RUSSELL, Mrs. Minerva C.: Died 1944

RUSSELL, DEMAREE, FOX, BITTINGER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 12/9/2013 at 14:43:35

Pioneer Lady Died Sunday
**Handwritten: 1943

MRS. MINERVA RUSSELL,

Mrs. Minerva C. Russell died at the home of her daughter Mrs. Netta Demaree, at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, December 12, 1943, at the age of 89 years, 9 months and 9 days. She had been in failing health for several months and seriously ill about a week.

She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Fox and was born in Eldon where her entire life was lived. She attended the first Dixie school in this vicinity, where the Fairfield school is now located. In 1872 she was united in marriage to Michael Russell who was a Civil War Veteran. To this union two children were born, a son, Albert Russell and a daughter Mrs. Netta Demaree, both of Eldon and whom survive. She reared a niece, Miss Alice Kelley, who is living at the Demaree home.

Mrs. Russell was, for many years, an active member of the Women's Relief Corps, an Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. She attended services at the Methodist church here, until poor health prevented. She was well known as a Christian woman that devoted many years of her life doing acts of kindness for her neighbors and citizens of this community.

The Russell home was located on the bank of the Des Moines river, providing a picturesque view in all four seasons of the year, in which Mrs. Russell greatly enjoyed.

She lived here before Eldon was given its present name, which was known as Ashland Crossing. She witnessed the growing coal mining industry and also when Eldon was first being recognized as a railroad town. She was familiar with the history of the Fox and Sac Indians who lived on the river banks and later made peace with the Black Hawk Indians, also camping near here. She remembered well when the first rails for the Rock Island railroad were laid. Her memory was keen of the building of the public schools and each church as it was erected in chronological order. She also remembered the founding of other industries, such as the Brick and Tile plant, which for several years was a large manufacturing concern here, but now only a matter of record. However, as the years passed, a vivid picture remained in the alert memory of this pioneer. These are a few of the many reasons why Eldon has parted with a time honored citizen with the passing of Mrs. Russell from our midst.

Survivors besides her son and daughter and Miss Kelley is one granddaughter, and one great son, Mrs. Harvey Bittinger and son of Des Moines.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, December 14, at 2:00 p.m., at the Demaree residence, with the Rev. H.H. Stark in charge of the services. Pallbearers were Clarence Hall, Art Hughes, Owen Potts, H.C. Neff, Owen Keefe, and Floyd Perry. Interment was made in the Eldon cemetery.

**Handwritten: RUSSELL

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 368, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA