Peirson, Charles Lawrence, 1834-1920.

Peirson (Harvard, S.B. 1853, A.M.[Hon.] 1898) graduated from the Lawrence Scientific School at Harvard. He entered the Civil War as first lieutenant, 20th Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry, was taken prisoner in Oct. 1861, returned to active service with the 39th Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry in Aug. 1862 as lieutenant colonel, and was promoted to colonel, then brigadier general by Mar. 1865 when he retired because of wounds and disability. He became a merchant in wholesale pig iron and coke (Stevenson & Peirson, Boston, 1865; later C. L. Peirson). He was one of the sons of Abel Lawrence Peirson, surgeon of Salem, Mass.