Hal Pierce, of Junction City, Kan., successfully engaged in the real estate, insurance, loan and abstract business, was born in Junction City, Sept. 12, 1871, the son of Alfred C. and Harriett L. (Bowen) Pierce, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, in which is set forth the ancestry of the family. Mr. Pierce was educated in the public schools of Junction City, graduating in 1889. After leaving school he engaged in farming for one year and then entered his father's real estate office, in 1890, continuing to be associated with him until 1906, when he succeeded to the business. This firm has been very successful and has the largest business of any firm in the county. Besides the real estate, insurance, loan and abstract business he is associated with Dr. C. K. Raber, of Junction City, in connection with whom he organized the Rocky Ford Milling and Power Company and the Blue River Power Company. Mr. Pierce is secretary and treasurer of both companies, which furnish electric power to the city of Manhattan, Kan. He is also secretary of the Highland Cemetery Association at Junction City and has large farms and grazing landed holdings in both Oklahoma and Texas. Mr. Pierce is a Republican in his political adherency and in 1890 was elected county surveyor of Geary county, to which office he was successively reëlected five times, and which he held until 1902. Fraternally, he is associated as a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On Sept. 14, 1898, occurred the marriage of Mr. Pierce and Miss Alice M. Crawford, a daughter of the late Henry R. Crawford, a pioneer citizen of Geary county and a merchant of Junction City. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce has been born one daughter, Frances Ellen, born Feb. 16, 1901.