Richard P. Bruce (1909)
BRUCE, CORKEY, CUNNIGNHAM, HERREN, KEITH, KIRK, MCCLARY, SELLERS, STARK, UNDERWOOD
Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 10/29/2005 at 20:50:03
The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, October 07, 1909
Page 1, Column 4RICHARD BRUCE ANSWERS THE FINAL SUMMONS
Was Pioneer Settler and the Last Surviving Charter Member of A. F & A. M.
Richard P. Bruce, one of the very early settlers of Madison county, died early Friday morning at his home just west of the city. He had been failing for some time and his death had been anticipated for several weeks.
He was born May 15, 1818 at Lexington Kentucky and was aged 91 years, 4 months and 16 days. At the age of 17 he moved with his mother to Mt. Sterling, Illinois, where he worked in the woolen mills.
He was married to Judith Amelia Keith Jan. 28, 1841. To them were born eleven children, three sons and eight daughters. Two sons and four daughters survive the father. They are Mrs. Wm. Under wood of Washington, Mrs. T. W. Stark who lives in South Dakota, Mrs. John Herren, Mrs. S. H. Sellers, John and F. M. Bruce all of whom live in this vicinity. Mrs. Bruce died June 16, 1876 and he was again married to Elizabeth McClary who died Feburary 2, 1897.
He was one of the oldest Masons in the state of Iowa, having united with that fraternity at Mt. Sterling Illinois in 1847. In 1853 he helped organize Evening Star Lodge of Masons at Winterset and was for a number of years past, the only survivor of the charter members of that lodge.
He came to Winterset in the spring of 1850 and entered the farm west of town now owned by P. J. Cunningham. When he landed in this county, his possessions consisted of three horses, an old wagon and a few household necessities and less than one dollar in money. However he had the spirit of the early pioneers, foresaw future for the rich, undeveloped prairies, and prepared to build a home. The house that still stands on the splendid farm he improved was built from native lumber and the finished lumber hand dressed. He acquired a goodly share of this world's good but of more importance is the fact that he “lived uprightly before God and man" and no man in his community was more beloved than Uncle Dickey Bruce as he was familiarly known.
Funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon. Rev. J. S. Corkey of Winterset conducted brief services at the home and the burial services at the Gordon cemetery were conducted by the Masonic fraternity.
_______________________The Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, October 07, 1909
Page 7, Column 2Obituary
Richard P. Bruce was born in Lexington, Ky., May 1818, and died at Winterset, Ia., October 1st, 1909.
In 1835, at the age of 17, with his mother, he moved to Mt. Sterling, Ill., where he worked in a woolen mill. Here he grew to manhood and on Jan. 28, 1841, married Miss Judity Amelia Keith. To this union eleven children were born, three sons and eight daughters.
In 1850, the family, with his brother-in-law, Mr. Kirk, started for Iowa, crossing the Mississippi at Burlington. At Ottumwa he bought his brother-in-law's interest in the team and followed the trail for Des Moines, stopping on the east edge of Warren county for the winter. In the spring of 1851 he continued his journey to Des Moines with three horses and a wagon. At Des Moines he traded one horse for a load of corn and started for Winterset where he arrived with less than one dollar in his pocket.
His wife Judith Amelia Bruce, died June 16th, 1876, and was buried in the Gordon cemetery four miles southwest of Winterset. Aug. 11, 1879, he was again married to Miss Elizabeth McCleary, who died several years ago.
He was a charter member of the Evening Star Lodge, No. 43 A. F. & A. M., which was organized Aug. 12, 1853. For 61 years he has been a member of this order and was always active in its promotion and upbuilding. He was the last living charter member.
He was one of the pioneers of this community. For more than half a century he made his home here-fifty eight years ago he first looked upon these scenes and since then he has labored among you.
This country owes more to its pioneers than it will ever realize. They endured hardships. They sacrificed for the sake of others. They were made of the stuff that martyrs are made of. They opened up this country to civilization and made possible the blessings which we enjoy. They were a sturdy race and many of them lived long past the allotted three score years and ten. They had few luxuries and were often hard pressed for necessities, but no one ever went away hungry from their door. Generous to a fault, cheerful, making the best of everything. They gave a tone and spirit to this country which it will never get over. All honor to the pioneers of Iowa, but few of them are left.
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Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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