Rev. George W. Kierce was born in Emanuel County, Georgia August 30, 1836, the son of Rev. Wilson J. Kierce.  Later the family moved to Elba, Alabama.  His first preaching was in a school house where the town of Opp now stands.  He also held a meeting at Piney Grove.  His first pastorate was at Chapel Hill.  That church called for his ordination.  He was pastor at Clear Creek church in 1865 when the name was changed to New Hope.  Rev. Kierce left New Hope in June 1866 and went with Rev. Edward P. Rogers on preaching tours into Florida.  He became the Bethlehem Assocation Misionary in Southwest Alabama and continued to go into northwest Florida.

Rev. Kierce married Mary E. Savell of Andalusia in 1860 while serving the County as Circuit Clerk.  They had a son and a daughter.  His wife died in 1887.  In 1888 Rev. Kierce married Miss Theodosia Terry of Red. Level.  He moved to Red Level in 1900 and lived there for the rest of his life.  He died in 1918 and is buried in Fairmount Baptist Church Cemetery.

George W. Kierce enlisted April 1, 1862 in Captain Brady's Company of Alabama Volunteers, 42nd Alabama  Infantry, Company E, Baker's Brigade, Liddell's Division. Mustered in on April 5, 1862 in Greenville, Alabama at age 28. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and was eventually Captain of his own company called Kierce's Company. He was captured at the Siege of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863 but was granted a leave of absence on October 28, 1863 due to health reasons (severe vericose veins in his legs). George was also a Baptist Missionary throughout  Alabama and Florida.

The following information was provied by Homer Jones.
"Sep 26, 1864, Capt Geo W. Kierce, Co. A, Covington County Reserves (First Class) attested to a muster roll of that date; a note: Capt G.W. Kierce promoted to Maj, Wm Davis Com'd Capt Mar 2nd from Feb 15, 1865; Capt Kierce's Company was organized of those from Covington County Beats 1, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10 Aug 27, 1864; Capt Kierce's age given as 28,  Minister of the Gospel; The information ref George W. and W.J. Kierce's serving in Co A, Covington County Reserves can be found in "Early History of Covington County, Alabama, 1821-1871" by Wiley Donald Ward; some additional ref George being Postmaster, his election as Major, commanding a battalion of County Reserves;  also mentions of G.F. and W.R. Kierce; plus muster rolls for Militia officers, 1824-1862 and rolls for all county regular and reserve companies that served during the war between the states; most complete and well done history."

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