The Russell Family of Stark County, Ohio

CHARLES M. RUSSELL, deceased. It may not inaptly be said that a man who for so many years assumed so prominent a position in the community in which he lived as the subject of this notice, becomes, as it were, a public chai-after, and hence every member of society feels a sort of property, or rather interest, in the facts pertaining to his life and death, and which, in this instance, becomes more appropriate, from the fact that the far-reaching enterprise and energy, with which the deceased extended his own reputation conveyed the name of his home along with it. Mr. Chai'les M. Russell, whose portrait appears in this work, was born Oct. 1, 180( in Middlesex Co., Mass. He was the eldest son of Cyrus and Louisa (Stratton) Russell, and removed with them to the State of New Hampshire, and after'ward to Vermont State, where they died. jVIr. Russell came to Massillon in the spring of 1838, and in the occupation of master builder, gave little promise of the extended usefulness of his future; but soon after, in connection with his brothers Clement and Nahmn, under the style of C. M. Russell & Co., in the manufacture of agricultural implements, more particularly threshing machines. The genius of Mr. Russell would never jieiTuit him to pursue the beaten track of others, but whenever there were imperfections in his way, improvement mai'ked his course, and this characteristic

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

JOSEPH K. RUSSELL, agricultural works, Massillon: was l)orn June 26, 1823, in Cheshire Co., N. H., the fifth son and seventh child of a family of eleven children, born to Cyrus and Louisa (Stratton) Russell; he, born in Weston, Mass., son of Joseph, whose ancestors came fi'om England. Joseph had four sons and three daughters- Cyrus, Sylvanus, Clement and Joseph; Abigail, Susan, and Louisa. His wife was a daughter of Isaac Stratton. The Strattons came from Lincoln, Mass. Isaac Stratton had Nahum, Henry-, Lewis, Louisa, Mary, Priscilla and Miu'cha. Cyrus received certificate of county land for services in the war of 1812. He died in 1872, in Connecticut, having gone there foiuor five years previously. The boys remained on the farm, but J. K. came West in 1842. and worked at a trade, but returned to Ntnv England in 1845, and stayed until 1863, then returned here. He was married Jan. 1, 1841), to Lucretia J. Harris, who was born in Cheshire Co., N. H., in 1828, daughter of Milan and Lois Wright. He has five children-Burnett, Charles M., Mary E., Louisa J. and Jessie L. Burnett is in Council Bluffs; Charles, in business with firm, as Assistant Secretary and Treasurer. Wife died in 1875; married in 1876 to Mrs. Lydia H. Harris, born in Nelson, N. H., daughter of Oliver Heald. She has one son - Edgar C. Member of the Second Presbyterian Church. Is a strong Temperance man, and a Repiiblican.

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

THOMAS H. RUSSELL, manufacturer, Massillou; was born in Alstead, N. H., May 15, 1828, the sixth son lion to Cjrus and Louisa (Stratton) Russell; came West in 1847 to Massillon, and learned the machinist's trade at this place with the firm of Russell Bros., and afterward worked in their office as book keeper, subsequently becoming a partner: since 1868, has been Superintendent of the works. Sept.

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

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The citizens of Massillon esteem Mr. Russell as one of their most influential and energetic residents. He has been active on the City Council and was prominent in securing the present park, one of the ornaments of the city. In other ways his enterprise has been displayed and he has doubtless contributed as effectively and continuously to the material welfare of the place as any other resident thereof. A member of the firm of Russell & Co., he has for fort'-two years applied himself very closely to the details of the business and is consequently familiar with every branch of the work, and especially with the iron department, of which he is Superintendent.

The son of Cyrus and Louisa (Slralton) Russell, of whom mention is made in the sketch of.Joseph K. Russell on another page, our subject was born in Sutton, Caledonia County, Yt., October 27, 1830. He spent his early years on his father's farm, his time being mainly devoted to agricultural

PORTRAIT A'D BIOGRAnilCAL RECORD.

work. May 30, 1850, when nearly twenty j'ears old, he arrived in Massillon, the journey either having been made overland from Sutton to Burlington, thence by boat to Montreal, and from there up the St. Lawrence River to Genesee Falls. From Buffalo he proceeded via the steamer "Buckcye State" to Cleveland, and from that place by stage to Massillon.

After reaching Massillon, Mr. Russell was apprenticed to learn the trade of a moulder, but continued at that occupation only four weeks. Finding the work uncongenial, he was apprenticed tu learn the machinist's trade, which he followed three _years and then entering his brother's employ, became foreman in the iron department. He was one of the original manufacturers of reapers in their shops, which were then located on Erie Street. In.Tanuary, 1864, he was admitted as partner in the firm, which was then known as N. S. & C. Russell, although in the fall of the same year the title was changed to Russell & Co. A description of this prominent manufactorjwill be found in the biograi)hy of Joseph K. Russell. In addition to these interests, Mr. Russell is Vice-president, Du'rector and a stockholder in the Massillon Electric Light, Heat & Power Company, of which he was an originator.

In Lodi, Medina County, Mr. Russell owns a splendid farm of one hundred and thirty acres of well-improved land, which is occupied by a tenant. General farming is there carried on, and for a time full-blooded Durhams were raised, but afterward Mr. Russell turned his attention to horses and introduced roadsters, which are still raised there with success. He is the owner of an attractive residence on the corner of Xorth and Prospect Streets, one of the most elegant homes of Massillon.

The lady who in Noveinber, 1890, became the wife of ]\Mr. Russell, was formerly known as Carrie.1. Culver. She was born in Cleveland, the daughter of William M. Culver, who was engaged in business as a matter and furrier, first in Massillon, Ohio, and later at Ithaca, N. Y. By a former marriage Mr. Russell had one child, who lived to maturity, a son, who was a graduate of Nazareth (Pa.) Military Academy, and became a practical machinist. He was married and resided in a beautiful home on

South Erie Street, where he died in October, 1891, aged thirty-three years. He left four children, who now reside with their mother.

A stanch Republican politically, Mr. Russell has served his party as a delegate to State and county conventions and h.is frequently been a member of the County Republican Committee. For ten years he was a member of the Cit\- Council, representing the First Ward, and was President three years of the time. lie is not identified with any church, but assists every denomination and contributes largely to religious causes. In his social connections he is identified with Clinton Lodge Xo. 47, F. it A. M.; Roal Arch Masons, Knights Templar, and belongs to Massillon Commandery No. 4.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE L. RUSSELL, machinist, Massillon: was born Oct. 28, 1830. in the town of Sutton. Caledonia Co.. Vt.. the seventh son and tenth child born to his parents, Cyrus and Louisa (Stratton) Russell. He came West in June, 1850, and engaged to work at the machinist's trade for C. M. Russell & Co., continuing with them until 18('>4. at which lime he became a member of the firm. He was married in 1893, and has one son, William C. Since 1878. the firm has been known as Russell & Co., four of the Russell brothers being members of the firm, each having his own department to superintend. George L., having charge of the machine-shop.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

ALLEN RUSSELL, of the firm of Russell & Co., at Massillon, was born in Sutton, Caledonia County, Vt., May 7, 1833. He is the son of Cyrus and Louisa (Stratton) Russell, of whom further mention is made in the sketch of Joseph K. Russell, presented elsewhere in this volume. From his childhood days, it was apparent that this son, the youngest of eleven children in the parental family, possessed the same sturdy enterprise and progressive spirit which characterized his older brothers.

The boyhood of Mr. Russell was varied by few incidents of special importance, and he was employed in the usual manner of farmer lads in quiet county homes. As soon as he was large enough to reach the plow, he commenced to aid in tilling the soil, and his life thereafter was a busy one, with few of the pleasures which the boys of the present generation enjoy, and few of the advantages now within the reach of the poorest child. His father going to Connecticut in 1862, he assumed entire charge of the farm, of which he had for many years before had the supervision. He purchased the old homestead, adding to its acreage until it consisted of one hundred and fifty acres, and was conceded to be one of the most progressive young agriculturists of the State. The first mower ever used in Caledonia County was shipped there in ISGl from IMassillon, and was one of the first manufactured by Russell Bros., at that place. It was purchased by our subject and was regarded with great interest and curiosity by his neighbors. In addition to general farming, he was engaged extensively- in dealing in stock, in which he met with success.

In the spring of 1865, Mr. Russell sold the farm and came West to Massillon, where he entered the employ of his brothers, and was engaged in overseeing the shipment of repairs. In 1870, he became a member of the firm of Russell Sc Company, to which he still belongs. Three years after becoming a partner, he removed to Indianapolis.and there took charge of the branch house of Russell & Company. His home in that city was on Delaware Street, opposite the residence of Benjamin Harrison, afterward President of the United States, with whom Mr. Russell enjoyed a personal acquaintance. Adjoining his residence was the home of Attorney-General Miller, one of the most prominent statesmen of the century.

Having charge of the business of the firm in Illinois and Indiana, Mr. Russell traveled extensively through these States until 1878, when the branch house in Indianapolis was incorporated by a stock company, and he became a Director and stockholder. He then went on the road, adjusting claims and looking after the interests of the firm as well as branch houses in other places. During that time, he traveled extensively over the United States, especially in the West, and became well known as the representative of the company.

In 1889, Mr. Russell removed to Chicago, where he owns and resides in an elegant residence at No. 1837 Michigan Avenue. He was first married in Sutton, Yt., in 18.54, to Miss Lorinda Chase, who was born in Campton, N. II., the daughter of Silas Chase, a blacksmith of that place. After her death, Mr. Russell was a second time married in Sutton, Yt., his wife being Miss Olive C. Cook, and the ceremony which united them was performed in 1858. Mrs. Russell was born in Campton, N. H., where her father, Jacob Cook, was a millwright. Two children have blessed the union: Harley A., who resides in Indianapolis and has charge of the branch house of Russell & Company; and Carrie, who married S. M. Burdette, Assistant Editor of the Chicago Herakl. In her religious preference, Mrs. Russell is a Presbiterian, and holds membership in a church of that denomin.ation in Chicago.

Inventive by nature, Mr. Russell has secured letters patent on several contrivances of value to manufacturers, the most Important of which is the automatic straw-stacker. Possessing an inquiring mind, he is ever on the alert to discover new methods of work, or improve upon the established order of things. The great success which has rewarded his efforts proves the possession of excellent judgment and unusual business talent, for, when he started out for himself, he had no moved capital, but was dependent upon his unaided exertions. His fortune has been acquired by his own industry, integrity and energy, and he is trying to bear his part of that responsibility which falls in great or small degree to every American citizen. His political opinions and thorough belief in Protection bring him into hearty s'pathy with the Republican party, of which he is a stanch supporter. His public spirit has been shown on more than one occasion, and in more than one direction, and he has the highest respect of the business men of Chicago and other cities.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.