Pierce & Bickford was an American
architectural firm active in
Elmira, New York, from 1891 to 1932. It was formed as the partnership of architects of Joseph H. Pierce (1855-1932)[1] and Hiram H. Bickford (1864-1929), with later partner Robert T. Bickford (1894-1988).[2]
Partners and history
Joseph Hart Pierce was born September 2, 1855, in
Dundee, New York, to Herschel W. Pierce, a carpenter and builder, and Mariette (Pierce) Pierce. He attended the Dundee schools and the Starkey Seminary of
Lakemont, New York, from which he graduated in 1878. After a period as a carpenter, in 1880 he moved to Elmira where he joined the office of architect
Warren H. Hayes as a
drafter. In 1881 Hayes relocated to
Minneapolis, and Pierce purchased his Elmira practice. In 1884 he formed the firm of Pierce & Dockstader with Otis Dockstader as his partner. This was dissolved in 1890 over an ethics dispute between the partners. After an additional year of private practice, Pierce then formed the firm of Pierce & Bickford with Hiram H. Bickford.[3][4]
Hiram Hooker Bickford was born November 22, 1864, in
Barre, Vermont, to Daniel G. Bickford, also a carpenter and builder, and Cloe Marie (Hooker) Bickford. He was educated in the
Barre Academy in Vermont before joining the office of
Fitchburg, Massachusetts, architect
Henry M. Francis as a student drafter. In 1887 he moved to Elmira and was hired as a drafter by Pierce & Dockstader, becoming Pierce's partner in 1891. In 1920 the partnership was expanded to include Bickford's son, Robert T. Bickford, as junior partner. The three became equal partners in 1925. The elder Bickford died November 8, 1929, with Pierce and the younger Bickford continuing in partnership.[5] Pierce retired from the partnership effective January 1, 1932, and died August 28.[6] Robert T. Bickford practiced architecture under his own name into the 1970s, and died in 1988.
Pierce joined the
American Institute of Architects in 1889, followed by Bickford in 1893. Both served terms as president of the Central New York chapter.
^Athens Historic District NRHP Registration Form (2004)
^
abcdElmira College Old Campus NRHP Registration Form (1984)
^First Baptist Church of Painted Post NRHP Registration Form (1999)
^"Former Erwin Town Hall". Real NEX. RealNEX. Retrieved 25 May 2019. Former Erwin Town Hall was designed by Pierce & Bickford Architects. 3 story brick building with finished basement.
^
abNorth Main and West Water Commercial Historic District NRHP Registration Form (2016)
Pierce & Bickford was an American
architectural firm active in
Elmira, New York, from 1891 to 1932. It was formed as the partnership of architects of Joseph H. Pierce (1855-1932)[1] and Hiram H. Bickford (1864-1929), with later partner Robert T. Bickford (1894-1988).[2]
Partners and history
Joseph Hart Pierce was born September 2, 1855, in
Dundee, New York, to Herschel W. Pierce, a carpenter and builder, and Mariette (Pierce) Pierce. He attended the Dundee schools and the Starkey Seminary of
Lakemont, New York, from which he graduated in 1878. After a period as a carpenter, in 1880 he moved to Elmira where he joined the office of architect
Warren H. Hayes as a
drafter. In 1881 Hayes relocated to
Minneapolis, and Pierce purchased his Elmira practice. In 1884 he formed the firm of Pierce & Dockstader with Otis Dockstader as his partner. This was dissolved in 1890 over an ethics dispute between the partners. After an additional year of private practice, Pierce then formed the firm of Pierce & Bickford with Hiram H. Bickford.[3][4]
Hiram Hooker Bickford was born November 22, 1864, in
Barre, Vermont, to Daniel G. Bickford, also a carpenter and builder, and Cloe Marie (Hooker) Bickford. He was educated in the
Barre Academy in Vermont before joining the office of
Fitchburg, Massachusetts, architect
Henry M. Francis as a student drafter. In 1887 he moved to Elmira and was hired as a drafter by Pierce & Dockstader, becoming Pierce's partner in 1891. In 1920 the partnership was expanded to include Bickford's son, Robert T. Bickford, as junior partner. The three became equal partners in 1925. The elder Bickford died November 8, 1929, with Pierce and the younger Bickford continuing in partnership.[5] Pierce retired from the partnership effective January 1, 1932, and died August 28.[6] Robert T. Bickford practiced architecture under his own name into the 1970s, and died in 1988.
Pierce joined the
American Institute of Architects in 1889, followed by Bickford in 1893. Both served terms as president of the Central New York chapter.
^Athens Historic District NRHP Registration Form (2004)
^
abcdElmira College Old Campus NRHP Registration Form (1984)
^First Baptist Church of Painted Post NRHP Registration Form (1999)
^"Former Erwin Town Hall". Real NEX. RealNEX. Retrieved 25 May 2019. Former Erwin Town Hall was designed by Pierce & Bickford Architects. 3 story brick building with finished basement.
^
abNorth Main and West Water Commercial Historic District NRHP Registration Form (2016)