From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Fountain, Pierson
(born: March 5, 1838 - died: August 16, 1910) Pierson Fountain and his family were among the earliest settlers in Harlan, IA, and later in Douglas, IA. Pierson owned 200 acres of land in Douglas; he and his family were the only African Americans in Shelby County, IA, at the time.Pierson was a farmer whose wealth came from working the land. He was said to be one of the most influential men in the area. Born in Meade County, KY, he was the son of William and Maria Fountain, according to Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, vol. 2, by E. S. White, pp. 876-877. The family was enslaved in Kentucky; Pierson escaped to Indiana [source: The Barber and Lacey Families of Kirkman, Iowa, by D. Williams].
According to author White, Pierson Fountain left Kentucky in 1861 to move to Noblesville, IN. On May 31, 1863 he enlisted in the 55th Massachusetts Colored Infantry [source: U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, Ancestry].
After his discharge from the Army, Pierson, his wife Elizabeth Ann Roberts Fountain, and their son Augustus were living in Harlan, IA, with Charles Kidd [source: 1870 U.S. Federal Census]. Kidd was a white man, which may have played into the entire household being listed as white in the census. In addition, White did not mention in his book that Pierson Fountain was a black man. In the 1880-1910 census records, the Fountain family is listed as Black. In 1900, Charles Kidd was again living with the family and listed as white in the census.
Pierson and Elizabeth Fountain were the parents of four children: Augustus, Ida, Jessie, and Edward. Pierson was a member of the G. A. R. and the Masons.
For more see "Prominent colored man," Evening World-Herald, 8/18/1910, p. 3.