The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-06-11

I'VE are again compelled to make the
Sad announcement of the death of one Of
our prominent citizens, DR.. William L.
Russell, who died at his residence in this
village, on Tuesday morning, June 4,
1872. He was born in Charlotte, VT,
January 6, 1910. Choosing the medical
profession as his future pursuit, he stud
led and graduated at the Medical Col
lege in Castleton. Removing to Middle
bury in 1882, for thirty years he was
prominent, skillful and popular physician
and surgeon in this community, his prac-
tice extending into many Of the neighbor-
ing towns of the county. He took u
lively interest in political affairs, and
had he belonged to the dominant party
in the State, he would undoubtedly have
attained high official position, as he was
a gentleman of rare mental powers, and
well informed on general and political af-
fairs. From 1857 to 1861 he held the
position of Postmaster of Middlcbury,
and discharged its duties with great ac
ceptance to the public. Soon after re-
firing from this office he entered the mil
itary service of the country to aid in
crushing the rebellion, and was appoint
ed Surgeon of the 9th Vermont Voun-
teers. Here, amidst the fearful sickness
at camp Griffin, and the terrible PENN
sula campaign of Gen. Mcclellan, his
rare skill and his indomita6le energy
were brought into requisition, and gained
] G. ii, thn npI att m
every side During the fearful Seven
Days Battle, while consistently caring
for the wounded upon the field, he was
captured by the rebels and thrown into
Libby Prison Released after time
it was found that the prolonged exposures
and effect Of the campaign, and the pesti.
lential miasmas of the Chickahominy, had
overcome even his iron constitution, and
after passing through critical illness al
Washington, he turned homeward, in the
hope that the bracing air of the Greer
Mountains would again restore him tt
health and vigor. But this expectation
unhappily, was not to be realized ant
though his shattered constitution some
what rallied, yet he was never able t.
resume the duties of his profession exccp
to a limited extent.
During the late winter his nealth seem
ed to be somewhat better, but abou
three weeks since he began to strongly
decline, and on tho 4th instant quietly
passed away.
A man Of genial nature and generou
heart, and of rare social qualities, he hat
large circle Of constant friends through
out the State As a member of the or
der of Free masons, and that of Cd
Fellowship, he had long been prominent
, In the Masonic bodies he had been tn
> first officer in the Lodge at Middleoury
: and the Council at Vergennes, and ha
held prominent places in both Chapte
and Commandery at Middlebury. Befor
entering the army he had been Gran
Junior Warden Of the Graud Lodge, an
: Deputy Grand Commander of the Gran
Commandery Of Vermont, and Gran
y Master of the Order Of Odd Fellow
g He was also prominent member of tn
: Grand Army Of the Republic, and Mec
+ ical Director Of the Department of Vel
# mont. He retained his interest in thes
d institutions to the last.
= His funeral was attended on Frida
:. last at his late residence, where religio,
d services were held, conducted by Rev.
|. p. Hooker His remains were then borr
l. to their final resting place by his brett
rem of the mystic tie, and buried wi
S. the impressive Masonic service. W.
a George F. Skiff conducting the cerem
a MES, and the Knights Templar, und
ut the charge of Sir Knight T. NJ. Cha
lie man, acting as escort and guard of hone
r. Thus has passed away one who f
G. long years was an active and emerge:
he business man among us, and one who
1t death will be widely and sincerely
h. mented.