Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Bruce, James 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com December 3, 2007, 1:42 am

Author: Past & Present, 1907

JAMES BRUCE. On the pages of Will county's history James Bruce deserves 
especial mention, for he was the pioneer stone quarryman of this part of the 
state and instituted an industry which has been of untold importance and value 
to Will county. In fact, it has been the chief source of revenue to the county 
and Mr. Bruce deserves much credit for what he accomplished in the way of 
developing the natural resources of the county in this line. A native of 
Aberdower, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, he was born on the 11th of October, 1823. 
His early life was devoted to the millwright business in his native town and, 
attracted by the opportunities of the new world, he came to America in 1844, 
landing at Quebec, Canada, on the 10th of October of that year. It was his 
determination, however, to make his home in the United States and a few days 
later he arrived in Joliet, where he secured employment with the firm of 
Norton & Company, of Lockport, as a millwright. He remained with that house 
for a short time and afterward was employed on the Illinois and Michigan 
canal, which was then being constructed. For two years he served as foreman in 
that connection and subsequently embarked in the business of quarrying stone, 
being one of the first to become cognizant of the fact that this district 
contained rich deposits of stone. He at once began the development of a quarry 
and continued in the business up to the time of his death. In fact he was 
conducting two quarries at that time, one being at Romeo and the other at 
Drummond. He wrought along modern business lines and in the growth of the 
industry with which he was connected displayed a spirit of enterprise and 
sound judgment that proved a strong element in his success. He owned a large 
stone quarry just east of the penitentiary, which is now owned by his estate 
and operated by his son, Robert C. Bruce. He was also the owner of the land 
upon which the penitentiary has been built and sold the site for that purpose. 
James Bruce was twice married. On the 12th of July, 1852, in Homer, Illinois, 
he wedded Miss Jane Stephen, and they became the parents of three children: 
William J., a contractor living in Joliet; Belle, the wife of George Stephens 
of Milburn, Illinois; and Margaret, the wife of John A. Jamieson, of 
Marseilles. The mother died early in the '60s and later Mr. Bruce was married, 
on the 12th of December, 1868, in Joliet, to Miss Jane Stephen, a cousin of 
his former wife. There were three sons of this marriage: Eben S., who is 
engaged in the wholesale ice business in Joliet; James E., who is a grain and 
coal merchant at Marseilles, Illinois; and Robert C., a coal and stone 
merchant at Joliet, now managing the coal interests and quarries connected 
with the estate. As the years passed by the father prospered in his business 
undertakings. He possessed unabating energy and unfaltering diligence and 
steadily he worked his way upward to success, carefully utilizing the 
opportunities and the means at hand. He would never accept political honors, 
content to do public service as a private citizen. On the contrary he wished 
to devote his attention to his business affairs and in this way he acquired 
handsome industrial and commercial interests that, enabled him to leave his 
family in very comfortable circumstances. He died December 13, 1898, respected 
by all who knew him, for in every relation of life his actions were manly and 
sincere. He was reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and faithful 
in his friendships, and his memory is yet revered by many with whom he came in 
contact. 

Additional Comments:
Past and Present of Will County, Illinois, by W. W. Stevens, President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907.

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