My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Sebastian County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Isaiah W. Bruce, builder, was born in Claiborne County, Miss., at Port Gibson, August 22, 1839. His father, Thomas Bruce, was born in Kentucky, whither his father, John Bruce, had emigrated from Scotland. The latter was a merchant and the former a builder by occupation. After the death of her first husband the mother of our subject married Thomas Vernon, who was also a builder. Isaiah W. accompanied is step-father to Arkansas when ten years old and was reared in this city, and at the age of thirteen began to learn the builder’s trade. During the Rebellion he served the entire time in the Confederate army. He married Miss Malvina, daughter of Asa Clark, a native of Maine, who died in May, 1882. In September, 1884, he was married to Miss Anna Dewees, daughter of Judge William Dewees, of Culloden, Monroe Co., Ga., a highly accomplished and most estimable lady. He is the father of four sons: Thomas, an architect and graduate of the Arkansas Industrial University; Wallace, a plumber; Hoy and Henry, who are attending school. Mr. Bruce now holds the office of superintendent of school buildings, and among the buildings he has erected are the Hotel Maine, the Merchants’ Bank, and H. H. Clayton’s residence. Mr. Bruce and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a K. of H. and a K. T. of Jacques D. Molay Commandery, No. 3.

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This family biography is one of 217 biographies included in The History of Sebastian County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Sebastian County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Sebastian County, Arkansas family biographies here: Sebastian County, Arkansas

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