W. O. Russell 1839-1908

RUSSELL, BONEY, EVANS

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 12/27/2018 at 14:44:08

15 October 1908 - West Branch Times

The community was inexpressibly shocked yesterday morning to learn of the very sudden death of W. O. Russell, which occurred at 9:30 a.m., from rheumatism of the heart.

Mr. and Mrs. Russell had lately sold their home at Walker and arrived this week with a car of household goods, intending to make this their future home. Preparations were being made for the erection of a new house, the excavations being almost completed. Mr. Russell was about on Tuesday, and although not feeling very well, was busy looking after his new building. He passed a very restless night but arose in the morning and not feeling any better the physician was again called, but he quietly passed away at 9:30.

The sympathy of the entire community goes out to his aged wife and his son in this, their greatest sorrow.

The remains will be taken to Walker tomorrow where interment will take place.

22 October 1908 - West Branch Times

William Orlando Russell was born at Hartford, Maine, Jan. 7, 1839.

He enlisted Sept. 23, 1861, at Boston, Mass., as a saddler in Co. C., 1st Mass. cavalry and served in the company until the close of the war, being discharged June 29, 1865.

On the 25th of May, 1883, he was mustered into the Grand Army of the Republic as a charter member of C. G. Francis Post No. 181, at Walker, Iowa, from which honorable position he was mustered out by the expiration of his term of service, answering the last roll call from his bivouac at West Branch, Iowa, Oct. 14, 1908.

Just before the close of the war on Feb. 19, 1865, he was married to Miss Celia A. Boney in Abbington, Mass.

After a three years' residence in Maine, they came west, locating at Belvidere, Illinois; where they lived two years, then coming to Grant township, Linn county, Iowa, where they have since made their home. Only about two weeks ago they sold their home in Walker and moved to West Branch in order to be near their son.

Three children were born to them--Walter, who died Jan. 25, 1897; Emma May, now Mrs. D. E. Evans of Hazleton, Iowa; and John J. of West Branch.

Besides the widow and remaining children, a whole community mourns the loss of a valued citizen, a faithful husband and indulgent father.

The body was brought to Walker on Friday morning, Oct. 16, and funeral services held from the residence now owned by Dr. L. H. Sarchett, recently purchased of the deceased. The services were conducted by the Rev. G. M. Bing, pastor of the M.E. church.

The remains were followed to the cemetery by the G.A.R., W.R.C., and I.O.O.F., marching as a body. Officers of the Grand Army conducting the services at the grave, while the other orders bestowed flowers and evergreens upon the casket.