St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-22
r.. p. RUSSELL GONE.
BY His Death minneapolis Loses One
of Her Oldest Settlers.

With the passing away of Roswell
P. Russell Minneapolis loses one of
her first settlers. He was one OF the
Flour Citys first business men, ami
his life has been one of intimate con-
nection with the growth and prosperity
of this city. His death occurred yes
terday at his home, $500 Hennepin ave-
nue.. 1t has been apparent for days
that the end was not far away, but the
wonderful vitality of the patient pro-
longed the struggle beyond all expec-
tation. Yesterday noon a sinking
spell came ON, and from that time until
death Mr.. Russell was in a semicon-
scious condition and unable to recog-
niZe those about him.
The deceased was born at Richmond. Chit
tenden county. VT, March 49, 1920. At the
NJ Rice, left his paternal roof and sought
the excitement and adventure of the West.
Several years were spent in Detroit and Kali
amazoo Mich. when he was asked to assist
in disposing Of a stock of goods at the almost
unknown frontier post of Fort Smelling Early
in the fall of 1899 he started. He had ad-
fort on Nov. 8. Mr. Rice and Mr.. Russell
started right into business, their customers
being the soldiers and the Indians. The lat
ter staid at the fort until 1S47 when he be-
came interested in st. Anthony and the fol-
lowing year became a permanent resident
In 1S4S Mr.. Russell opened store in the
Steele. The business was conducted here for
four or five years. AT this time, the year
1S48, Mr.. Russell married the daughter of
Luther Patch, Marian event which stirred
the society Of the small town. A married life
of some forty-seven years has resulted. and
the couple has been blessed by ten children,
seven of whom are living at the present time.
The claim of David German, which extend
ed from Lake of the Isles across the ter
ritorial road. which is now Hennepin avenue
was purchased by Mr.. Russell in 1851. In
1854 the family moved from the East side to
South, and here resided until 1885, when the
present homestead, at $500 Hennepin avenue
was built.
Mr.. Russell was appointed receiver of the
United States land office established here in
1854 and held the office for three years. He
was called upon to render many important
decisions on contested land cases. and his
findings were always respected. The land
office building was located at Washington and
Eighth avenue south, and was the best build
ing in the town.
In 1850 he was commissioner of Ramsey
county and 1858 saw him chairman of the
board of supervisors of Hennepin county. In
1853 he was elected to the territorial house of
representatives from st. Anthony, with DR..
e. B. Ames. from Minneapolis. With Hon.
Robert Smith he became interested in the
government mill property at the falls, and
one of the first board of directors
of the Minneapolis Mill company, which was
chartered in 1856. In 1S49 he served as d.
rector of the st. Anthony Library association,
and In 1858, director of the Mississippi Bridge
company that built the first suspension
bridge. He was early member of brick
company which made the yellow brick used
in the construction of the best buildings.
In 1856 he was director of the union board
of trade, and in 1858 he purchased the hard
ware stock OF Spear & Davidson. and con-