The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-04-30
..rIis End wasPeace.o

SeSSed OF warm heart, Sympathetic ma
ture, liberality of action. purity OF life,
nobility of character and disinterested-
becomes a personal bereavement to all
who knew him. Such a man was JOSH
ua III. Bruce, who departed this life on
Saturday night last, at the residence OF
his brother, Capt. S. M. Bruce, after
brief illness which had confined him to
his bed less than one week. About six
weeks prior to his death, Mr.. Bruce had
complained of stomach affection, and he
began rapidly to grow thin under the
low diet to which he was subjected, but
the serious nature OF the disease was not
then suspected. About two weeks ago
threw from his stomach a peculiar fun
gold substance which puzzled our local
physicians. and while at that time the
worst, was suspected, yetit was felt that
it would be wiser to consult other physi-
clans and, in company with DIR. Dubois,
he went to St. Paul. The case was dag
nosed as cancer of the stomach, the
worst fears of our physicians being con-
irmed. Returning to this city, aware of
the inevitable result, Mr.. Bruce set about
arranging his business affairs, as deliber-
ately and quietly as though he were as
sured of long life. He distributed his es-
tate, providing for his wife and children
as he desired and confronted fate with
cheerful bearing, withoutfear or misgiving
His every act was that of a hero. On Sun
day he was compelled to take to his bed,
the first time in forty years he ever had
been forced by sickness to suspend his or
binary avocation. From that time un-
til the end came he declined rapidly, as
tonishingly so. In health he was man
of splendid physique, powerful, elastic
and hearty, having led an equable life as
farmer, temperate and methodical of
habit. Few men had promise of longer
lease of life. He died just before midnight,
his life ebbing to its end as peacefully as
a child sinks to its slumber. 1t was a
fitting ending to remarkably we'll round-
ed life. Truly it may he said othim: Led
forth with peace"
Joshua H. Bruce was born at Ladoga,
Ind, on March 22nd. 1888, where the
first thirty years of his life was spent.
He was married at the age OF twenty-five
to Miss Sarah E. La Toilette, who sur
wives him. The fruit of this union was a
family of eight, four sons and four daugh-
tcrs, all of whom are living-wit it'll the ex-
ception of one son, Joshua H. Jr., who
died about two years ago-as follows.
Mary P, wife of David Love of Ashley;
Sarah NJ, wife of Edward L. Mantor
of Anoka; Ella E., wife of John H. Love
of Ashley: Mabel l.. aged eleven, who
lives at home; Charles r. and Wallace
farmers in Ashley, and James NJ, who
lives at home. In October 1868 Mr..
Bruce removed to Sank Centre, purchas-
ing the quarter section now owne d by O.
Marshall, on the Melrose road, which he
occupied for ten years, when he changed
with S. NJ. Beidleman for the farm in
Getty Grove, which is so famous for its
royal hospitality. 1t contains nearly
400 as fertile and handsome acres as can
be found in central Minnesota. Modest
and unassuming, thorough farmer in
theory and practice, he had little time
for anything which would divide his at
tention. Aside from holding school dis
trict and township offices, he shrank
from public life. Nevertheless in 1856,
wholly unsought, he received the nomi-
nation for the legislature from peoples
convention, and was elected without op-
position, no candidate contesting the
field with him. He served the State and
his constituency faithfully and conscien-
tlously, but peremptorily declined renom.
nation. He preferred home to the tur-
moil of legislative life. He leaves half
brother and ha lf-sister in this city, Capt.
S. M. Bruce and Mrs. ]. NJ. Thomasou,
and three brothers and two sisters in In
diana and Nebraska-one brother, John
W., was formerly a resident of this city.
To MIN flowed out the esteem and admir-
alton of all who knew him, and his men,
DRY will be revered long after his mortal
frame shall have crumbled to dust.
His funeral was held on Monday from
the Episcopal church, Rev. !. F. Hamil-
ton officiating, and the edifce was un-
able to hold nearly all who assembled to
pay final tribute to his memory The
long cortege which followed him to his
last resting place on the Odd Fellows
cemetary, more than fifty carriages be-
ing in line was procession of mourners
indeed. Fhe pall-bearers were A. H. Pet
tit, A. 6. Jacques, ]. B. Perkins, Ferd
Bergman, p, Lamb and @. Marshall, all
old and warm personal friends. His chill
dred were all present at the funeral, and
to them and the stricken partner of his
life the sympathies of the entire commun-
ity is extended in their berea vement.