Hello one and all. This is a story that was shared with me by Ian Heath, about my ancestor, Samuel Milton Bruce who was the son of Charles Polke Bruce, grandson to William Bruce Jr and Sarah Polke, Great Grandson to William A. Bruce and Polly Lucas/Perciful Great, Great Grandson to James Bruce and Margaret McMahon Maximize your screen for better viewing..... SARAH ELIZABETH LAYMAN - SAMUEL MILTON BRUCE Sarah Elizabeth Layman was born August 11, 1840 In Newfield, Thompkins Co. New York.She was the fifth child of Martin and Elizabeth (Brown) Layman. She traveled with her parents and brothers and sisters to Peoria Co. Illinois and to the Minnesota Territory in 1853. Sarah met the man whom she would marry when her brothers, Charles and Isaac, brought Samuel Milton Bruce home with them when they had a furlough from the War between the States. Samuel Milton Bruce was a Confederate prisoner on parole. Sarah and Samuel were married December 18, 1862 by Rev. Manton, a minister of the First Baptist Church In Minneapolis. After the wedding and when his parole was over (about May 1863) Samuel returned South to report to his regiment and to fight until the end of the war. Sarah stayed with her parents. Sarah gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Minnehaha Angeline Bruce, on February 16, 1864. Martin Layman named his new granddaughter after the famous Minnehaha Falls. Samuel Milton Bruce was born September 9, 1828, in Ladoga Montgomery Co., Indiana, son of Charles Polk Bruce and Angeline Wright. Samuel Milton's great-grandfather, William Bruce came to America with two brothers and settled In Virginia. His father, Charles Polke Bruce, settled In Bruceville, Indiana. Charles Bruce was married twice -1st wife, Angeline Wright had three children, and by 2nd wife, Nancy Harrison, he had 10 children. Samuel Milton was reared in Bruceville, obtained a good education in public school. In 1850 he went to California to try and find gold but was called home three years later by the death of his father and stepmother. For some years he engaged In the mercantile business but his falling health caused him to find a home in the Northwest. Accordingly he came to Minnesota Territory In 1857. From Minneapolis Milton (Samuel Milton was known as 'Milton' to his family) went to Steams County with an ox cart and team. He took a claim of 160 acres of government land about 4 miles south of Sauk Centre on the Melrose Road. he built a small shanty in order to conform with the legal requirements for holding a claim, but his Interest centered In Sank Centre, a small town In the northwest corner of Steams County. Milton bought an interest in the town site company and he and William T. Dingley erected a log cabin, located on Main Street. This building served as a hotel for many years. At the first meeting of the Sauk Valley Claim Association, held July 16, 1857, Mr. Bruce was elected president. In the winner of 1858, Mr. Bruce succeeded in getting a Post office established with Moses V. Adley as postmaster. In the fall of 1858 he went back to Indiana, but returning the following spring. April 28, 1861 at the first school meeting ever held in Sauk Centre, he was elected clerk. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and by gradual promotions he became lieutenant. To give his war record, in the South, as a prisoner, on parole, and in the Indian campaign In the Northwest, would be to recapitulate the history of the Regiment up to the early part of 1863. In that year he was sent up to the Red River and Arkansas country, to recruit among the colored people. The recruits were mustered In as Company A, 112th US Colored Infantry, with Mr. Bruce as Captain. After a short service with his company, he spent nine months in the hospital, and was subsequently discharged for disability. Milton was in New Orleans on his way home when he heard about Abraham Lincoln being shot. He had bought his wife, Sarah, a lovely wool shawl, a lavender and cream plaid. He return to Minneapolis with one foot sewed up in a gunny sack and carried one arm in a sling. Sometime later that summer of 1865 John Jerome Getty came down from Sauk Centre with his covered wagon to help the Bruce's move up to their claim. Milton and Sarah loaded up the wagon with all their belongings. Martin Layman gave his daughter a young cow and an iron kettle with a ham in it. When Milton, Sarah, and their 15 month old daughter, Minnie, arrived to their claim they found that the cabin had been used by squatters and Indians and was quite dirty. Milton had to shovel out the filth before his family could move into the cabin. The cabin was one square room with a small lean-to kitchen and an attic room that could be used as a bedroom if needed. On September 9, 1866, their second daughter, Florence Belle, was born on the claim near Sauk Centre, Stearns Co. Minn. The farm was on the edge of timber and the two little girls would often see deer come out of the woods, cross the road and go to the river for a drink. They also saw wild cats that would lie along a rail on the fence back of the barn so the little girls were never allowed outside the yard which was fenced in. On the river road there were many friendly neighbors. Wilton's sister, Angeline, and her husband, Matt Thomason lived just a mile from them. Then next to them Jim Masterson, then a German family by the name of Frankburg. Mrs. Frankburg used to come down and help Sarah when the children would get sick. Nearer to town were Rose and Abner Irish, Joshua Bruce, (Milton's half-brother); and Monroe Thomason, brother of Matt Thomason. Whoever went into town at the end of the week got the mail for the neighborhood but usually the weekly paper and an occasional letter was the extent of the mail. Minnie and Belle were unable to start school at the usual time as the claim was 2 1/2 miles from the nearest school. Sarah thought that was too far for two little girls to walk with Indians, wild animals and the rough element that traveled the road. So Sarah taught the girls herself. A trip to Minneapolis was quite an event. In those early days of the 1870's, Sarah would cook and bake provisions which were packed in a box. Milton drove his family to St. Cloud in his wagon, (as the train only went north as far as St. Cloud.), it would take a day to drive the horse and wagon the 40 miles from the farm to St. Cloud. They usually camped along the way or stayed with friends in St. Cloud. The train left St. Cloud at 7am. It was a passenger and freight train that stopped at every station to take on and put off passengers and freight. It took until 11pm to reach Minneapolis. (Nowadays one can make the same trip in less than two hours.) In 1874 Milton rented out the farm and moved his family into Sauk Centre so his two daughters could go to school. They lived that first year in a small frame house just south of the Apfeld Hotel on Main Street. Minnie and Belle started school and as their mother had started their education at home they soon caught up with the other children of their own age. In 1875 Martin Layman gave each of his daughters a thousand dollars. Sarah took her money and bought a one-story frame building in which Banker Smith had a bank. It had two good size rooms. When Mr. Smith made out the deed he was not going to give her a space to come and go to her lot so she told him that he could keep it or give her a deed to the alley way which the banker eventually did. Milton opened a small grocery store in the front room and he built on two small rooms on one side for bedrooms and a small room on the west side for a dining room and long narrow room on the back for a kitchen. Later Milton bought the two lots next door and in 1881 he started to build a brick block building which became known as the Bruce Block which stood until 1947, when it was destroyed by fire. Milton moved his store in the first floor of the brick building and the family moved into the rooms on the second floor. Sarah helped in the store to save clerk hire and Minnie usually did the bookwork for her father. During the year of 1882 the school building burned and was rebuilt in 1883. In 1883 Minnie and Belle graduated from high school with a class of eight students - Minnie and Belle Bruce, Luellla Stabler, Jessie Nimer, Mame Grundman, John Shepherd,William Tubbsand Louis Lofgren. That fall Sarah took her two daughters down to Faribault, MN and enrolled them at St. Mary's Hall for a year. Minnie didn't want to be a teacher but there was a vacancy as a librarian which she applied for and got the job. The library was in the small brick building that had been the Judges' office. She held the job until her marriage in 1889. In a double wedding on December 18, 1889, Minnehaha Angeline Bruce married John Letmond Mullin and Florence Belle Bruce married George Fish. (It was also Milton and Sarah's 27th wedding anniversary.) Rev. J. F. Hamilton performed the ceremony at The Church of the Good Samaritan in Sauk Centre. Floy McMasters and Alice Dean were Minnie's attendants and Lyla Fish and Julia McMasters were Belle's attendants. Anna Van Valkenburg, Sarah's sister, was the matron of honor for both brides. After the ceremony at the Episcopal Church the reception was held at the home at the bride's parents home. Minnie and John Letmond Mullin had two children: Bruce Hamilton Mullin b.23 Nov 1890 and Arah Elizabeth Mullin b. 10 Aug 1892 in Sauk Centre, MN. Belle and George Fish had four children; Paul Bruce Fish b.7 Sep 1890; Clarence Fish b. l5 Dec 1895; Harry F. Fish b.l5 Dec 1895 (twins who both died days later); and George Milton Fish b.23 Sep 1899 in Sauk Centre, MN. In 1893, Minnie's husband, John Letmond Mullin, was killed accidentally. In preparation for a program for the Fourth of July the fire department intended to put on a trial run. So on June 30, the men got together for the trial run. The fire cart was drawn by the fireman, all taking hold. It was heavy, weighed several tons. The men were spaced so far apart. Letmond did not feel well that day but decided to go anyway. He started to run with the other men and as they ran he dropped his hold of the rope and the fire cart ran over him, took him in the chest. The doctor said he died instantly. The fire department gave Minnie a check for $50.00, which she used to buy a lot in Greenwood Cemetery. The fire department bore all the expenses of the funeral and attended to everything. But that did not fill the vacant spot in Minnie's life or give her two children back their father. Bruce was almost three years old and Arah was 10 months old when their father was killed. Samuel Milton BRUCE obituary (From Sauk Centre Newspaper) BRUCE - In this city on Sunday, Aug. 1, 1897, Samuel M. Bruce, in the 69th year of his age. "The death of Captain Samuel M. Bruce removes from the activities of life on who enjoyed in fullest measure the affectionate esteem of all who knew him, and this means much, for his circle of acquaintances was large and inclusive. One of the cheeriest and most lovable of men, his great heart and sympathetic disposition included the whole range of his fellows, from the toddling child to the aged and decrepit. For everyone he had a pleasant word, a cordial greeting, and all were impressed by his geniality. In his business relations he was punctiliously honorable and upright: as a citizen he was broad and enterprising; as a neighbor he was considerate and kind; as a friend he was staunch and true: but it was in his own family as husband and parent that he rose to his greatest height and it is in his home that he will ever live so long as any of his loved ones shall live. Their bereavement is beyond expression. His removal has left a vacancy in the community which cannot be filled, and time buy emphasize the loss. Samuel M. Bruce was born upon a farm in Ladoga, Ind. In September, 1828 and there resided until 1857, pursuing agriculture as his avocation when he removed to Minnesota, then in the early days of its territorial existence. He selected a claim of 160 acres near what is now Stuarts Bridge and lived upon it until the war. In September, 1861 he enlisted in the First Minnesota, and was soon transferred and made captain of a company of United States Infantry (colored). In 1862 he married Miss Sarah E. Layman, who survives him. At the end of the war he returned to the farm. In 1872 he moved to this city and engaged in the mercantile pursuits, which he manfully pursued until his death. His business life has been progressive. From small beginnings in a mere shanty, he went forward by well earned steps to the very handsome establishment it now is. The block of three stores on Main Street will long stand as a monument to his enterprise. Two daughters, Mrs. Mullin and Mrs. Fish, were born to him and in his grandchildren, he has lived anew his happy wedded life. He was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, as also of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has been an honored member of all, holding high official positions. He has been a representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows, and was Grand Patriarch of the Minnesota Encampment. He has also served as Department Commander of this district of the Grand Army. Since its organization he has been a director and vice-president of the First National Bank, and the success of that Institution has been his peculiar pride. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and for years a valuable member of the Church of the Good Samaritan. His funeral on Tuesday was very largely attended. Rev. J. F. Hamilton officiating at the church. The Masonic fraternity conducted the services at the grave, C. M. Sprague having its direction, the Odd Fellows lodge and Grand Army Post participating. The floral decorations were profuse and attested the affection and esteem of the contributors. (Article in Sauk Centre newspaper 29 Feb 1926 of death of Sarah E. Bruce) DEATH COMES TO RELIEF OF MRS. BRUCE WELL KNOWN RESIDENT OF THIS COMMUNITY SINCE 1865 DIES FEB.26 FUNERAL SUNDAY AT 2:30 DRESS SHE WORE WHEN MARRIED 64 YEARS AGO WAS BURIAL SHROUD .Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Layman Bruce who came to this vicinity in 1865 when her husband homesteaded a piece of land 4 1/2 miles south of Sauk Centre, passed away at the family home in this city, Friday, Feb. 26, 1926 at 5:30 AM, after an illness of nearly four years. The lady suffered five paralytic strokes, the last one occurring Feb.11th, following which, until her death, she was in an unconscious state. Sarah Elizabeth Layman was born in Newfield, Tompkins Co. New York Aug. 11, 1840, and at the time of her death was 85 years, six months and 15 days old, being one of 13 children. On Sept.16, 1862, the deceased was married to Samuel Milton Bruce, Captain of Co. A.,112th US Colored Infantry. Two children were born to this union. Minnehaha A. (Mrs. Minnie Mullin) and Florence Belle (the late Mrs. George Fish who passed in 1916.) The deceased was a member of Good Samaritan Episcopal Church since its organization. She was the organizer and the first president of St. Mary's Guild of the church and was active in its affairs as long as her health permitted. She was a charter member of Valpariso Rebecca Lodge No. 65, of Sauk Centre, and also a charter member of Naomi Chapter, order of the Eastern Star. Simple funeral services were held from the Good Samaritan Church Sunday afternoon, conducted by the rector. Rev. R. C. Crickmer. A quartet consisting of Mrs. Dewey O'Gara, Mrs. R.E. Cooper, Mr. Fay Cooper and Mr. O. W. Dowswell sang 'Nearer My God to Thee' and 'Abide With Me'. About forty members of Naomi Chapter of the Eastern Star attended in a body out of respect and love for the departed. Mrs. Bruce wore the beautiful silk gown in which she was married to Mr. Bruce 64 years ago. The immediate relatives left to mourn are one daughter, Mrs. Minnie Mullin; 4 grandchildren: Mrs. Arah Hultgren, Fergus Falls; Bruce Mullin, Olwein, Iowa; Paul Fish, Omaha, Nebr. and Milton Fish, Detroit, Minn. They are also 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Isaac Layman, of Minneapolis and Clarence Layman of Washington State and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Garvey of Minneapolis. Those from out of town attending the funeral were Mrs. Maggie Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Will Wanuch and son, Mrs. Frank Whiteley, and Ed Garvey of Minneapolis; & Mrs. Elmer Morton, St. Paul. The remains were laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery beside those of her husband. The self-sacrifice, love, and loyalty of Mrs. Minnie Mullin, the only daughter, displayed during the long illness of her mother, won the admiration of the entire community. ************************************** GENEALOGY - I'M DOING IT!!! After much deliberation And due consideration I have the inclination To look for my relation. So, with much perspiration And a lot of inspiration I'll assume the obligation To trace their emigration. I'll start with the location -- Look through every publication Listing things like embarkation, Occupation and taxation. Then, I'll hope for revelation To help me follow their migration And find proof of immigration To this blessed and great nation. Oh, what joy! What jubilation! Comes with the realization That I've found the combination That will link my generation! >Author Unknown< mailto: tuckman5@intrepid.net