Potter Kansan, 27 April 1910, page 1, columns 3 & 4
One of Potter's First Residents
L.M. Jewell, the retired merchant of Potter, began this week to tear down his old residence for the purpose of erecting a new one on its site. This house is one of the landmarks of Potter -- the third building erected in the town.
It was built by Mrs. Elzira Pierce, who is now living with her granddaughter, Miss Georgie Shaw, at the age of 80 years. Mrs. Pierce kept a boarding house in this house for twelve years.
She is one of the pioneers of this section. She came with her parents to Platte county, Mo., in 1838. Here she grew to womanhood and married Henry Nelson. One child was born to them, the late Mrs. Martha Shaw, wife of Henry Shaw, and mother of Mrs. Robert Bishop, Mrs Samuel Ellerman, Mrs. L.M. Jewell, Mrs. Herman Jewell, B.F. Shaw and Miss Georgie Shaw. Soon afterwards Mr. Nelson was thrown from a horse and instantly killed.
In 1855[sic, 1852] Mrs. Nelson was married to Elijah Pierce of Platte county, and they came to Kansas that year, settling on what is now the Highfill farm near Potter. Two children were born to them. One died in infancy, and the other, Miss Sinnie Pierce, grew up and married Ben Shaw, a brother of Henry Shaw. In June 1875 she was struck by lightning and killed. Mr. Pierce died of cholera in the late '50s.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Pierce lived with her parents, who occupied the Bedwell farm, now owned by Leon Calhoun, later moving to Potter.
Several years ago she fell and sustained injuries which compel her to use a crutch. Death has been a frequent and a sudden visitor in her home. Her life, in this aspect, presents a striking contrast to that of her old neighbor the late Mrs. Joseph Potter. With the exception of a child that died in infancy, Mrs. Potter did not have a death in her family during a married life of nearly sixty years. Mrs. Pierce, on the other hand, has buried two husbands and all of her children.
-- Geo Remsburg, in Globe
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