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to Florida and there purchasing an orange
grove, and in the development of
his plantation, Magnus Pierson remained
in Florida for seven years.
In 1893 Magnus Pierson disposed of
his orange grove and left Florida. He
next resided in Chicago, and there en-
deavored to establish himself in independent
business as a baker. In 1895,
however, he returned to Cromwell, Con-
necticut, where his elder brother was then
firmly established in the nursery business,
and had become very widely known
as a rose grower. Shortly before Magnus
Pierson returned to Cromwell and
became associated with his brother in
business, his brother had lost the serv-
ices of Robert Simpson, who was reputed
to be one of the leading rose-growing
experts in the country, and this may have
influenced Magnus in closing his Chicago
bakery and joining his brother. He
worked with his brother for ten years,
but in 1904 severed the connection, and
resolved to take up the business on his
own account. At the outset he special-
ized in asparagus and garden produce,
but eventually his establishment evolved
into a floral nursery, and in all classes
of bedding plants he developed a consid-
erable and lucrative connection, the pro-
ducts of his houses and land finding
ready markets in many widely separated
parts of the United States, the output
representing many hundreds of thousands
of plants yearly. By dint of hard work
and resolute determination to succeed
despite the many disappointments he
experienced in his early years as a flori-
culturist, Mr. Pierson has made substantial
progress ; he has five acres under
tillage and glass, and permanently in his
employ are fire gardeners, besides many
more during the busy season. He has
every reason to be satisfied with the re-
sult of his industry and enterprise.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
256
Mr. Pierson resides in Cromwell, in
the old Sage homestead, which property
he purchased in 1900, and he is recognized
as one of the leading business men
of that place. He takes an active part in
town affairs. Politically he gives allegi-
ance to the Republican party ; he has
been a member of the Cromwell School
Board for twelve years, and is also a
councilman. Fraternally he is a Mason,
affiliated with Washington Lodge, No.
81, of Cromwell. He also belongs to the
Knights of Pythias, holding membership
in Myrtle Lodge, No. 161, of DeLand.
Florida.
During his residence in Florida he became
acquainted with Mary Stanley
Newnham, daughter of John and Agnes
(Stanley) Newnham, of the Isle of
Wight, England. She eventually became
his wife, the marriage being consummated
in Jacksonville, Florida, April 25, 1888.
To them have been born five children: 1.
Alice R., born August 21, 1889; married
Ralph Waldo Swetman, of Providence,
Rhode Island ; she has indicated marked
natural talent as a lecturer. 2. Margue-
rite Jessie, born October 23, 1895. 3.
Paul Newnham, born January 2, 1897. 4.
Grace Emily, born April 6, 1899. 5.
Stanley Drayton, born April 7, 1901.
Mrs. Pierson, the derivation of whose
maiden name is from the ancient Eng-
lish town of Newnham, where in all
probability early generations of her fam-
ily had residence, is a lady of strong
personality, many accomplishments, and
marked public spirit. She is prominent
socially and has interested herself in
many public movements within the community
; she is past worthy matron of
Cromwell Chapter, No. 66, Eastern Star,
and actively cooperates in the work of
the Red Cross Home Club, of which she
is a member. The family attend the
Cromwell Congregational Church.