PIERCE, Frederick Clifton (purse), author, born in Worcester county, Massachusetts, 30 July, 1856. He received an academic education, was connected with the press in Massachusetts, and in 1880 removed to Illinois. He has served in the Illinois militia, and now (1888) holds the rank of colonel on the staff of Governor Richard J. Oglesby. Mr. Pierce is a member of the principal historical societies in this country, and is the author of "Pierce History and Genealogy" (Boston, 1879); "The Harwood Genealogy" (1879); "History of Barre, Massachusetts" (1880); "History of Grafton, Massachusetts" (Worcester, 1880) ; "Peirce History and Genealogy" (1880) ; "History of Rockford, Illinois" (Rockford, 1886) ; and " Pearce and Pearse Genealogy" (1888).