Ornan Pierson, whose life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, is to-day numbered among the substantial citizens of Greene county, where he is occupying the position of cashier in the Greene County National Bank. He was born in Carrollton on the 17th of July, 1839, a son of David Pierson. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools and entering business life he learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. In 1858 he engaged in clerking for J.K & J.J., Sharon, well known merchants of Carrollton, with whom he remained for a year. He afterward spent one year in the employ of the firm of Wright, Rickert & Company and on the expiration of that period entered into partnership with George Wright, one of the old and well known business men of Carrollton, under the firm style of Wright & Pierson. This connection was pleasantly and successfully maintained until February, 1865, when Mr. Pierson purchased his partner?s interest and continued the business under his own name until 1871. He then sold out and went upon the road as traveling salesman for the firm of L.M. Bates & Company, of 352 Broadway, New York. He represented that house in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas for a year and then returned to Carrollton to become an employe in his father?s bank. He has since been connected with this finacial enterprise with the exception of one year, which he spent in Denver as adjuster of a large estate. In 1875 he became financially interested in the bank, which on the 1st of July, 1878, was merged into the Greene County National Bank. On the re-organization Mr. Pierson was made assistant cashier and continued to act in that capacity until 1881, when he became cashier upon the retirement of his brother Robert, who removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he engaged in the real estate business and died in the year 1887. Ornan Pierson is a popular official of the bank, always courteous and prompt in the discharge of his duties and his efforts have been an active factor in promoting the growth of this institution, which is recognized as one of the strong financial concerns of Greene county.

Mr. Pierson was married January 31, 1861, to Miss Maria Stryker, of Orange, New Jersey, a daughter of Henry Stryker, who removed from the east to Jacksonville, Illinois, 1849, and was there engaged in the dry-goods business. Mr. and Mrs. Pierson became the parents of the following named: Louise, now the wife of James McNabb, proprietor of The Gazzette and a resident of Carrollton; J.H. Pierson, who is postmaster at Carrollton; Albert L., who is filling the position of city clerk; Florence C.; and David Ornan, who died in November , 1899.

A stanch advocate of Republican principles, Mr. Pierson is recognized as one who has wielded a wide influence in political circles and in 1881 was elected to the state legislature, where he served for a term of tow years. When he became a candidate for re-election the boundaries of the district had been changed. This was due to the fact that the leaders of the opposition wished to make the district theirs. There was a strong contest, however, and it was not until the four hundred and seventy-first ballot aht Mr. Pierson was defeated. He had been offered a chance to draw straws with the successful candidae, but refused to do this. While a member of the house he was chairman on the committee of banks and banking and a member of the committee on finance, corporations and insurance. He had been president of the board of education of Caroollton for six years and has served as mayor for two terms. In political thought and action he has always been independent, carrying out his honest views without fear or favor, his intense and well directed activity in politics and financial circles having made him a leading factor in community affairs. In business he had achieved success through honorable effort, untiring industry and capable management, while his record of citizenship is irreproachable. His interest are thoroughly identified with those of Greene county and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its permanent development.

Transcribed by: Carole Ann Heller