Samuel Russell, Sr. 1826-1912

RUSSELL, CLINE, FLETCHER, MITCHELL, GILLASPIE, HIGDON

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 7/7/2014 at 08:36:46

Samuel Russell, Sr.

Another of the splendid old pioneers has gone before us. Samuel Russell Sr., born in Virginia in the year 1826 on the ninth day of November, and died at his home five miles northeast of Bonaparte, Iowa, on the twelfth day of August 1912, aged 85 years, nine months, and three days.

And the stately ships move on
To their haven under the hill;
But O, for the touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still.

When he was quite young his parents moved to Kentucky, where they lived only a short time when death called both the father and mother, leaving only Samuel and a younger brother to face the many trials and temptations of this wide world alone.

They soon left Kentucky and started out to make their way, in all traveling over some fourteen states before they finally settled in Iowa in the early fifties. In 1853 he united in marriage with Martha Cline and to this union were born eleven children, four of whom preceded the father to the grave. The loving wife passed away in 1892.

He leaves to mourn, seven children: Adam Russell, Mrs. Martha Fletcher, Cain Russell, and Mrs. Ella Mitchell, all of Bonaparte vicinity; Mrs. Mary Gillaspie, and Mrs. Maggie Higdon of Farmington; and George W. Russell of Portland, Oregon. Also twenty-eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was a kind husband and loving father, and was a very strong man, both in strength of body and in character; always ready to give a helping hand to those who needed assistance.

He was a member of the Baptist church and a great student of the Bible, and was a faithful student and an earnest worker in his church until the latter years when he became too feeble to attend. No person had a greater love for his country and he took a great interest in political affairs until the end.

His last illness lasted just one month and a day, when he left his earthly home at 3:30 o'clock Monday P. M. August 12, 1912, for a brighter home beyond.

Funeral services were held at the late home Wednesday forenoon in charge of Rev. L. T. Hughes, and the remains were placed in the Houlsworth cemetery.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA