Michael C. Russell

As printed in 1902

Michael C. Russell is a cement paving contractor and is not only a good artisan with thorough understanding of mechanical principles, but has taken advanced steps in the line of his chosen pursuit, as a designer of new kinds of curbs and walks, and in this way he has added not a little to the improvement of the city. Mr. Russell is a native of Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, born on the 4th of August, 1854, and is a son of Hugh Russell, who was born in Queens Ferry, Scotland, in 1814, but who died in Springfield, Ohio, October 5, 1902. He was educated in paid schools of his native country, acquiring a fair knowledge and becoming a well read man through research, reading and investigation after leaving the schooland Flora.

room. He also possessed considerable mathematical skill. In early life he engaged in granite cutting in Scotland and when he came to Springfield he entered into business relations with James Mott, conducting a stone-cutting enterprise. The year 1866 witnessed his arrival in Ohio, at which time he and his family located in Xenia, in Greene county, and in 1869 they sought a home in Springfield, where the father maintained his residence until his death. He had married Elizabeth Couning, who was born in. Creetown, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, in 1814, being but three months younger than her husband. She died December 10, 1898, having reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Russell five sons and two daughters had been ‘born ere their emigration to the new world. The eldest of these was William, and the second Anthony C. They came to America in the year 1861 and both joined the Union army, after which no news was ever received from William and it is supposed that he was killed in battle. Anthony C. was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness while serving with General Keifer in the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but at the close of the war he received an honorable discharge and, recovering from his injuries, lived many years. He passed away in Mexi-, co in 1901, and his remains were interred in Ferncliff cemetery in Springfield. Hugh Russell is represented on another page of this, work. James R. is living retired in this city, Michael C. is the fifth in the family. Elizabeth is the wife of William McCullough, and Mary J., wife of Andrew J. Burnett, died in Texas, and was also laid to rest in Ferncliff cemetery. While in the land of hills and weather the father was a member of the United Presbyterian church and both in

Xenia and in Springfield held member ships with the same denomination. In politics he was a Republican, but was never an _ aspirant for office. His was a long, useful and honorable career and he received the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one of advanced years. Michael C. Russell attended the paid schools of Scotland until fourteen years of age, but afterward spent two years in the public schools of Xenia. He also attended the southern and western schools in this city and at the age of eighteen years he became an active factor in the industrial world, working with his father, under whose direction he mastered the stoné-cutter’s trade. He was afterward employed as a journeyman for four years and then began working at cement work. He entered the employ of I. Ward Frey, with whom he remained for a time, after which he formed a partnership with George H. Frey, Sr., and was thus in business for two years. While with Mr. I. Ward Frey, who had the contract for laying cement walks, he aided in laying the first walks of that character ever put down in the city. After the partnership was formed they devoted their entire time to this business. As before stated Mr. Russell was associated with George H. Frey for two years and on the expiration of that period he entered into partnership with his father, Hugh Russell, Sr., and the business was carried on by them for six years, our subject doing the active work of the firm. ‘He then started upon an independent business career and the first contracts which were ever awarded to him, and which were executed at Santa Ana, California, required four months for the completion of the work. On the expiration of that period he returned home and has since engaged in business as a contractor of cement walks and curbs. He also laid the first cement walks in Dayton, in Xenia, in Delaware, and Kenton, Ohio. Until 1897 he had no competition in his business, but since that year other firms have come into the field, but Mr. Russell maintains a leading position in his line. He also takes and executed contracts for all kinds of cement paving and employs fourteen men in carrying on the business. He has done work in this direction for the best and oldest families of the city and three teams are continually utilized in hauling materials. To his business he gives his personal supervision and has all that he can well attend to. He was the first contractor to lay the combination curbing and gutter, a design of his own. He has added many improvements in the composition of walks and on many beautiful streets of the city he has constructed some of the finest walks. To him was awarded the contract for building the combination curb and gutter in Ferncliff cemetery. Mr. Russell purchases cement by the carload and in 1901 he used twelve carloads, and in 1902 sixteen carloads, showing the substantial increase in his business. His work is of a substantial and lasting character, as is shown by the fact that walks which he laid twenty-two years ago seem as good today as when put down. The walk which he makes is laid in sections independent of each other. As his financial resources have increased he has become the owner of several building lots in Springfield and has been very successful in all his business affairs.

On the 12th of February, 1880, in Delaware, Ohio, Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Emma Wohlater, who was born in Delaware, Ohio, in 1855, a daughter of Christopher Wohlater, who was a holder by trade, but is now deceased. In his family were five children: Caroline, the wife of John Riddle, of Delaware, Ohio; Mrs. Russell; Hattie, the wife of Charles Brown, of Cleveland, Ohio: Lillie, the wife of Charles Matthews, who is foreman of the B. H. Winter Lithographing Company; and William, who is engaged in the dry-goods business in New York city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Russell have been born two children: Roy R., who died at the age of one year; and May Belle, who is attending Wittenberg College, and will there complete a course in music in 1904. Mr. Russell purchased a lot and in 1885 built his modern home, which was the first erected on College avenue. He and his wife hold membership in the United Presbyterian church and he belongs to Red Star Lodge, K. P., also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a Republican and has served as a delegate to county and state conventions, but would never accept public office. Entering upon his business career with opportunity before him but with no capital to assist him, he iras proven that adaptability, unremitting diligence and honorable dealing may constitute a firn foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of success. His reputation in his chosen field of labor is one which extends throughout the city and his efforts in this direction have been of benefit to the various circles in which he has labored and at the same time have brought to him creditable and gratifying prosperity.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.