William Almy PIRCE, Congress, RI (1824-1891)

PIRCE William Almy , a Representative from Rhode Island; born in Hope, Providence County, R.I., February 29, 1824; attended the common schools and Smithville Seminary (now Lapham Institute); taught school; manager of the store and countingroom of his father's cotton mill in Simmons Upper Village, R.I., for ten years; engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods 1854-1863; served in the State senate in 1855; member of the State house of representatives in 1858 and 1862; assessor of internal revenue for the second district of Rhode Island 1862-1873; appointed paymaster with rank of major in the State militia in 1863; again a member of the State house of representatives 1879-1881; again served in the State senate in 1882; delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1880; member of the Republican National Committee in 1880 and 1884; presented credentials as a Republican Member-elect to the Forty-ninth Congress and served from March 4, 1885, to January 25, 1887, when the seat was declared vacant on account of irregularities in the election; justice of the peace and assessor of taxes in Johnston, R.I.; died in Johnston, R.I., March 5, 1891; interment in Swan Point Cemetery, R.I.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present