Isaiah W. Bruce, builder, was born in Claiborne County, Miss., at Port Gibson, August 22, 1839. His father, Thomas Bruce, was born in Kentucky, whither his father, John Bruce, had emigrated from Scotland. The latter was a merchant and the former a builder by occupation. After the death of her first husband the mother of our subject married Thomas Vernon, who was also a builder.

Isaiah W. accompanied his step-father to Arkansas when ten years old, and was reared in this city, and at the age of thirteen began to learn the builder's trade. During the Rebellion he served the entire time in the Confederate army. He married Miss Malvina, daughter of Asa Clark, a native of Maine, who died in May, 1882.

In September, 1884, he was married to Miss Anna Dewees, daughter of Judge William Dewees, of Culloden, Monroe Co., Ga., a highly accomplished and most estimable lady, He is the father of four sons: Thomas, an architect and graduate of the Arkansas Industrial University; Wallace, a plumber; Hoyt and Henry, who are attending school. Mr. Bruce now holds the office of superintendent of school buildings, and among the buildings he has erected are the Hotel Maine, the Merchants' Bank, and H. H. Clayton's residence. Mr. Bruce and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a K. of H. and a K. T. of Jacques D. Molay Commandery, No. 3.