Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 510] NATHANIEL BRUCE, retired farmer of Cherokee, is one of the men to whose energy and industry Cherokee County owes its present state of development. He was born in England in November, 1842, and is the oldest son of GEORGE and CATHERINE BRUCE. The family emigrated to America, taking passage on a sailing vessel, which landed them in the city of New York after a voyage of eight weeks. They journeyed thence to Clinton County, Iowa. the father and mother afterward set- tled in Jones County where they lived three years; then they came to Cherokee County, and located on a farm in Pilot Township. Nathaniel had attended the schools of England and during the two winters he pursued his studies in Clinton County, Iowa. He then went to work on a farm by the month, and followed this occupation until he was married in September, 1871, to Miss ELLEN SHINTAFFER, the oldest daughter of SAMUEL and REBECCA (STRATTON) SHINTAFFER. Her father was shot by a highwayman and horse-thief at 3 o'clock in the day; he had been instrumental in bringing some of the outlaws to justice, and this was the penalty he paid. His wife removed to Kansas, where she died in 1880. After his marriage Mr. BRUCE settled in Diamond Township, Cherokee County, on a tract of fifty-five acres which he afterward sold; he then purchased another tract of 135 acres, and selling that, removed to Silver Township, where he had bought 240 acres; to this he added forty acres more, and made many excellent improvements in the way of buildings; he also brought the land to an advanced state of cultivation. He was very successful in the raising of small grains, and made most of his money in this branch of husbandry. He continued farming until 1888, when he removed to Cherokee, locating near the Fountain House, where he has a good residence with neat and comfortable surroundings. He has rented his farm in Silver Township; he commenced life without means, and has not won his present position of ease and independence without labor and economy; his first house was one twelve feet square; and in that he and his wife lived happy and content until they were able to afford something better. Mr. and Mrs. BRUCE have had born to them two children: STELLA L. and ROSELLA. ===========================================================================