Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-11-09
Col. Thomas Russell.


Eulogy is effective only when crys-
talized with the incidents of life
time, then it becomes tribute to the
dead and an example to the living.
Col. Thomas Russell, the subject Of
this notice, was born at Northampton,
Mass, Dec. 18th, 1898. His father,
Hezekiah Russell, was II descendant
Of Rev. John Russell, the first clergy
man of ITadley, Mass, who is remem-
bered in the history of that early time
as having concealed for several years
from the rage Of their purSuers, the
rcgicides COTE and Whalcy, two of the
judges who had condemned Charles L.,
and were afterwards compelled to flee
from thevengence ofhis son. Hismoth-
er was q descendant Of Rev. Cotton
Mather, the eminent divine.
Nothing in particular is known of
his life until the age of seventeen,
when he went to Greenfield, Mass, to
serve an apprenticeship with his cous-
in, John Russell. There he remained
abont four years. At the end of that
time he commenced with Mr.. Cutler
the work Of making silver-warc for
the Indians. With his team they
went to Mackinaw and remained near
ly Il year. While there he sold silver
ware for John Jacob Astor, of the
Hudson Bay Fur Company.
There also he made from q slight
piece of steel the saw used by DR..
Beaumont in the case Of Alexis st.
Martin who received q gunshot wound
that laid open portion Of the stom-
ach. The operation and the obscrya-
tions which followed as made by DR..
Beaumont at that time have forever
set at rest remarkable points in refer
encc to the functions of the stomach.
On his return from Mackinaw he re-
mained at Walpole with the exception
Of short time spent at Surrey, n.
H., until 1928 when he went to Wind
sor. Here he associated himself in
business with Mr.. Plumb, under the
firm Of Russell 4 Plumb.
In 1925 he was married to Miss
Eliza Rice of Walpole.
From Windsor he came to Wood
stock, in 1929, and bought the busi-
ness of Joseph Vaughan wstchmaker
and ewcllcr i'll the Edison Block,
more recently occupied by Haskell
4 Palmer. There he remained until
September. 1887, when he entered in
to Il copartnership with Francis w.
Clarke and went to Florida. Ar
rangements were made to sail on the
sch ooner Home" from New York,
but some trihing occurrence at the
time prevented his so doing. The
schooner was wrecked off the coast of
the Carolinas. Since his return in
the autumn of 1888, he has lived in
this place. In the meantime he re-
ceived commissions as Adjutant, Ma
jor and Colonel of the State Militia.
His commission as Colonel bears date
Feb. 5, 1884.
From 1887 to 1865, embracing Il
period of 28 years he was connected
with Mr.. Clark in business. The firm
was Russell, Clark & Randall utter
until 1869, when he retired.
His wife and the youngest of five
children survive him.
Very many incidents illustrative of
marked and strong characteristics
could be given but we must Quit them.
AS matchmaker he enjoyed an en-
viable position. A long life-work in
this direction, united with superior
talent for the work, secured for him q
high degree of excellence in his chos-
en- occupation.
His corteous and gentlemanly bear
ing, together with his generosity and
hospitality attached to himself a large
circle Of friends, while his warm and
sensitive nature adorned the more
beautiful characteristics Of his being.
He is gone, and with this epitome
of his life and character, we leave HIM
in bright and better hereafter.
,nlI mil