From the earliest days of settlement in Douglas county, until the present time, Mr. Pierpoint has been a leading and prominent figure both in business and in public enterprises. He is a man of strong character and consummate energy and is dominated by a spirit that brooks no defeat; which on many occasions has been demonstrated in his public career. Upright in his private walk, wise in business methods, success in every line has been his pleasant lot and it is eminently deserved.
Alfred Pierpoint was born in Jasper county, Illinois, on August 5, 1858, the son of Charles and Margaret (Rollins) Pierpoint, natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively. He was educated in the public schools of Jasper county and when seventeen, started with wagon train to Boise, Idaho. One year later, he went to Eugene, Oregon, whence in a year he returned to Illinois. He remained there until 1881 and again suffered a severe attack of the western fever which led him to take a trip through Texas, New Mexico, Old Mexico, Arizona, California, and the Willamette Valley which consumed a year. Soon thereafter, he came to Cheney then to Spokane. Thence he went to Crab Creek and wrought for a year on Biggham's stock ranch. It was in April, 1883, when the coyotes and red skins had full sway over the land where large wheat fields now stand that Mr. Pierpoint made his way to this section and took a squatter's right just one mile south from where Waterville now stands. To gain possession of the claim, he had forcibly to eject some Indians, which he promptly did. He built a cabin, the second in the county and which is still in use. Later he relinquished this claim and took another just north of it where he built a more elaborate house, which is now the property of A. L. Rogers and is still used as a dwelling. These claims, Mr. Pierpoint sold and took another squatter's right on the Columbia river which he improved and sold to Senator Helm. Then he came to his present place and took preemption, timber culture and homestead claims in due time and improved them and has also added land until he owns more than a section. The whole estate is now in a high state of cultivation and produces abundance of the cereals. The farm is supplied with comfortable dwellings, granary, large barn and other improvements. In addition to general farming, Mr. Pierpoint devotes considerable attention to stock raising and has one of the finest bands of cattle in Douglas county. He is also breeding a most excellent strain of draft horses, some of the best to be found in this part of the state.
In 1884, Mr. Pierpoint was appointed to the office of sheriff of Douglas county, by the legislature, being the first sheriff of the county. He assisted to forcibly remove the old county seat from the old town of Okanogan to Waterville and has had an many occasions sharp encounters with the Indians.
Mr. Pierpoint had one brother, Frank, who was frozen to death on February 6, 1893. The marriage of our subject and Miss Estella Gard occurred at Waterville, on October 20, 1895 and to them have been born four children, Hazel, Gladdis, Alf C., and Dick. Mrs. Pierpoint's parents are Washington and Eliza (Hand) Gard, natives of Ohio and Tennessee, respectively. She was born in California, on October 25, 1876 and has the following named brothers and sisters, Isaac, Joel R., James D., Arthur G., Mrs. Martha Kelsey and Mrs. Anna Corbaley. Mr. and Mrs. Pierpoint are well known and substantial people.
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