In April 1879, Bruce passed the bar exam. He moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked as an assistant for the Associated Press from 1879 to 1883. He earned a Master of Arts from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University in 1884,[1] and also worked as the editor of the college news division of the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette from 1880 to 1888.[2] In 1889, he established a law partnership with Jacob H. Bromwell, which lasted until Bromwell's death in 1924.[2]
While working at the Associated Press, Bruce met reporter Ban Johnson, and they became friends.[5] Johnson became president of the newly reformed Western League, a minor baseball league, in 1894. Bruce served as his personal attorney as Johnson changed the league into the American League (AL), declaring it to be a major league, entering into conflict with the National League (NL).[8] Bruce was one of the first investors in the St. Louis Browns[9][10] 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.[3] He was succeeded as baseball's top administrator by Leslie O'Connor.[11][12]
Bruce married Alice Straight Knowlton on December 12, 1883.[5] They had two children, Carolyn and Edward.[3] Edward also became a lawyer and an assistant United States attorney, but he died of influenza in 1918.[5][14] Alice died in January 1922.[15]
Bruce was hospitalized for an illness in April 1924[16] and suffered a stroke while recuperating in May.[17] He died in his Cincinnati home on August 17, 1924.[3][18] Bruce was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.[19]