John E. Bruce

John Eldridge Bruce (October 1, 1856 – August 17, 1924) was an American lawyer, politician, and civil servant. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives and mayor of College Hill, Ohio. Bruce became the personal attorney to Ban Johnson, the president of the American League, and Bruce served as the secretary of the National Baseball Commission from 1903 to 1920.

Early life and career Bruce was born on October 1, 1856, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Eli M. Bruce, an editor of The Plain Dealer. When he was young, the family moved to Aurora, Ohio. Bruce graduated from Western Reserve College with a Bachelor of Arts in 1876. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. After graduating, Bruce worked as a teacher and the principal of a high school in Hudson, Ohio, from 1876 to 1879. He served one term as a member of the Democratic Party during the 66th Ohio General Assembly, but the voters rejected their referendum.

Baseball While working at the Associated Press, Bruce met reporter Ban Johnson, and they became friends. Bruce was one of the first investors in the St. Louis Browns and became a director of the team.

When the National Baseball Commission was formed in the 1903 peace agreement between the AL and NL, Bruce was elected secretary and treasurer. He served in these roles on the commission until its dissolution in 1920.

In 1946, a special committee named Bruce Honor Rolls of Baseball during balloting for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Personal life Bruce married Alice Straight Knowlton on December 12, 1883. They had two children, Carolyn and Edward. Alice died in January 1922.

Bruce was hospitalized for an illness in April 1924 and suffered a stroke while recuperating in May. He died in his Cincinnati home on August 17, 1924. Bruce was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.