John William Smith Pierson was born in Pittsford, Monroe County, New York on July 20, 1854 to Job and Clarissa Pierson. In 1863, as a young boy, the family moved west and settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan. By 1870, John was an apprentice in the tin shop of Lovell Brothers and Greenville, Michigan, about 70 miles north of Kalamazoo.

Along with his brother, Philip T.H. Pierson, John opened John W.S. Pierson and Company, in the fall of 1876. The shop, located on Main Street in Stanton, Michigan, offered tin, copper and sheet iron work, as well as pipe fitting and plumbing repairs "of all kinds." In 1908, John left the tin shop business to pursue the sale of Security Investments with his brother Philip.

In addition to his long career in various business ventures, Pierson served as a trustee at Alma College and the First Congregational Church of Stanton.

John's grandfather, Job Pierson (1791-1860), served in Congress as a member of the House of Representatives for the 9th District of New York from 1831-1835).

John W.S. Pierson died on December 13, 1946.