Mark A. Pierce
Mark A. Pierce | |
|---|---|
 Pierce in 1925 | |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 75th district | |
| In office January 5, 1925 – January 3, 1927 | |
| Preceded by | Edwin T. Baker |
| Succeeded by | George W. Rochester |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 6, 1896 Los Angeles, California, US |
| Died | April 11, 1959 (aged 63) Santa Barbara, California, US |
| Political party | Republican |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Mark Alfred Pierce (March 6, 1896 – April 11, 1959) was an American businessman, California State Assemblyman, and Los Angeles Police Commissioner.
Biography[edit]
He served overseas during World War I in the United States Army.[1][2]
In 1924 Pierce ran for Assembly as a Republican candidate and was endorsed by Ralph V. Blakeslee.[2] Pierce served in the California State Assembly from the 75th district from 1925 to 1927.[3] While in office he earned the ire of the Los Angeles Record editorial board for his vote opposing the metropolitan water district bill.[4] Pierce was defeated for re-election by George W. Rochester.
In 1935, while on a world tour, he was detained by Japanese authorities for 11 days on suspicion of being a spy, after he photographed a Japanese cruiser and fortified islands in the Strait of Shimonsheki.[5] He was allowed to stay in a hotel and go out for meals but was interrogated via interpreter for hours a day by Kobe police the rest of the time.[6]
As of 1938 he was general manager of Pierce Brothers mortuary.[7] In 1940 he was appointed to the board of directors of Chapman College.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ Vassar, Alexander C. (2011). Legislators of California (PDF). Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Assembly endorsement". The Los Angeles Times. 1924-08-25. p. 18. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ "Join California Mark A. Pierce". joincalifornia.com.
- ^ "Metropolitan Water District legislation". Los Angeles Evening Post-Record. 1926-07-26. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ "Seizure As Spy". The Los Angeles Times. 1935-05-31. p. 25. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ "O'Donnell Says". Los Angeles Evening Post-Record. 1935-05-25. p. 9. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ "The West's Largest Mortuary Enjoys 36th Anniversary". The Southwest Wave. 1938-11-22. p. 24. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ "Mark Pierce Is Names Director of Chapman College". San Fernando Valley Times. 1940-05-16. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
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