OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

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at Meadville. He met the principal, who, upon a very brief examination, found that the prospective pupil did not even know the multiplication table, but being attracted by the young man's courage, encouraged him saying they would do all they could for him. Mr. Lewis remained two terms and made rapid progress, going so far in mathematics as to master the elements of algebra. He afterwards further pursued his studies in Lewisburg academy until 1851, when, in company with others, he went to California to try his fortune as a gold miner. He remained there thirteen months, clearing three thousand dollars, and then returned to Pennsylvania, and thence again to his native heath across the Atlantic.     After his return to America, in 1853, he took a position in the pattern department of the Cambria Iron company, and has been at the head of that department ever since. To those who know of the magnitude of these works, no explanations are necessary to show the responsible nature of his position, and his long continuance in it is the strongest testimony of his efficiency.     Politically, Mr. Lewis is a republican, and held the office of councilman in Millville borough ten years, and the office of school director and treasurer continuously for a period of twenty-seven years. He has always been a staunch friend of the common schools, and has, indeed, contributed much towards bringing about the excellent schools of the present city of Johnstown.     He was married to Mrs. Phoebe J. Geer in the year 1857, and to this union has been born one child, Will. F., a draughtsman in the employ of the Cambria company. GEORGE W. PIERSON, justice of the peace and general merchant, of Dysart, Dean township, this county, is a son of Charles

A. and Mary (Hench) Pierson, and was born near Iowa city, Iowa, November 18, 1866. His father, Charles A. Pierson, was born in Saxony, Germany, and when about fourteen years old emigrated to America. He learned the trade of a tailor, and followed his trade a few years. About 1867 he located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and embarked in the mercantile business. In 1873 he removed to McGregor, Iowa, and from there removed to Mazomanie, Wisconsin. After a residence of nine years in the above place, he returned to the east, and established himself in the mercantile business in Altoona, Pennsylvania. About 1883 he removed to St. Augustine, this county, and from there located in Dysart in 1886, and opened a general store. He remained there until his death, which occurred March 10, 1895. He was a member of the German Lutheran church, and in politics belonged to the Democratic party. In connection with his store he was appointed postmaster, and held the position eight years.     He married Miss Mary Hench, a daughter of Augustine Hench, who emigrated from Germany in 1841, and located in Altoona, Pennsylvania. To their marriage nine children were born, six sons and three daughters, of whom four sons and one daughter grew to maturity: Frank, employed in the railroad service and located at Fort Worth, Texas; George W.; William, located at Dysart; Michael, a Pennsylvania railroad employee at Dysart, and Rosa at home.     George W. Pierson was educated in the common-schools at Mazomanie, and finished at the State normal at Madison, Wisconsin, and on leaving school learned the trade of a barber, which he followed several years at Chicago and St. Paul, but has made the mercantile business his principal vocation in life. He lo-

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