Blanche Kelso Bruce was born enslaved Farmville, Virginia, on March 1, 1841 to his black mother Polly Bruce, who was also enslaved.  His father, Pettus Perkinson was his mother’s owner and the son–in–law of her deceased former owner, Lemuel Bruce. After moving to Missouri and Kansas, he landed in Mississippi to build his finances to obtain his degree at Oberlin College. After witnessing a speech by Republican gubernatorial candidate James Alcorn, he was inspired to enter politics. He worked as a sheriff, registrar of voters in Tallahassee County, the joint office of sheriff and tax collector of Bolivar County, where he served as the county superintendent of education. In a singular achievement, Bruce turned the Bolivar County school system into one of the best in the state, creating a segregated but equally funded system that boasted the support of both blacks and whites. By the mid–1870’s, Blanche K. Bruce was among the best–recognized politicians in the state. He built his wealth through land and marrying Josephine Willson- the daughter of a wealthy black Philadelphia. The Bruce’s gained remarkable power and influence that was unheard of for blacks during this time. Blanche K. Bruce made his enslaved origins a distant with his acquired wealth, fame, and influence, but also prioritized minorities in his fully served term in the U.S. Senate.

• 

• 

•