Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-06-13
DIR. William H. Russell.

The silent footsteps of death have
again been seen in our village, the past
week, in the removal from among us of
Dr. William P. Russell Dr. Russell
was born in Charlotte, Vt, January 6,
1910. He came to Middlebury in 1882,
and two years after married his present
widow, daughter of the late DR.. Will
liam Bass, brother of DR.. Zacheus Bass,
sow of our village. HesOon commenced
the practice of medicine as physician
and surgeon, and by diligent application
to his calling, soon acquired the con-
fdence of the community and an extern
Sive practice. AS surgeon he was skill
full and successful, and enjoyed the con-
fidcnce of DR.. Jonathan A. Allen, one of
the best surgeons our State ever possess
ed. Throughout the State DR.. Russell
was recognized by the medical fraternity
as an honorable practitioner and man.
In time he became engaged, in cOnneC-
ton with 'other occupations, in the bust
ness of drug store; this latter calling
he pursued for some years. He held
the appointment of postmaster for sew
eral years in Middlebury, and gave good
satisfaction to the people. Upon the
breaking out of the late war, he listened
to the demands of his country and went
into the service as surgeon to one of the
Vermont regiments and continued there
in until his health failed, when he was
honorably discharged, and returned
home a broken-down, disabled man.
Soon after his return, he was stricken
down with paralysis, from which he
never fully recovered. and which was
the ultimate cause of his death.
Dr. Russell was man of great public
spirit. He was the fast friend of all
measures that went to build up the in
terests of society promotive of the gen.
eral good of all. In matters of educa-
ton he always evinCed the highest in
terest, and in the recent effort to build
Our graded sChoOlrhGuse and improve the
facilities for educating our children. he
gave his time and money with great
cheerfulness. He was identified with
the orders of Masonry and Odd Fellow
ship in our State. For several years he
was Master of Union Lodge No. 2, and
n. G. of Lake Dunmore Lodge, |. 0. of |
O. F., both of our village. The duties |
of these two positions he discharged |
with great acceptability to his brethren /
In various ways he has been honored by |
his fellow-citizens with important tasks, |
all of which he has faithfully discharg- |
ed. In DR.. Russell there were com
bined many excellent traits of character. /
To the poor he was a steadfast friend. |
Eminently social, his society was sought I
and enjoyed by many. His friendships |
were, when once formed, steadfast and |
true. He was a close observer of human |
events, and watched with great and !
growing interest the mighty develop /
ments of progress in the history of our
own nation and the world. He loved |
his family as a husband and father |
with great affection, and it was a source
of great gratitude to him that he was
permitted to live to see his children grow
up in the ways of virtue to maturity
He leaves a widow and four children to
mourn the loss of one who had loved
them with tender affection. His only
son, Edward Russell, resides
in Council Bluffs, practising physician
of acknowledged ability.
The ceremonies OF lntcrment OF Df.
Russell took place last Friday. His re-
mains were attended to the grave by
very large number of Masons from this
and adjacent towns. The Odd Fellows
also were out to join in the general ex-
pressions of sympathy and regard for
our esteemed fellow citizen. The ex-
ercises were held at his late residence,
Rev. f. P. Hooker, officiating clergy
man. The Masonic burial ceremony at
the grave was conducted by Mr.. George
F. Skiff in highly creditable and i'm
pressive manner.
Thus has passed away one whom |
loved as friend and brother. The grave
hides him from my view, but his many
good qualities | never shall forget To
gether we have often met on the level
and parted on the square. No more
shall we exchange the fraternal greet
ing-no more feel the warm greetings OF
more snail | hear the
words of counsel and advice, ever so
cheerfully given. In the maturity of
he has passed from the trials
of life, of which he suffered very heavy,
to that bourne from WHICH no Traveller
returns. My brother, my friend, has
gone, forever gone. GANDoR.
Middlebury, June 8, 1872.