BIERCE, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth, journalist, born in Sweden, Maine, in 1838. Her maiden name was Holden, one well-known in New England. While a school-girl, her essays and poems attracted attention, many of them finding place in the columns of eastern journals. Her early education was received in New England. Removing to
SARAH ELIZABETH BIERCE.
Michigan, she was graduated in 1860 from Kalamazoo College. During the next six years she taught in both public and private schools. While engaged in school work, she wrote numerous plays, which were first used at entertainments given by her pupils and afterwards published, from the time of her marriage, in 1866, to her husband's death, in 1881, Mrs. Bierce wrote little for the press. In 1885 she accepted a permanent position in connection with the Cleveland "Plain Dealer," contributing stories, sketches and special articles to the Sunday issue. Her stories and sketches of home life and pioneer incidents were especially popular. While most inclined to fiction, she has written numerous letters of travel. Her descriptions of life and scenery in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah were unusually entertaining. She has given much time to the investigation of certain phases of the working-woman problem, and has also written special articles on art subjects. She is a member of the Ohio Woman's Press Association and is at present (1892) corresponding secretary of that body In 1891 she was chosen delegate to the International League of Press Clubs, formed in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Bierce is, perhaps, most widely known outside of Ohio through her efficient management of the woman's literary and journalistic department of the Ohio Centennial, held in Columbus in 1888. Through her efforts was secured a full representation of the literary women of Ohio, past and present, editors, journalists, authors and poets, scattered far and wide, sending the fruits of their work to the exposition of their native State. She has a family consisting of a daughter and two sons.