The Russell Families of Portage County, Ohio

LUTHEK RUSSELL (deceased) born November 9, 1801, in West Windsor, Conn., was descended from William Russell, who early emigrated from England. His father, Return Russell, was born in West Windsor, Conn., March 1, 1778. Hisraothex, Jerusha (Osborn) Russell, was born December 20, 1780, in Connecticut. They left their Connecticut homeAvhen our subject was a child and settled in Rodman, Jefferson Co., N. Y., whence they removed to Ohio in 1822. They soon joined the Shaker Society near Cleveland and here lived, died and were buried. Luther, the eldest of eleven children, remained in Rodman to settle up his father's business. The children were very fond of their father, who, physically, was large and well developed. He was genial, intelligent and agreeable. He died October 5, 1834. They also reverence their gentle and loving mother, who died March 23, 1854, having lived a life of self-sacrifice. Of the members of the family who joined the Shakers only two remain with the Society, the other members of the family living in different States, excepting Mrs. Nelson Phillips, of Cleveland, and Samuel S. Russell, of Mantua. The latter was born May 14, 1807, and September 15, 1840, he was chosen by the Shaker Society Presiding Elder, which position he filled satisfactorily until August 19, 1858, when he withdrew, leaving a prosperous membership of about 200. The interest he still maintains and the affection and confidence the Society has in him, are manifested by the many pressing invitations to return. In 1867 he became a resident of Mantua, where he still survives, a worthy and respected citizen. His estimable wife died December 26, 1883. In June. 1823, Luther Russell came to Ohio and March 13, 1828, he was married to Polly Russell, of Aurora Township, Portage Co., Ohio, born March 25, 1806, in Chester, Mass., daughter of Samuel Russell, born January 14, 1781, in West Windsor, Conn., and Hepsabeth (Ellsworth) Russell, born August 30, 1785. Her parents came to Aurora Township, this county, in 1811, after a long and toilsome journey on foot, horseback and in cart, and they were soon settled and contented in their new home in the Western Reserve. Here they died, the father June 8, 1863, and the mother February 6, 1837. In 1830 Luiher, with his wife, located on a farm in Streetsboro Township, this county, where they lived, toiled and endured such hardships as befall the early settlers of a new country, and in after years they took pleasure in relating to their children many incidents of pioneer life. In his early life our subject was deprived of elaborate educational advantages, but during his mature years he devoted considerable time to study. In politics he was a life-long Democrat, and took a deep interest in public affairs. In ] 845-46 he represented the county in the State Legislature. For many years he filled the office of Justice of the Peace, acceptably not only to his own political party, but to his entire township. In all his acts he aimed to be true to his convictions of truth and right. Not finding satisfaction in the orthodox faith, he espoused the cause of Spiritualism and was firm in the belief that this life would continue after death. Happy in this belief he died August 5, 1878, after an illness of fourteen months, during which he received the most devoted care at the hands of his family. His children were Martin L., born December 29, 1829, died July 2, 1855; Cynthia M., born May 22, 1832, died December 25, 1834; Sarah E.. born June 3, 1834; Marion B., born November 10, 1837, died January 18, 1879; Helen M., born November 16, 1841, married to Johnson J. Sadler, both deceased, former November 28, 1881, latter May 19, 1882 (their daughter Nellie Agnes, born September 24, 1874, now resides with her grandmother, the widow of Luther Russell). Chester N., son of Newell Russell, was another orphan who found a home with Mr. Bussell. He was brought from Quincy, Ill., April 28, 1864, at the age of nine years. His father served in the late war and at the death of the mother, Laura Lola and Charles H. were brought to the same happy home of their brother — Chester N. Laura Lola married Walter A. Folger, of Akron, Ohio. Her sister Agnes V. is now Mrs. J. H. Seaton, residing in Omaha, Neb., and her eldest brother, Frank P., is a physician in Suffield Township, this county. A portrait of Luther Russell will be found elsewhere in this volume.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SAMUEL S. RUSSELL, retired coal dealer, Mautua, was born May 14, 1807, in Jeflerson County, N. Y.; son of Return and (Jei-usha) Osborn Russell, natives of West Windsor, Conn., who removed to New York at an early day, thence to near Cleveland, in Warnersville Township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, in 1822, where they lived and died. They were parents of eleven children, seven of whom are still living: Edward A.; Samuel S.; Rachel A. (a maiden lady residing with the society of Shakers); Robert E., in Iowa; Mary A. (Mrs. Philips), in Glenville; William H., in California; Sanford H. (a widower). Our subject was married April 1, 1860, to Adeline H., daughter of Elijah Russell, who died December 26, 1883, without issue. Mr. Russell was formerly a Shaker, and filled all the prominent offices in that society. He resided for a time in Wisconsin, where he was Justice of the Peace, but removed to this county in 1866, and is now one of the leading citizens of Mantua. He has an adopted son, George S. Russell, a photographer, married to Lovetta Kyle, by whom he has two children. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr. Russell served three years in the army, after which he engaged in mining in the Western Territories and died at Denver, Colo., November 5, 1874. Hia wife died at Quincy, Ill., July 29, 1867. leaving the following children: F. P.; Chester N., in Streetsboro, this county, Ohio; AgneeY. (Diba. Seaton), Omaha; Lola L. born. Folgor). of Akron, Ohio, and Chnrleh Henry, of Streetsboro, Ohio. Our subject came to this county when fifteen years of age, and in 1877 begun the study of medicine under Dr. Belden, of Ravenna, taking the degree of M. D. at the University of Wooater, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1880. After practicing nearly two years in Streetsboro, this county, he, in December, 1881, located at Snffield, this county, where he has built up for himself a large and influential practice.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

EDWARD A. RUSSELL, farmer, P. O. Brimfield, was born in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus Co., K Y., July 21, 1818; son of Edward and Love (Spencer) Russell, theformer of whom, a native of Washington County, N. Y., died at our subject's residence in December, 1883, aged ninety-two years; the latter, a native of Rupert, Bennington Co., Vt., died on the old homestead in Brimfield Township, this county, in 1845. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Capt. William Russell, a son of Ebenezer Russell, a native of Branford, Conn., whose ancestors settled there in 1660. He was the first Treasurer of Washington County, N. Y., and held the office for fifty consecutive years. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Phineas Spencer, a native of Vermont, and a farmer by occupation. The parents of our subject settled in Brimtield Township, this county, in 1829, on the farm now owned by William Kruger, which they cleared and improved. They had eleven children: Phineas S., Martha L. (deceased), Edward A., Mary L. (deceased), William, John (deceased), Frank F., Delia M. (deceased), Eliza J. (Mrs. E. Osgood), Nancy S. and an infant (deceased). Our subject was married, June 2, 1846, to Ann, daughter of John and Julia A. (Harris) Furry, formerly of Dutchess County, N. Y., who settled in Brimfield Township, this county, in 1817, and to this union were born five children: Homer B., Albert E., Warren A., Merritt E. and Myra J. (twins). Mrs. Russell died November 24, 1884. Our subject has always resided in Brimfield Township, this county, where he followed his trade, that of a wagonmaker, for eight years engaged in farming, and has resided on his present farm since 1855. He is a Republican in politics, he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

PHILIP RUSSELL, farmer, P. O. Windham, was born in Madison County, N. Y., October 25, 1811, son of Philip and Nancy (Sanford) Russell, natives of Connecticut and Madison County, N. Y., respectively. They were parents of thirteen children, of whom seven are now living: Nancy, Philip, William, Daniel, Madison, Webster and Delia, latter wife of Ira S. Cutts, of Windham Township, this county. Philip Russell, Sr., a carpenter and joiner by trade, but by occupation a farmer, came to this county in 1815, and located in Nelson Township, but removed to Windham Township in 1822. He died in Windham, July 1, 1879, aged ninety-three years; his widow, October 8, 1882. Our subject early learned the carpenter and joiner trade, though farming has been his principal occupation. He has been twice married, first to Sally E. Jagger, born October 5, 1815, in Windham, who bore him six children: Sarah E., Elmina, Alanson R., Augusta, Abby C. and Daniel J. Mrs. Russell died in April, 1877, and on May 3, 1881, Mr. Russell married Margaret Owen, born in Ontario, Canada, June 20, 1857, daughter of Anson and Antoinette (Bliss) Owen, natives of Portage County, Ohio, and New York, respectively. Mr. Russell is an energetic, enterprising and successful farmer, having his farm under a high state of cultivation. He takes deep interest in all public improvements, and has filled several offices of trust in the township. In politics he has ever been a Republican.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALBERT G. RUSSELL, carpenter and joiner, Ravenna, was born in 1822, in Nantucket, Mass., son of Capt. Reuben and Maria (Gardner) Russell, natives of Nantucket, and who came to Rootstown, this county, in 1847. They are descendants of the renowned Tristam Coffin, the heroic pioneer of Nantucket. They purchased a farm in Rootstown Township, this county, where they resided until 1873, when they located in Ravenna. Capt. Russell, who had been a Captain of whaling vessels since about 1817, died July 2, 1875, aged seventy-five years. His widow survives him at the advanced age of eighty - four, and is still in full possession of her faculties. Our subject learned his trade at Nantucket, and came to this county with his parents at twenty five years of age. He married, October 2, 1853, Yliss Caroline Russell, also a native of Nantucket, who came to Ravenna in September, 1839, with her parents, Capt. George G. and Louisa W. (Wyer) Russell, who resided in Ravenna until their death. She died in 1863, and he in 1865. To Mr. and Mrs. Russell have been born two children: Maria Louis (deceased at nine years of age) and Fred A., an architect, now residing in Boston, Mass. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Russell have resided in Ravenna. In 1853 he established a sash, door and blind factory, in partnership with his brother Reuben and Timothy Chase, retaining his connection with the establishment until 1853, since which time he has followed his trade. Mrs. Russell is a consistent member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Russell is a life-long Republican, and takes a deep interest in public affairs; one of the most active and earnest workers on the Board of Health in this city.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

YALE RUSSELL, farmer, P. O. Kent, was born in Russell, Mass., March 10, 1802, son of Richard and Sarah (Yale) Russell, natives of Connecticut, of English descent. Our subject was reared on the farm until seventeen years of age, after which he worked at wagon-making for three years in Chatham, N. Y. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed twelve years. In 1824 he came to Ohio, and settled at Franklin Mills (now Kent), where he worked at his trade ten years. The year of his settlement he purchased the farm where he now resides and on which he has lived since 1834. He was married April 7, 1834, to Lucy, daughter of Joshua and Rebecca (Woodin) Woodard, of Kent, by whom he had five children: Cornelia (Mrs. Cornelius Latimer), in Westtield, Ohio; Darwin, in Michigan; Wilson H.; Celestia (Mrs. Lemuel Reed) and Sarah, deceased. Mrs. Russell's father served through the war of 1812 with the rank of General. Darwin, the eldest son of our subject, was in the late war, a member of the One Hundred and Twentyeighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Wilson H., the second son, resides on the old homestead farm with his parents. He was married October 6, 1875, to Ella, daughter of J. T. King, of Kent, by whom he has two children: Myrtle and Lottie. Our subject comes of a long-lived race, his father having lived to be upward of seventy-five years, his mother to be ninety-nine years and ten months old. Mr. Russell is now eighty-three, and is hale and hearty. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Kent. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since its organization. He has filled several offices in the township with credit.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ISAAC RUSSELL, carpenter, Kent, was born in Woodbridge, New Haven Co., Conn., February 12, 1810, son of Lemuel and Elizabeth (Hotchkiss) Russell. When he was five years of age his parents removed to what is now Knox, Albany Co., N. Y., where he resided until seventeen years of age and received a limited education in the common schools. In the fall of 1827 he came to Ohio, and located in what is now the village of Kent, where he has since resided and where he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, an occupation he has followed up to the present time. He has been twice married; first, in June, 1835, to Abigail, daughter of Ebenezer Fenton, of Manlius, N. Y. The issue of this union was six children, four of whom grew to manhood and womanhood: Martha (Mrs. W. H. Palmer), Nelson, Darwood C. (deceased) and Frances A. (Mrs. W. H. Cole). Our subject's present wife was Mrs. Mary M. Clark, nee Lake, to whom he was married November 9, 1880. Mr. Russell has been a resident of what is now the village of Kent for fifty-seven years, and has filled several offices in the township and the village of Kent. He has been elected to the office of Justice of the Peace for seven consecutive terms, and was previously elected to serve an unexpired term; was also Mayor of Kent one term, and held other minor offices. In politics Mr. Russell has been a Republican since the organization of the party.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.