Joseph W Piercy

Joseph William Piercy

Lieutenant Joseph William Piercy was born April 12, 1838 in Cloverdale, Putnam County, Indiana to John William Piercy (1799 Bath County, Kentucky -1863 Morgan County, Indiana) and Eleanor B. Bryan Piercy (1798 Bourbon, Kentucky - 1863 Morgan County, Indiana). His parents died within one day of each other.

In the 1850 and 1860 census, Joseph is living in Jefferson, Putnam County, Indiana. He married Margaret Ann Brown January 20, 1862 in Putnam County, Indiana.

Six months later, August 20, 1862, Joseph leaves his new bride and joins the Union in the Civil War. His residency was Cloverdale, Putnam County, Indiana. He mustered in as a First Lieutenant with Company D, 97th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Lieutenant Piercy mustered out with the same rank November 11, 1862. A July 1863 military record notes that he is a druggist. Above his name is his brother, John H. Piercy, also a druggist. Corporal John H. Piercy was with 8th Battery, Indiana Light Artillery. He enlisted in July 1863 and was discharged after 4 months in November 1863.

Joseph Piercy and his wife, Margaret Ann Brown Pierce (1840 - 1929) had six children: John Piercy (1862 – 1863), Watt Brown Piercy (1865 – 1925), Nathan B. Piercy (1865 – 1880), Joseph William "Will" Piercy (1866 – 1943), Eleanor E. "Nellie" Piercy (1869 – 1892), and John Julian Piercy (1871 – 1872).

Lieutenant Joseph William Piercy died July 6, 1872 in Washington Township, Morgan County, Indiana; the cause of death being consumption (Tuberculosis). He is buried in the Cloverdale Cemetery in Cloverdale, Putnam County, Indiana. His wife, Margaret Ann Brown Piercy Major, is buried next to him.

Photograph and information submitted by Ann Swayze.

Lieutenant Joseph William Piercy