Rev. Caleb Alexander Bruce

The Rev. Caleb Alexander Bruce passes quietly away. The Rev. C. A. Bruce after an illness extending over several weeks passed quietly away, at the residence of his son-in-law the Messrs. Carvell, at 8:30 o’clock last evening. The death of Mr. Bruce was not unexpected, as it was conceded some weeks ago that he would not last very long. Notwithstanding his extreme age and the weakness induced by a long illness, his hold on life was remarkably tenacious.

Caleb Alexander Bruce was born in Duenesburg, New York, March 2nd, 1818, of Scotch-English parentage. He was educated for the ministry, which he entered on attaining his majority, marrying the same year. In 1840 Mr. Bruce moved to Michigan where he lived for twelve years. From Michigan he went to Indiana, which state he left for Illinois in 1853. Seven years later he came to Arkansas arriving here during the reconstruction era. Mr. Bruce’s first work in this State was at Jacksonport. He was also at Batesville for a few years.

He came to Helena just twenty years ago, and has lived here continuously, ever since. It will thus be seen that Mr. Bruce has been actively engaged in the ministry for 57 years, 20 of which were spent with the people of this section. During this long, useful and honorable career, Mr. Bruce was the prime mover in the building of six churches, all of which were planed by him, and had his personal supervision. The last of these churches was completed last year, at Forrest City. Mr. Bruce had much pride in his achievements in the ministry of Christ and there can be no doubt that he was a zealous and intelligent servant of the Master.

For the past several years, Mr. Bruce, while having his residence here was in charge of the Marianna and Forrest City churches. It was in the former place that he married, last year, Miss Hattie Dancy, who with three daughters and one son by his first marriage, survive him. His last hours were full of peace and he experienced in his death the realization of the prayer that had passed his lips so many hundreds of times, viz: that we be spared from "sudden death.". Full of years, and honor and usefulness, and surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and wife, he silently put off mortality and took on immortality.

The funeral of the Rev. C. A. Bruce was held this afternoon (Saturday, 13th) at St. John’s Church, at 1:30 o'clock. The church was filled with friends and acquaintances of the family. Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Gorman and Messrs John Gatlin, G. P. Taylor, and Ed Landvoight, of Forrest City, and Mrs. and Miss. Dunham, Mrs. McCulloch Govan and Mr. J. M. Dagget, of Marianna, came in to attend the funeral. The pall bearers were Messrs. J. C. Rembert, J. P. Pillow, W. H. Stone, P. O. Thweatt, M. L. Stephenson, and J. J. Hornor. The choir sang "Rock of Ages,” and “The Strife is O'er the Battle Done." Rev. C. H. Lockwood led the service. Beautiful spring flowers were brought by friends as mute testimonies of their sympathy for the family. When the church service was over, a number of carriages followed the hearse to Evergreen Cemetery, where all that was mortal of the Rev. C. A. Bruce was put in its last resting place. Helena World.

Just as we go to press we are pained to learn of the death of Rev. C. A. Bruce, which sad event occurred at the residence of his son-in-law Mr. Carvell, in Helena, Thursday night last. A more extended notice will be given in our next.

A memorial Page from the Records of St. Andrew's Church, Marianna, Arkansas, states that Rev. Bruce "entered into rest April 11th 1895, at Helena, Ark. Rev. Caleb Alexander Bruce, first Rector of this parish, for sixteen years our pastor, councelor, advisor, teacher, friend,..." From this it is indicated that St. Andrews was one of the churches Rev. Bruce helped to build, and from his obituary above, the church in Forrest City was the last.