4/3 PICKERING. FIERCE. Mr. Phipps was married in Hopeclale, in 1849, by the Rev. Adin Ballou, to Amy, daughter of Andrus and Louisa Wheelock, of Mendon. Of this union were four chil- dren : Austin Wheelock, Walter Andrews, Cora, and Fred Oscar Phipps. Mr. Phipps was a member of the board of selectmen from 1S65 to '69, from 1871 to '76, '79, '82 and '83, and road commissioner for many years, and was a member of the Legislature in 1869. He is a lineal descendant of Sir William Phipps, governor of Massachusetts in 1692. PICKERING, Edward Charles, son of Edward and Charlotte (Hammond) Pick- ering, was born in Boston, July 19, 1846. He was graduated in the civil-engineer- ing course of the Lawrence scientific school, Harvard University, 1865. During the year following he was called to be instructor of physics in the Institute of Technology, Boston. He held the full professorship from 1868 to '77. Professor Pickering devised plans for the physical laboratory in the Institute, and introduced the experimental methods of teaching physics, at a time when this mode of instruction had not been adopted else- where. His scientific work during these years consisted largely of researches in physics, chiefly the polarization of light, and the laws of its reflection and disper- sion. He also described a new form of spectrum telescope, and in 1870 invented a telephone receiver, which he publicly exhibited. He observed the total eclipse of the sun August 7, 1869, at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, with a scientific party sent for that purpose, and was a member of the United States coast survey expedition to Xeres, Spain, to observe that of December 20, 1870, having charge of the polariscope. In 1876 he was appointed professor of astronomy at Harvard, and under his man- agement its observatory has become one of the foremost in the world. His princi- pal work since he accepted this position has been the determination of the relative brightness of the stars. He has prepared a catalogue giving the brightness of more than four thousand stars. He has also made photometric measurements of Jupi- ter's satellites while they were undergoing eclipse, and also of the satellites of Mars. Professor Pickering has also devoted much time and labor to the surveying of mountains, and determining the height and velocity of clouds, the result of which has been the contribution of many papers to the Appalachian Club, of which lie was president in 1S77 and '82. He is an associate of the Royal Astro- nomical Society of London, from which he received in 1886 the gold medal for photo- metric research. He also received mem- bership in other scientific societies in the United States, Great Britain, and Europe. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, by which body he was honored in 1887 in the award of the Henry Draper Medal for his work on astronomical physics. He also received the Massachusetts Chari- table Mechanic Association Medal in 1884. In 1S76 he was elected vice-president of the American Association for the Advance- ment of Science. His scientific writings are numerous and valuable. Professor Pickering was married in Cam- bridge, March 9, 1S74, to E. W., daughter of Jared and Mary C. (Silsbee) Sparks. He has won and received four degrees : S. B., Harvard, 1865 ; A. M., Harvard, 1880 ; LL. D., University of California, 1886, and the University of Michigan, 1887. PIERCE, ANDREW G., son of Otis N. and Susan Grinnell (Cross) Pierce, was born in New Bedford, Bristol county, Au- gust 9, 1829. His early educational training was re- ceived in the public schools. He gradu- ated from the New Bedford high school. He began his business career as clerk with Edward L. Baker of New Bedford, manufacturer of oil and candles. When Mr. Baker became treasurer of the Wamsutta Mills, at the organization of the corporation, .Mr. Pierce remained with him as clerk. Mr. Pierce was married in New Bedford, July 17, 1854, to Caroline Lincoln, daugh- ter of Zachariah and Sylvia Jenney Hill- man. Of this union were six children : Edward T., Mary H., Andrew G., Jr., Louisa C, Albert R., and Elsie H. Pier, e Mr. Pierce has been a member of the New Bedford common council ; member of the board of aldermen, and was mayor of the city for two years, 1868 and '69. He was elected treasurer of the Wam- sutta Mills in 1855, and its president in 1885. He is one of the leading business men of New Bedford, and much of the manufacturing prosperity of the city is due to his energy and business sagacity. PIERCE, CHAUNCEY H., son of Chaun- cey and Flotilla (Cooley) Pierce, was born in Amherst, Hampshire county, May 16, 1848. His education was what could be obtained in a country school between the ages of four and twelve years His mother being left a widow when he was one year old, it was necessary for him to contribute to the family
