Career
George served in a company of riflemen (2nd Massachusetts Infantry, Company I, 28. New Bedford) in 1862, when only sixteen years of age. He was an expert "shot", knew the country well, and was a very serviceable scout.
In 1864, he accompanied General Alfred Sully on an expedition against the Sioux.
He was at Forts Rice and Thompson, and was in a skirmish with the Sioux at Cannon Ball River. In September 1892 George West. Peirce bought the Golden Fleece Mine (Colorado) for $50,000 and developed it to one of the richest gold mine in Colorado.
There was reports of the death of a George West. Peirce on December 4, 1899, involved in a multiple train collision. The Omaha Daily Bee of December 5, 1899, reported six were killed but a George West. Peirce was injured rather than killed, and this was echoed by other papers.
George West. Pierce was born as the third son of Thomas Tarbell Peirce (born September 5, 1817.
Died January 8, 1875) and Lydia Jane Pratt. Four sons were born to Thomas T. and Lydia J. (Pratt) Peirce, as follows:
Henry Leeds, b. in Harrison, Maine, November 17, 1842. Married and settled in Lynde, Minnesota
Parker Illsley, b. in Harrison, Maine, November
17, 1844. George Washington, b. in Harrison, Maine, February 5, 1846. Thomas Tarbell, b. at Island Pond, Vermont, October
16, 1850. Died in Berlin, Wisconsin, November
5, 1854. George died November 3, 1938 at the Ellenson home in Seattle. The Peirce’s family grave is at the Kamiah’s Historic IOOF Cemetery.
