John Williams Smith Pierson was born in New York in 1854 and came to Michigan in 1863 settling with his family in Kalamazoo. In 1870 he went to Greenville where he entered the employ of Lovell Brothers & Green, working as an apprentice in their tin shop for three years and then worked as a hardware salesman until 1876. In November of 1876, assisted by his brother, Philip T.H. Pierson, they opened a hardware and stove store in Stanton on East Main Street. Their business grew and survived through 2 devastating fires in 1880 and 1885. In 1886 a new building opened under the name of John W.S. Pierson & Company and in 1901 they celebrated their silver anniversary. In 1908 Mr. Pierson left the business to give more attention to other business interests and in 1911 he formed a partnership with his brother, Philip, and Levi Hunsicker dealing with investment securities. Mr. Pierson was also interested in the civic, social and religious interests of the city. He served as alderman in the 1st ward for 1882-1883, trustee of the city schools for sixteen years, 1894-1910, and treasurer of the school board for 10 years being treasurer during the erection of the new school house in 1905. He was also trustee of the First Congregational Church and also served as Clerk of that church in 1909. His interest in education did not stop in his home town; he served as trustee of Alma College for a number of years. He married the former Clara Eleanor Dillingham at Coldwater in 1894. They had one son, John Lincoln, who died as a child and was buried in the family plot in New York. They adopted two sons, Harold Dillingham and John Howard.

     Clara Dillingham was the Superintendent of the Training Department of Alma College and was a frequent quest of John's parents, Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Job Pierson. Clara, who could trace her ancestors back to Abraham Lincoln, was also the author of a large number of children's books, some of which were: Three Little Millers, The Millers and Their New Home, Among the Forest People, Among the Farm Yard People, Among the Night People, Among the Pond People, Dooryard Stories, Plow Stories, The Millers at Pencroft and The Millers and Their Playmates. Pencroft was the name of their summer home at Omena, MI. It was named Pencroft because Mrs. Pierson bought the house with the money earned solely with her "pen". Clara was also ranked as one of the leading naturalist authors of her day. Mrs. John Hondema, granddaughter of the Pierson's, described her grandparents in this way, "Grandfather was a good man, he turned the money he made into good for his friends and neighbors. His wife loved nature so much she would tiptoe into the kitchen late at night to feed mice that came into her house and would even coax them with bits of cheese."

     The home was built in 1904 and the original blueprints are in the possession of Trinity church. The home features four large Georgian pillars on the front portico. Upon entering the front door you enter a beautiful foyer where the curved stairway is located. To the north in the foyer, through pocket doors, is the library and across the foyer to the south, also through pocket doors, is the living room. Both of these beautiful rooms feature large fireplaces. From the living room to the east was a bedchamber and bath. Space for a dumb waiter was also on the original sketches of the home. There were two sun porches, one on each side of the home. The dining room was located at the back of the house and featured oak wainscoting and two built-in corner cabinets of oak. A large rear window in the dining room was of leaded glass. Adjacent to the dining area was a kitchen and butler's pantry and a second stairway leading to the upper levels. The second floor had three bedrooms, bath and a servant's room. There was also a room located at the back of the upper floor called the paper room; no doubt used by Mrs. Pierson in the writing of her books. The area surrounding the top of the stairs was open and large arches bordered by stair railing formed the "walls". Saginaw brick was used for the walks in the front, back and garden walk areas. The major portion of the windows in the building were made of plate glass. The third floor attic was large enough to be a massive room all of its own. Most of the woodwork throughout the home is chestnut and painted but its design is truly a highlight of the home. The home was designed by Mr. and Mrs. Pierson themselves and was built by William Evans.

     This later became the home of Circuit Judge and Mrs. Morris K. Davis and in 1952 it was sold for $20,000.00 to Trinity Bible Church, who owns it today. Some changes have been made to the house to accommodate the church. The dining room has been removed and was replaced with a sanctuary in 1956. The upper floor was used as a parsonage for several years and the big open stairway was enclosed for this purpose. However, the large, decorative arches are still visible. The sun porches have been removed and replaced by church offices and the parsonage kitchen

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