Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 2829United States Senate. He entered the Senate on March 5, 1877, and instantlytook rank with the leaders of that body,But his course was nearly run. Serving in the Senate, as he had alwaysdone everywhere, with the utmost fidelity, his term was but half out whenthe deadly disease of cancer fastened itself upon him. He made a patient andcourageous fight, as he had done in every other emergency of life, but all invain. Though everything was done for him that medical science could suggest and every care and kindness was thrown around him that the love of hisfamily and an army of friends could think of, he gradually failed, and passedaway at his home in Atlanta on August 16, 1882.BENJAMIN E. AND WALLACE B. PIERCE. The science of law has many ableexponents in Georgia, whose knowledge of jurisprudence and forensic abilityis of the highest order. Among the representative lawyers of Augusta whohave proved their professional worth are the Pierce Brothers, Benjamin E,and Wallace B.., who are associated together in practice. Benjamin E. Piercewas born in Columbia County, Georgia, August 10, 1881, son of John H. andMary M. (Rambo) Pierce. The father, a native of South Carolina, was rearedand educated in that state until reaching his tenth year, at which time thefamily moved to Southwestern Georgia. He subsequently became a prosperousplanter and farmer in Richmond County and was a man as widely respectedas he was well known. During the Civil war he enlisted in the First SouthCarolina Regiment of Cavalry, and served until the end of the struggle asone of General Hampton's scouts, being under the immediate command ofCaptain Triggs. His death occurred in 1913, when he was seventy-one yearsold. His wife, Mary, to whom he was married in South Carolina in 1873 isstill living and resides in Augusta, having now reached, the age of sixtyyears. Of their marriage eight -children were born, two of whom have passedaway. The survivors are.- Mrs. Katie Marks, a resident of Augusta; WallaceB. and Benjamin E., who, as already stated, are partners in the law business;John W.; and Ruby and Essie, who are unmarried.Benjamin E. Pierce, who was the third born of his parents' children, inhis boyhood attended the schools of Richmond County, subsequently becoming a pupil at Summerville Academy and Mercer University, from whichlatter institution he was graduated in 1901. In the same year he was admittedto the bar and has since, in association with his brother, Wallace, built upan excellent practice, the firm of Pierce Brothers handling a large amountof important litigation yearly.Wallace B. Pierce was born in Edgefield County, South Carolina, August29. 1879. He read law under Mr. Irvin Alexander and was admitted to thebar in December, 1901. An active member of the democratic party, he hastaken a prominent part in public affairs, and .was a member of the Legislature in 1908,-1909, 1910, 1911 and 1912. He is a candidate for the StateSenate in 1916. He is a member of the Richmond County Bar Association,also of the State Bar Association. His fraternal affiliations are with theKnights of Pythias and the Masons, his brother also belonging to the sameorders, while religiously he is a member of the Baptist Church.Benjamin E. Pierce was married January 1, 1910, to Miss Essie PearlHankinson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Hankinsou, of North Augusta, South Carolina, in which place their wedding ceremony was solemnized.They are the parents of four children, namely: Frances E., born in 1910;Dorothy Russell, horn May 17, 1912, Marian Aubry, born July 10, 1914; andBenjamin E. Pierce, Jr., born August 11, 1915.Wallace B. Pierce was married to Miss Ruby Gordon in 1908 and theyhave three children now living, Bishop, Conrad and Martha.JUDGE AUGUSTUS WARREN FITE. Forty years a member of the Georgiabar, a vigorous and constructive worker in the Legislature during the '80s, atVol. VI 4 e