, Mercer County, November 10, 1852. He was the son of Gen. James Pierce and Chloe Holbrook Pierce, and a member of a distinguished family in the history and development of Mercer County and of western Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of five sons of Gen. Pierce. Barbara Pierce Bush, wife of the 41st President, George H.W. Bush, was the Great Great Great Granddaughter of Gen. Pierce.
After leaving the public schools, Frank Pierce attended a private school in Cleveland and later the University of Michigan. When only 19 years old, he became superintendent of the Sharpsville furnace of which he later became a part owner.
On October 21, 1880, Mr. Pierce married Miss Minnie Andrews, a native of Erie, Pennsylvania.
Banking career
In 1875 he became president of the Iron Banking Company of Sharpsville, an institution his father organized in 1873.
On March 26, 1900, the Comptroller of the currency approved the application of Frank Pierce, James B. Pierce, C.E. Agnew, A. Pierce and Mary Pierce for authority to organize the Iron National Bank of Sharpsville, with capital of $50,000. This attempt to organize a national bank in Sharpsville was not successful.
On April 24, 1903, directors of the First National Bank of Sharpsville elected him president along with Peter J. Pierce, vice president; and C.E. Agnew, cashier. The business and the three-story banking house of the Iron Banking Company was assumed by the First National. It had capital stock of $80,000 and a surplus of $8,000.
Failing health compelled him to give up active business around 1927.
Other career highlights
Mr. Pierce was a staunch Democrat and in faith was allied with the Universalist church. He was engaged in the coal business for 20 years and had a large interests including part owner of the Sharpsville Railroad and of the Shenango Furnace of Sharpsville.
Later life and death
After a long illness, Frank Pierce, 79, died on December 10, 1931, in Sharpsville. Funeral services were conducted in the home with Rev. Snyder of Linesville officiating. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. He was survived by two sons, Frank W. and Thomas A., both of Sharpsville. His wife Minnie and brothers, John J., Walter and Wallace (twins), and James B., preceded him in death. In addition to his sons he left the following nephews and nieces: Mrs. W. G. Kranz of Cleveland, Attorney James A. Pierce of Detroit, Michigan, Mrs. Chloe H. Zimmerman of Youngstown, Scott Pierce of Dayton, Ohio, Mrs. Allan P. Hyde and Mrs. Nelson Brayer of Sharpsville and James B, Pierce, Jr., of Wheeling, West Virginia.
Bank Officer Summary
During his banking career, Frank Pierce was involved with the following banks:
- Iron Banking Company of Sharpsville: President 1875-1903
- First National Bank, Sharpsville, PA (Charter 6829): President 1903-1926
Sources
- Frank Pierce on Findagrave.com.
- Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://bbdata.banknotehistory.com
- The Pittsburgh Daily Gazette, Pittsburgh, PA, Fri., Apr. 11, 1873.
- Pittsburgh Dispatch, Pittsburgh, PA, Wed., Oct. 28, 1891.
- The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA, Mon., Mar. 26, 1900.
- The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA, Sat., Apr. 25, 1903.
- The Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, Wed., Apr. 29, 1903.
- The Daily Republican, Monongahela, PA, Fri., Dec. 11, 1931.
- The Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, Fri., Dec. 11, 1931.