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Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898.  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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ROBERT BRUCE SMITH, a retired merchant of the village of Cortland, N. Y., was born January 19, 1825. He has spent most of his active life in Cortland County, though his birthplace was at the old family home in Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y. Mr. Smith is a son of David, and a grandson of James Smith, both natives of Forres, Scotland. David Smith entered this life in the year 1769, and while yet a lad voyaged to the West Indies, and later on he reached New York City. About the time he reached that metropolis, yellow fever broke out there, so the boy went up into the interior of the State, and at Roxbury found a resting place, which became from that time forward the scene of his life’s labors and successes. The active youth rapidly grew into an industrious and thrifty young man, who before many years was able to buy a farm and marry. His helpmeet bore the name of Jean More. Thirty-two years did this couple live on the home farm, steadily toiling and as steadily getting on in the world. Finally Mr. Smith traded his farm to his son-in-law for a place near the village of Roxbury; the site of this last home is now occupied by the Roxbury R. R. Station. Mr. Smith died at this latter location in 1860, at ninety-one years of age; his faithful wife reached the age of eighty-two. She was a daughter of John More, also a native of Scotland, who was the gentleman with whom our subject’s father made his home when he came into Delaware County; his wife was Betty Taylor, also of Scotland. David Smith was first a member of the Presbyterian denomination, but later transferred his connection to the M. E. Church. In those early days the church meetings were held at different private residences; David Smith was one of the leading promoters of the movement to establish regular churches at Roxbury and at Moresville, and he was ever active in church matters. They reared twelve children: — John M.; Maria (Frisbee); Elizabeth (Keator); Anna (Frisbee); James; Cornelia (Preston); David More; Rev. William H.; Jean (Frisbee); Jonas; Jennett; and Robert Bruce, our subject.

The last named was taught in the local schools and worked with his father on the homestead. He continued agricultural duties, and in 1852 purchased the home place which he worked until 1863, at which date he removed to Cortland. Being somewhat free to locate where he wished, he took a western trip, and in the State of Illinois got sight of a tract of land which took his fancy. He made all the preliminary arrangements to purchase the property, and had the refusal of it when he returned to Cortland. Just at that time his son was taken ill and died. This sad affliction changed all his plans, and he gave up the idea of going west to live. Desiring to be busied in some occupation, he purchased a grocery business in Cortland, and for eighteen years followed it with good returns. Since disposing of his interests in the grocery line and retiring from mercantile pursuits, he has not been regularly engaged in any line, but has spent his time in caring for his several properties. He purchased a fine place about three miles out of Cortland, and for a time personally supervised the working of it, but of late he has rented this land to a good tenant. He bought another valuable property in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1891, which he also rents.

Mr. Smith was united in marriage in December, 1850, to Polly Keator, a daughter of Thomas Keator, who at that time lived in Roxbury, but who later became a resident of Cortland County. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been the parents of three children: Thomas, who married Hattie Cartwright, and has a little son, George; Robert B., Jr.; and a child, George, the eldest, now deceased.

In civil life Mr. Smith has always been a man of force and influence. He was postmaster and also justice of the peace at Roxbury, before he left Delaware County, and in Cortland has ever been interested in affairs of public moment. He has served on the board of trustees of the State Normal School for twenty years, and has been a village trustee for eight years. He was president of the village for one term, and was elected supervisor in 1881, serving three years; was elected again in 1891, and has served continuously since. He has never been anything but a Republican, and is a tried adviser in the local councils of his party. In the business world he is also an important factor, and has been one of the directors of the First National Bank of Cortland since its organization in 1868. Church matters claim a share of his time too, for he has for thirty years been a trustee of the M. E. Church, to which denomination he is a faithful adherent.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898. 

View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map

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