Mrs. PIERCE is a daughter of Judge Isaac HUNTER, of New Madrid, Mo., and is related to the earliest pioneer families of Kentucky and Missouri. Her great-great-grandfather, Capt. Joseph HUNTER, who served in the Revolutionary War, came down the Ohio River with Gen. George CLARK and settled on Corn Island, opposite the present site of Louisville, Ky., taking part in the campaign that resulted in the conquest of the territory northwest of the Ohio River.
On the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory, in 1803, her great-grandfather, Joseph HUNTER, was appointed by Thomas JEFFERSON, a member of the Territorial Council of Upper Louisiana. Forty years before the Civil War, Col. Abram HUNTER, her grandfather, was a prominent politician of Southeast Missouri. Being a large slave owner, he was a pronounced Democrat of the Southern school, and took an active part in the proceedings of the Charleston Convention.
When quite young, Miss HUNTER married Hon. Rice A. PIERCE, of Union City, Tenn., who is serving his fourth term in Congress. Five children were born of this union, two of whom survive – Thomas and Rice PIERCE, Jr.
Mrs. PIERCE, when in Washington, always participates in the social functions connected with her husband’s position. She has won many friends in the capital city, and was among the invited guests to Mrs. Potter PALMERS’s grand entertainment given to a select party of Senators, Representatives, and their wives just before the opening of the Columbian Exposition. She is an expert at chess, and has painted choice bits which have received high commendation, among which are “Ophelia at the Water’s Edge” and “Angel Faces” from Henry Newman’s poem.
While in Washington, Mr. PIERCE and his family make their home at The National, and no social function at that popular hotel is considered complete unless Mrs. PIERCE is present. ”Greenlawn,” their handsomely appointed suburban home near Union City, is noted for its hospitality, and many distinguished guests are entertained there by the genial host and his charming wife.
Mrs. PIERCE has fine musical and literary taste, keeps abreast with the times, and is well posted on political questions. She is a helpmeet to her distinguished husband in the capital city and at home in every way. She is a Daughter of the American Revolution through her maternal great-great-grandfather, Colonel ROSS, who fought in the War of the Revolution, and is also eligible as a Colonial Dame. The Countess DUNHAM, of Paris, France, formerly Miss Norma CHRISTMAS, of Louisville, Ky., is a cousin of Mrs. PIERCE.
“Greenlawn” is always the home of Col. W. Jennings BRYAN on his rare visits to Union City; and he likes to discuss political issues with his hostess, who wields a trenchant blade in arguing her side, for she does not always agree with the statesman in his views.
Mrs. PIERCE keeps a carriage, and with characteristic kindness often places it at the disposal of friends less fortunate than herself, especially those who are convalescing from illness. She is a consistent member of the Catholic Church.
Source: Gilchrist, Annie S. Some Representative Women of Tennessee. Nashville: McQuiddy Print. Co, 1902.
