The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-05-05
The late Russell b. Webster.

To the Editor Of the Exrr.rRIsE.
On the 3lst day of January last, there
passed from the shores of time the spirit
Of Russel B. Webster, notice of which
was announced In this paper OF the next
issue thereafter.
As Mr.. Webster was one Of the pion-
eer settlers Of Wellington, and was u
man Of remarkable strength ofcharacter,
of Websterisn intellect, 1t has often oc-
cured to the writer that something more
then the obituary notice then given,
would be fitting.
He was born at Otis, Mass, on the
25th day of April, l7s9, and died at
Wellin zton, January 81, 1881. OF his
eighty-two years, sixty were spent in
Wellington. He saw its beginning, he
shared the privations and evils of its pio-
neer life. He helped clear the forests and
reared for himself and large family
q comfortable home. He helped TO mould
the institutions of the township, aud
give character to the community ir
which he lived.
In 1921, at the age of - years, he came
to Wellington from Otis. Stalwart, of
iron nerve and frame, he walked from
his home In Massachusetts, to found
his new home in Ohio, with his worldly
effects In his pack of sixty pounds,
which he carried upon his back. The
earliest settlers came In 1919, preceding
him only two years in their attack upon
the wilderness.
When Mr.. Webster came, the first
Sunday the settlers gathered at the house
Of Harmon Kingsbury, to talk with him
of, the friends. tney had left at Otis,
and learn the hews from that then tar
of land. The day was spent il. social
converse, and in visiting an Indian camp
In the forest.
Mr.. Webster's sense Of the fitness of
things at once told him that was no fit
way depending Sunday If Sunday was
ignored because there was no preacher
and but one professor of religion in the
the day would soon pass
away from memory and children would
growup regardless Of God or man. He,
though not a protesting Christian, went
from settlers cabin to cabin and made
for religious meetings on
Sunday thereafter and appointed a meet
ing at the house of Mrs. Bradley, where
E. w. Houghton now lives. When Sum
day came, at the given hour the settlers
came together. Harmon Kingsbury did
the praying and Russell B. Webster read
the sermon from a book of sermons
found In the colony. That was the first
meeting ever held In Wellington-held
the second Sunday after he arrived.
He returned to Massachusetts, the next
year, aud married Miss Orpha Hunter,
who still survives him. He Joined the.
First Congregational Church of yelling
ton, Oct. 16, 1882, and from that time to
his final exit from time, he was
and jealous member. He |
was not excitable in his religious ex-
perience, but uniformly sedate and even.
minded. With unwavering footsteps he
trod the journey of life to the end.
In sickness and In distress his friend |
ship was the solace to many broken
hearts. His cares were never so numer-
Gus or pressing but that they gave way |
at the call of the sick. Night and day he |
stood by the pioneers bedside, and with |
hands as gentle as woman's, minister
ed to his wants. His care and te nder-
ness saved more than the physicians
skill.
In politics he was n Who until tho