Charles H. Bruce has lived at Ashley for over a quarter of a century, and has been a man of great usefulness in that community.  He is a lawyer by profession and training, for man years was in the railroad service at Ashley and elsewhere, and is now serving the town and surrounding community effectively in the office of poastmaster.

Mr. Bruce was born in Noble County, Indiana, March 31, 1854, a son of Charles F. and Sarah A. (Hammond) Bruce.  His father was born at the head of Skaneateles Lake in New York in 1823, and his mother was born in the same year at Lockport, New York.  The paternal grandfather, Ezra Bruce, came to Noble County about 1838, after a residence in Erie, Pennsylvania, and acquired government land in Swan Township.  Ezra and his wife Susannah spent their last years in Noble County.  Charles F. Bruce was only a boy when brought to Noble County, and he grew up here, followed farming, and at one time kept the tavern in Swan Township.  He was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.  He and his wife had eight children, of whom Charles H. is the only survivor.  Two died in infancy and the others were named Edward, Alice, Anna, Luella and William.  Charles F. Bruce died in 1882, and his widow survived him and passed away at the age of eighty-three.  She lived at Kendallville, but her death occurred while visiting her son at Ashley.

Charles H. Bruce spent his boyhood on the old homestead, and after the public schools entered Oberlin College in Ohio, where he graduated in the law department.  For a number of years he ws a skillful telegraph operator, employed by the Wabash Railway Company.  He was located at various places and at different times was at Kalamazoo, Mendon and Cedar Springs in Michigan.  In 1893 he came to Ashley, where he began the practice of law, and for several years was also chief clerk in the Wabash Machine Shops.  He has been one of the leading spirits in community affairs there.  He served about six years as city clerk of Ashley, and s now serving his fifth year as postmaster.  He is a democrat in politics an is affiliated with Ashley Lodge No. 614, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Ashley Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Kendallville Commandery, Knight Templars, and also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  He an his family attend the Christian Church.

In 1882 Mr. Bruce married Miss Lyda Chittenden of Lenawee County, Michigan.  Their only daughter is Bessie, a graduate of the Ashley High School and the wife of Jay Gage of Ashley.  Mr. and Mrs. Gage have one child. Grace.

Charles H. Bruce, History of Northeast Indiana, © 1884, Vol. 2, pgs. 14-15

Charles H. Bruce, History of Northeast Indiana, © 1884, Vol. 2, pgs. 14-15