Minnie Russell 1866-1944

RUSSELL, MILLER, LEASE, EMBREE

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 3/14/2021 at 06:54:34

November 16, 1944 - The Anamosa Journal

Mrs. Minnie Russell, widow of Robert H. Russell, Morley, died Wednesday after a long illness. Funeral arrangements are in charge of the Smykil Funeral home, and service will probably be held Saturday afternoon.

She was Miss Minnie F. Miller until her marriage to Mr. Russell Sept. 28, 1890. Two children, Harland, on the home farm in Greenfield township, and Willard H., who farms near Clarence. A daughter died in infancy.

Couple also raised an orphan, Larry Lease, now in California, and cared for Ray Embree from the age of 10 to 21 years. They retired from the farm to Morley in 1926.

Mr. Russell served as township trustee, secretary of the Bunker Hill school district for 30 years, was assessor in Morley, and member of the board of directors of the Citizen's Savings Bank in Olin.

Couple belonged to the Untied Brethren church in Morley.

November 23, 1944 - The Anamosa Journal

Mrs. Minnie Miller-Russell was born June 30, 1866, in Greenfield township, and died Nov. 15, 1944, at the Murray Nursing Home in Tipton, following a long illness.

She was the youngest of seven children born to Joseph and Rebecca Gravel Miller, all of whom have preceded her in death. She was left motherless at the age of six years. Later her father remarried and in this family, she had three half-brothers and one half-sister; two half-brothers, Joseph Clancy, Marion, and Clifford, Anamosa, survive her.

She was united in marriage to Robt. H. Russell, of the White Oak neighborhood, Sept. 28, 1890, at the home of Rev. R. C. Stephens, who officiated at the wedding. They immediately established their home on a farm three miles southwest of Morley. Here the couple lived with the exception of two years, 1910-1911, spent in Canada, until their retirement in 1926 when they moved to Morley. Here they lived until the death of her husband, March 23, 1943. After that time she resided with her two sons.

To this union were born three children, a daughter who died in infancy, and two sons, Harlan, Anamosa, and Willard, Clarence.

She and her husband were privileged to enjoy their Golden Wedding anniversary together, and the occasion was observed with a family gathering and open house to their friends.

In addition to her own family, she and her husband gave a home to an orphan boy, Harry Lease, for six years. Neighbor boy, Ray Embree, now of Anamosa, also made his home with them from the age of 10 until he was 21.

Early in life she became a member of the United Brethren church at the White Oak church, Greenfield township. She transferred her membership to the Untied Brethren church at Morley when it was organized in 1910, after the White Oak church was disbanded. She was one of the charter members of the United Brethren Ladies Aid society, her membership covering a period of more than 30 years.

She is survived by her sons, Harlan and wife, and grandson, Everett, Anamosa, and son, Willard and wife, and grandchildren Miriam and Keith, Clarence.