#97\97 Bruce, Joseph July 1923 76 KY KY KY
Nancy June 1827 72 KY VA KY
George Dec 1855 44 MO KY KY
Morgan, Mary May 1858 42 MO KY KY
Sammie Sep 188 MO VA ?
Flossie Dec 1888 ? " "
George Sep 1899 10 " "
Hamilton, Thomas Sep 1860 40 United States
I, Joseph Bruce of the County of Clay in the State of Missouri, being in my eightieth year and if I live to see next Sunday the 24th day of July I will be eighty one years old. Therefore desirious to make my will and feeling that my mind and memory are both good, I make declare and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking any and all other [will] made by me at any time heretofore.
I give, bequeath to my dear old wife Nancy Bruce all of my real estate, and all of my personal property, during her natural life.
I give to my daughter Margaret Benson, wife of Henry Benson, one dollar of my estate and no more.
widow
I give to my daughter Louisa Coleman wife of Albert Coleman, one dollar of my estate and no more.
I give bequeath and devise the remainder of my estate to my daughters Mollie Morgan, Price Kimblin, Josie Kimblin, Fannie L. Kimblin, and my sons George W. Bruce and E. K. Bruce each , equally.
I desire the appointment of Geo. W. Bruce executor.
In witness, I attach my name by mark in the [presents] of witnesses. July 20th 1904
his
Joseph X
Bruce
attest. mark
Wm. M. Courtney
W.J. Courtney
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF CLAY, RAY , CARROLL,
CHARITON AND LINN COUNTIES
Published by Chapman Bros. Chicage 1893 pg.551
"Joseph Bruce, an energetic and successful agriculturist, whose homestead is located upon section 16, township 53, range 32, Clay County, came to his present residence twenty-eight years ago,and, buying the farm of one hundred and twenty acres, all unimproved with the exception of about 15 acres, has transformed the uncultivated land into a profitable harvest field, and now owns one of the finest pieces of farming property in his section of the State. Mr. Bruce has no rememberance of either of his parents, both his father and mother dying when he was a mere infant. Thomas and Polly Richardson took the helpless little babe and reared him through early childhood. The Richardsons lived upon an farm in the heavily timbered portion of Kentucky, and from his early youth our subject had to work in the timber and in the open fields. He remained with Mr. and Mrs. Richardson until a little more than ten years of age, when the family became involved in domestic trouble, and, husband and wife separating, Joseph Bruce was again thrown upon the mercies of the wide world.
With his business abilities precociously developed by the sad circumstances of his friendless life, our subject made arrangements with a neighboring farmer, who for his work would pay him $5 per month and his board. As he grew older he received more adequate compensation, and arrived at manhood a useful and intelligent citizen. In 1847 he formed family ties, being then united in marriage with Miss Nancy Moore, a daughter of Thomas R. and Jane (Pitman) Moore. The mother of Mrs. Bruce died when her daughter Nancy was about five years of age, and the father some time after married Mrs. Frances(Guthrie) Rains, whose first husband was Mr. Swan. Immediatley succeeding his marriage Mr. Bruce rented a farm for one year, and at the expiration of twelve months rented a farm in Buchanan County, Mo. After a sojourn there of two years he cultivated land in Platte County for three years, and in 1865 came to Clay County and bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Aside from the cultivation of the soil, our subject has improved his property with substantial buildings, a commodious residence, barn and outhouses.
The pleasant and happy home has been brightened by the presence of eight children, as follows: E.K.;
Margaret, who married Henry Benson;
Louisa, the wife of Albert Coleman;
G.W.;
Mary, Mrs. Victor Morgan;
Price, Mrs. James Kimberlin;
Fannie, who married Alex Kimberlin;
and Johanna, wife of William Kimberlin.
The brothers and sisters all occupying positions of influence; and are among the useful and honored citizens of the State. Mr. Bruce is a member of the Christian Church, while his wife is a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both are ever ready to aid in the good work of either religious organization. Politically, our subject is and active democrat, and is deeply interested in local and national government."
