BIOGRAPHY: Robert Bruce Smith; Cortland, Cortland co., NY
surname: Smith, Keator, Frisbee, Preston, Cartwright

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Book of Biographies.
This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cortland
County, N.Y.
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y. 1898

     ROBERT BRUCE SMITH, a retired  merchant of the village of Cortland, N.
Y., was born January 19, 1825. He has spent most of his active life in
Cortland County, though his birthplace was at the old family home in Roxbury,
Delaware County, N. Y. Mr. Smith is a son of David, and a grandson of James
Smith, both natives of Forres, Scotland. David Smith entered this life in the
year 1769, and while yet a lad voyaged to the West Indies, and later on he
reached New York City. About the time he reached that metropolis, yellow fever
broke out there, so the boy went up into the interior of the State, and at
Roxbury found a resting place, which became from that time forward the scene
of his life's labors and successes. The active youth rapidly grew into an
industrious and thrifty young man, who before many years was able to buy a
farm and marry. His helpmeet bore the name of Jean More. Thirty-two years did
this couple live on the home farm, steadily toiling and as steadily getting on
in the world. Finally Mr. Smith traded his farm to his son-in-law for a place
near the village of Roxbury; the site of this last home is now occupied by the
Roxbury R. R. Station. Mr. Smith died at this latter location in 1860, at
ninety-one years of age; his faithful wife reached the age of eighty-two. She
was a daughter of John More, also a native of Scotland, who was the gentleman
with whom our subject's father made his home when he came into Delaware
County; his wife was Betty Taylor, also of Scotland. David Smith was first a
member of the Presbyterian denomination, but later transferred his connection
to the M. E. Church. In those early days the church meetings were held at
different private residences; David Smith was one of the leading promoters of
the movement to establish regular churches at Roxbury and at Moresville, and
he was ever active in church matters. They reared twelve children John M.;
Maria (Frisbee); Elizabeth (Keator); Anna (Frisbee); James; Cornelia
(Preston); David More; Rev. William H.; Jean (Frisbee); Jonas; Jennett; and
Robert Bruce, our subject.

     The last named was taught in the local schools and worked with his
father on the homestead. He continued agricultural duties, and in 1852
purchased the home place which he worked until 1863, at which date, he re
- moved to Cortland. Being somewhat free to locate where he wished, he took a
western trip, and in the State of Illinois got sight of a tract of land which
took his fancy. He made all the preliminary arrangements to purchase the
property and had the refusal of it when he returned to Cortland. Just at that
time his son was taken ill and died. This sad affliction changed all his
plans, and he gave up the idea of going west to live. Desiring to be busied in
some occupation, he purchased a grocery business .in Cortland, and for
eighteen years followed it with good returns. Since disposing of his interests
in the grocery line and retiring from mercantile pursuits, he has not been
regularly engaged in any line, but has spent his time in caring for his
several properties. He purchased a fine place about three miles out of
Cortland, and for a time personally supervised the working of, it, but of late
he has rented this land to a good tenant. He bought another valuable property
in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1891, which he also rents.

     Mr. Smith was united in marriage in December, 1850, to Polly Keator, a
daughter of Thomas Keator, who at that time lived in Roxbury, but who later
became a resident of Cortland County. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been the parents
of three children Thomas who married Hattie Cartwright, and has a little son,
George Robert B., Jr.; and a child,, George, the eldest, now deceased.

     In civil life Mr. Smith has always been a man of force and influence. He
was postmaster and also justice of the peace at Rox bury, before he left
Delaware County, and in Cortland has, ever been interested in affairs of
public moment. He has served on the board of trustees of the State Normal
School for twenty years, and has been a village trustee for eight years. He
was president of the village for tine term, and was elected supervisor in
1881, serving three years; was elected again in 1891, and has served continu
ously since. He has never been anything but a Republican, and is a tried
adviser in the local councils of his party. In the business world he is also
an important factor, and has been one of the directors of the First National
Bank of Cortland since its organi zation in 1868. Church matters claim a share
of his time too, for he has for thirty years been a trustee of the M. E.
Church, to which denomination he is a faithful adherent.