Lucius V. Bierce

Lucius Verus Bierce (August 4, 1801 – November 11, 1876) was an American politician and military officer from Ohio. He was commander-in-chief of the Patriot forces in the Patriot War and a major in the American Civil War. He served in the Ohio Senate from 1862 to 1863 and was mayor of Akron for six terms in the mid-1800s.

Early life Lucius Verus Bierce was born on August 4, 1801, in Cornwall, Connecticut, to William Bierce. His father was a shoemaker and farmer. His father was descended from the English branch of the Norman French and his mother was descended from the Scottish branch. Following the death of his mother when he was about 15, he moved with his father to Nelson Township, Portage County, Ohio. A reward of was offered for his capture, but he never set foot on British soil again. He was indicted twice in the U.S. courts for violating neutrality laws, but the cases were dropped. He had a law practice with Charles G. Ladd and later Alvin C. Voris.

Bierce was against slavery and helped John Brown in his raid on Harpers Ferry, either through supplying money or arms. On April 13, 1863, he was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as assistant adjutant general of the United States Volunteers with the rank of major. He was ordered to Columbus, Ohio, to serve as chief of staff of the acting assistant provost marshal general.

Following the temperance movement of the 1820s, he lectured on the topic of temperance.

In 1854, Bierce wrote Historical Reminiscences of Summit County. He also translated Seneca the Younger's Morals. Bierce joined the Masons in 1826 in Ravenna. He helped establish the Washington Chapter, No. 25 in Akron. He was elected as Grand Master of Masons of Ohio in 1853. He was a member of each Grand Lodge from 1841 to his death. He donated his personal library, fossil collection, presidential autographs, and a sword captured from Major Hume to the University of Akron.

Bierce Library at the University of Akron was named after him. He donated for books for a library at the university. The library burned in a fire in 1899. In 1916, the university dedicated Carl F. Kolbe Hall and the building included a collection called the Bierce Library. That building was razed in the 1950s for a new library. A new building was built in the 1970s and was again named Bierce Library in his memory.