John B. Pierce

John Bartlett Pierce (June 2, 1844 – June 23, 1917) was an American industrialist who founded the Pierce Steam Heating Company, a forerunner of the American Radiator Company.

Biography

Pierce was born June 2, 1844, in Embden, Maine.[1] His first business enterprise was a store in Buffalo, New York, acquired 1872.[2] He subsequently took on an assistant Joseph Bond, who was experienced in the installation of furnaces and stoves.[2] In 1881 Pierce and Bond founded the Pierce Steam Heating Company of Buffalo.[3]

In 1892 he merged his company with the Detroit Radiator Company and the Michigan Radiator and Iron Company to form the American Radiator Company.[4]

Pierce was married twice, but died childless on June 23, 1917. His will left company stock, valued at more than $1 million, to more than 400 friends and employees, and designated additional funds to endow a private foundation.[1]

Legacy

The John B. Pierce Foundation was established in 1924 to promote research, educational, technical or scientific work in the general field of heating, ventilation and sanitation.[1]

References
  1. "About Us", John B. Pierce Laboratory website, archived from the original on 8 March 2013
  2. Ideal Boilers & Radiators Ltd. (PDF), Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (Heritage website of)
  3. Stifler, Susan Reed (1960), The beginnings of a century of steam and water heating, H. B. Smith Co., p. 106
  4. Ingham, John N. (1983), Biographical Dictionary of American Business Leaders (V-Z), 4, Greenwood Press


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