Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

21 articles on this Page

Family Notices

The Late Dr. Evan Pierce.…

News
Cite
Share

The Late Dr. Evan Pierce. I Dr. Evan Pierce, of Denbigh, who had acted as coroner for West Denbighshire for the last fifty-seven years, died on Friday March 15, at his residence, Salusbury-place, in his eighty-seventh year. To Welsemen of the last half of this century few men were better known than Dr. Pierce, not only pro- fessionally, but also »S a philanthropist and public man. His great age compelled him to withdraw from public life some years a-o, but his intellect was bright and keen to the last. Dr. Pierce was born at Plas Meifod, about two miles from Denbigh. After finishing the usual course I of study at Denbigh Gra.mmar School, young Pierce was placed with Drs. lorke-Jones and Lodge, of Denbigh, to begin his career as a medical student. Thence he went successively to Edinburgh, London, and Paris Universities, and at each of these seats of learning he was successful in taking many prizes and honourable degrees in medicine. During his last year at Edinburgh University a terrible visitation of Asiatic cholera took place, causing great devastation at Portobello and ivlosel- burgh. All the doctors fled panic-stricksn. At this painful crisis the authorities appealed to the medical students of the University for assistance The appeal was not in Tain. One of the first to offer himself for this dangerous service was the young en thus: ist from the Vale of Clwyd. Once having undertaken the arduous task of combating the disease, and assuaging the sufferings of those stricken by it, young Pierce worked day and night until the plague was conquered. In 1832, broken in health and exhausted by his exertions, he returned to his home at Denbigh, only to find that the dreaded cholera and preceded him, and that all the doctors, with the exception of Dr. Yorke-Jones, had fled from the town with their families. Already one-tenth of the population of Denbigh and district had fallen victims to the cholera. His services at this eventful period will not soon be forgotten. Care- less of his own health, his unwearied efforts were the niaans of saving scores of lives. His courage re- stored the confidence of the people. ±" rom the poor he never dreamt of askinlf any recompense, and, as a matter of fact, he spent large suras out of his own pocket. The first mark of the public appreciation of hia noble conduct was the presentation to him of his portrait in oils and of life size. In 1&33, having concluded his medical studies, he settled as a doctor in Denbigh, and speedily acquired a large and lucrative practice. He founded a hospital, and in a few years spent over iEZ,000 on it. In 1848 ho was elected coroner for West Denbighshire, out of a large number of candidates. On the birth of Prince Arthur he was commissioned to select a Welsh nurse for the Prince, and he selected a Mrs Jones, of Llan- fairtalhaiarn. In 1866 Dr. Pierce was elected Mayor of Denbigh, and he filled this office for five years in suc- cession. It was through his efforts that Denbigh had the honour of appearing as the chief town of Wales on the national caskes presented to the King and Queen of the Belgians. Upon hia retirement from the office of mayor his fellow citizens determined to build. beautiful obelisk in his honour. Dr. Pierce tried hia best to get the testimonial to take the form of a scholarship atone of the Universities but failed. The obelisk is 73 feet in height, and a marble statue of Dr. Pierce is placed at the top. It was unveiled on the 23rd of November. 1876, and cost over £ 2,000. The land on which it stands had been given by Dr. Pierce free to the public as a pleasure ground. In 1881 a full-size portait of Dr Pierce was painted by Mercier, and was bought by subscribers and placed in Denbigh Council Chamber. He had also been presented with numerous addresses by grateful j patients and friendly societies. In 1882 he built a house for the Wesleyan minister of the town, and presented it to that denomination, and soon after he built a public hall, which he gave to the public. These gifts cost over £ 3,000. In 1887, he married Miss Brandon, of Brondesbnry Park, London. He was an ardent Nonconformist and Liberal, and always fought wall for his party. He was also a strong Welsh Nationalist.

!DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL.

[No title]

THE EAST BRISTOL ELECTION.…

THE WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT…

Army, Militia, and Volunteers.!

- COEDPOETH AND MINERA.

NORTH WALES MINERS' FEDERATION.

- LOCAL LAW CASE.

CHINA AND JAPAN.I

FAILURE OF A GWERSYLLT TIMBER…

RHOSLLANERCHRUGOG.-I . - -…

IHunting Appointments.-

Advertising

ROSSETT.

TRYDDYN. i

! ( ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT AT…

I OVERTON. _ hpcin I I- .-;Il…

- MANGOR-IS ycoED. Jess" I

PARISH AND DISTRICT COUNCILS.