Hiram College - Spider Web Yearbook (Hiram, OH)

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Hfllllll' Q. PiQl'S0ll. Arthur C. Pierson was the oldest of a family of three children His father, who had chosen the law as his profession, was of New England stock, and his mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Some time after his marriage the young lawyer, brilliant, ambitious, and full of hope, started with his wife for the West. They stopped for a time at Keosauqua, Iowa, where the subject of this sketch was born, May 20, T852- His parents continued their journey and settled at Jacksonville, Oregon, making that their home until Arthur was a lad of eight years, when his father determined to move to San Francisco. The methods of travel then in that part of the country were quite primitive and the boy was put in charge of some travelers, with whom he rode the entire distance upon a mule. He reached San Francisco early in '61, little knowing what was in store for him, for his father died in '63 and his mother in Ulanuary. '65, leaving him an orphan indeed. His mother's relatives sent for him and his two younger sisters to come to them and so in August of that same year they started on an ocean voyage for that far-off Pennsylvania home. 'When they arrived, Arthur was given a good home with an uncle. Although kindly treated. he desired to be inde- pendent and resolved to begin life for himself. Fearing, however, that his uncle might not approve'his plans, he kept his secret and when opportunity came left home without taking leave of any one. He came to Ohio and found employment with the farmers near Canton. His varied experience was a schooling that taught him the manly virtues of patience, diligence and self-reliance. As he was naturally ambitious, early in life he set his heart upon having a thorough education that his infiuence in the world and power for good might be in- creased. By the strictest economy he saved up a little sum of money which en- abled him to attend Ada Normal School, where he prepared himself for teach- ing in the public schools. Soon after leaving Ada he met Hon. S. E. Young as a fellow-teacher at Kenton, O. Mr, Young, seeing in him a young man of promise, advised him to go to Hiram College to hnish his education, which he did, beginning his study here in 1874. Before coming to Hiram he had united with the church under the preach- ing of Wfilliam Dowling and had resolved to make the ministry his life-work. lt I3

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ARTHUR CHESTER PIERSON

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was no small task for him, having to rely upon his own earnings for support, to complete a college course, but in spite of all obstacles, or perhaps by virtue of them, the coveted goal was reached in June, 1879, when he graduated with the degree of Ph. B. From the time of his graduation until his death he served his Alma Mater as teacher with the exception of one year which he gave wholly to preaching. His life was a very busy one, for with all of his duties as a college professor, and they were by no means light, he rarely passed a Sunday without preaching, a work for which he was in great demand. The common people heard him gladly and he rendered many of the weak churches near Hiram valuable service through his ministry, for he considered the needs of the congregation rather than the amount of money to be received for his work. He was also a favorite instructor and lecturer at teachers' institutes, often receiving calls for this work from other states besides his own. In the pulpit and on the platform as well as in the class-room he was helpful and inspiring. He was an honored son of his Alma Mater whom he served for many years as professor of English and Psychology, a position which he held when called from his work by death june 15, Igoo. Professor Pierson was a man of noble ambitions, high ideals and generous impulses, who was always ready to help others, and we feel that life is better and richer for having been associated with him in life's work. He knew what it was to have sorrow and trials, to do work under difficulties, for each of his first two wives died after a long sickness, and yet he made a success of life. He trusted in One that is mighty and leaned upon His strong arm So in his life there was joy with the grief and more of sunshine than of shadow. His visits to the churches week by week and his labor of love among his brethren were to him sources of great satisfaction. A firm belief in the gospel that he preached helped him over many hard places. He was a great lover of poetry especially such as touched upon the future life. Passages like the following from 'Whittier were among his favorites: Alas for him who never sees i The stars shine through his cypress trees, Who hopeless lays his dead away, Nor looks to see the breaking day Across the mournful marbles play ! I4