Willis Duff PiercyHon. Willis Duff Piercy, an author, speaker, scholar, and editor of the Daily and Weekly News of Mt. Vernon, is one of the most talented and well-known people in Jefferson County. He represents the 46th district in the Illinois state legislature. Mr.Piercy is well-liked and well-known as a man with high morals and unusual skills. His influence on the community has been strong and positive. Mr. Piercy was born on April 28, 1874, in Hamilton County, Illinois. His father was Dr. Sherwood Piercy, who was born in Jefferson County and was the son of Anderson Piercy, who was from North Carolina and was one of the first people to move to Jefferson County and help build it up. Dr. Piercy worked as a doctor in Hamilton County and then in Jefferson County. His thirty-four-year career as a doctor was very helpful. He passed away on March 21, 1906, when he was 69 years old. He was always interested in Democratic politics and was a Mason and Methodist Episcopal church member his whole life. He married Mary Mangrum, who is still alive and lives with her son, who this review is about, and her two daughters. Read More Read Less