Russell, Albert Edward 1894 - 1921

RUSSELL, EVERETTS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23

Elkader Register, Thur., 6 Oct. 1921. Volga City Views column.

Albert Edward Russell was born at Stretham, Cambridgeshire, England, on the 3rd of July 1894. When 18 years of age he started to work, first in a grocery store, a year later he was employed by an engineering firm where he continued until he came to America, about nine years ago. He still had in his possession the reference from the last firm commending him for his honesty, industry and faithfulness. These, we knew, were qualities that Albert showed wherever he went.

His brother George and other friends having come to America he followed them in about 1912 and found employment on a farm near Volga, Iowa. Here he met Mr. and Mrs. Walter Everetts, people who formerly lived in England. They welcomed him as they had donne his brother George. With them Albert received all the comforts and consulations of a true home.

During his lingering illness Mrs. Everetts cared for him with all the tenderness and devotion of a mother.

When our country became involved in the great world war Albert was one of the first to present himself for enlistment. Record shows that he enlisted on the 7th of May, 1917, sailed on July 30th of the same year, returned September 5th, 1919, was discharged on the 25th of the same month.

He was in four major and a number of minor engagements, was subjected to gas attacks several times and spent several months in the hospital, when he returned from the war he hoped at once to be able to take his place in the industry of the community.

However, he soon experienced that there was something in his system that was steadily drawing on his vitality. He sought medical aid but received no help. His friends appealed to the government hoping there might be someone who might understand his trouble. He was first taken to Dubuque and then to Tennessee but received no help.

When he realized that he was gradually failing he wanted to come back to his home. So he was returned to the home of Walter Everetts on March 11, 1921. From that time until his death Mrs. Everetts gave him all her time and attention making his last days as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Albert was cheerful and patient during all this time. The end came on Monday morning when he quietly fell asleep.

He leaves a father, one brother and two sisters and a grandmother in England. His brother George, also a veteran of the late war, now living near Ontario, Cal., and a cousin, Miss Elizabeth Russell of Lockport, N.Y., and in addition to these a large number of friends for Albert loved many and won respect and friendship of all who knew him.

The funeral services for Albert E. Russell were held last Sunday afternoon. Realizing the numbers who would attend it was decided that Volga City had no church with seating capacity large enough and decided to use the large opera house. Every seat was filled, and many were obliged to stand. The stage was tastily decorated and the floral offerings were many and very beautiful. A section of the main floor was reserved for the family, also friends, American Legion and Masonic order.

The funeral cars were met, at the outskirts of town by the American Legion Strawberry Point Post, No. 218, and Elkader Lodge, No. 72, A.F. & A.M., the deceased being an honored member of both fraternities, and escorted to the place for funeral services, which were conducted by Rev. W. H. Smith, of the Volga City M.E. church, assisted by Rev. Hempstead of the Congregational church of Elkader. Music was very well furnished by a mixed quartetts and a solo by Miss Nettie Duff.

Rev. Smith gave a sermon very fitting and in his remarks voiced the respect and love which everyone has for the one who has passed on. The burial services were under the auspices of the Masonic order and American Legion, with firing of the salutes and sounding of taps closed one of the largest funerals ever held in Volga City.

Thus we laid to rest in our beautiful cemetery one who though he has lived with us only eight years has shown his real worth as a United States citizen, a brave soldier and a real friend.