RUSSELL, Renssolaer 1828-1896

RUSSELL, RICHARDS

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/11/2014 at 00:37:21

[Waterloo Courier, Wednesday, November 18, 1896, Waterloo, Iowa]

The news of the death of Renssolaer Russell last night, November 11, came to many with a shock as it was thought he was getting better and stronger. It seemed, too, but a few days since he was last, seen on the street in his usual health and it was hard to realize that many had seen him for the last time then. Those who saw Mr. Russell during his sickness were not apprehensive of his condition and he apparently had been gaining. Two weeks ago last Sunday he was taken with severe neuralgic pains in the back and side and this was complicated with a sciatic nerve trouble. He recovered from this attack and was about the house. The Sunday before election he remarked that if fine weather continued he thought he would be able to go down and vote for McKinley, but his he did not do. Yesterday he read the papers and seemed very cheerful and animated. Miss Russell had been down town during the afternoon and upon her return had her father's supper taken to his room. Mr. Russell had just begun eating when he looked up suddenly and made some exclamation to his daughter, who was sitting near. She at once recognized that the end had come, for before she reached him he had sunk own in his chair. She raised him up somewhat and then ran for stimulants and assistance, but Mr. Russell breathed his last almost immediately after he spoke to Miss Russell. The cause of death was organic heart trouble.

Mr. Russell was well known in this vicinity having been associated for many years with the interests of Waterloo. He came here with his wife and daughter, Genevieve, in the fall of 1857. They came from Onieda County, N. Y. They occupied a house near what is now the C. G. W. R'y crossing on Jefferson Street; subsequently they moved into the house now owned by J. E. Sedgwick. The house in which Mr. Russell died was built in 1869 or '61. In 1857, and for two or three years following, Mr. Russell was associated with Martin H. Moore in the banking business, and this was conducted in part of the building now occupied by Mr. Forry. When the First National Bank was opened Mr. Russell transferred his business to that organization. After he left the banking business he was engaged in dealing in land for some time. Subsequently he engaged in the grocery business, but closed this out nearly twenty years ago.

Mr. Russell was a man of considerable property and tho past few years ho has occupied himself looking after these interests and has not been actively engaged in any other business. The building known as Russell's block was built in 1800, and for a long time the room on the third story was the only hall of any size in the city and was used for all public entertainments.

Death entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. Russell in 1802 and took the beloved daughter, Genevieve, aged six years, who met her death by accidental drowning September second of that year. The death of tho child was a great blow to both parents. In 1887 Mrs. Russell died. They were married in 1853, and her maiden name was Caroline M. Richards. Since the death of Mrs. Russell, Miss Lillian Russell and her father have been almost inseparable companions. She has been a most devoted daughter and repaid with love the care and attention her father lavished upon her. In this dark hour of her bereavement many sympathizing friends offer consolation.

Mr. Rensselaer Russell was one of a family of ten children. He was born in Otsego, Otsego County, N. Y., June 18th, 1828. and died in Waterloo, Iowa, Nov. 11, 1800.

Mr. Russell was held in the highest esteem, by all with whom he associated. He was a man of sterling qualities and perfectly honorable and upright in his dealings with all people. He was of a genial disposition and it was always a pleasure to him to meet and converse with tho early settlers of Waterloo. He was made a vestryman of St. Mark's Episcopal Church may 4, 1858, and has held that position since the formation of the church. At the time of his death he was a senior warden. Mr. Russell and the late J. G. Hoff were the only two who have served in this capacity in St. Mark's parish. Mr. Russell was one of the original founders of the church in Waterloo and services were held in the courthouse, Bishop Lee of the Diocese of Iowa, coming from Davenport to officiate.

Mr. Russell will be missed in church circles and from the ranks of pioneer settlers, but in the home will his loss be most keenly felt. The funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. from the residence. The arrangements for these services have not been fully completed as yet. Probably Arch-Deacon Hoyt, of Davenport, of the southern deanery of Diocese of Iowa, will conduct the services.

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Rensselaer Russell, lent his money and name to the Russell-Lamson Hotel. In 1857 he started up his own banking business with M H Moore which opened the First National Bank in 1865. He sold out of the banking business and then went into real estate full time. His first daughter, Genevieve, died at age six and his second daughter, Lillian waited for marriage until after the death of her father. She then married Clyde Lamson, builder of the Russell-Lamson Hotel in 1914.
[Black Hawk County History]

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