The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-12-12
PHILIP M. RUSSELL DEAD.
He Was So Years Old and One of sa-
yaunah;s Best-K aOwn Citizens.

died at / O'Clock yesterday afternoon.
Death had been expected for more thah
twenty-four hours, and as 1t came ne
said, II am going"
Having passed the allotted three
scora Years and ten by almost another
score. Judge Russell had been for the
last wear growing more infirm. Al
though the decay of age was at work.
he kent on his feet and fought death
away more than once when ne was
within its grasp. Little more than
week ago he was stricken for the last
time.
ebbing away, his fndomitable spirit
remained with him. 1t was this
remarkable spirit, and unusual
strength, that kept the breath of life
in his body so long. His physicians
had given him up.
While death was expected, the shock
IT caused is none the less great. Judge
Russell was a landmark. He occupied
a distinctive position in the commun-
Sty in which he was born and reared,
IND in which he passed away His
funeral will take place at O'Clock
Sunday afternoon from his late resi-
dence. No. 30 CASTOR street, west. In
the family lot in Laurel Grove Gene
terry his remains viii be laid at rest.
The funeral will be attended by repre-
sentatives Of the Republican Blues,
DeKalb Lodge of Odd Fellows, Myrtle
Lodge, knights of Pythias, Savannah
Tribe of Red men and the German
Friendly Society.
Judge Russell. as he was best known,
was born in Savannah. Dec. II. 1915.
His father was Isaac Russell. and his
mother Perla Sheftall Russell. His an
Cestors came TO this country with Gen.
Oglethorpe, were among the first set
tiers of Savannah. and were identified
with the history of the Revolutionary
War. Judge Russell, in consequence of
delicate health. was unable to attend
school in childhood, and obtained his
education in later years through his
own exertions. At the age of Is he
began the study of law, under the SUI
pervision of his uncle. Hon. Mordecai
Sheftal, ST., at that time a leading
member of the Savannah bar and af-
terward for years judge of the Court
OF Common Pleas. and oyer and ter
miner of the city of Savannah. to
which position he was elected by the
Legislature.
Before completing his law course,
Judge Russell was married. Sept. 10,
1894, to Miss Elizabeth c. Ferre. of
Philadelphia. daughter of Lewis and
Sarah (Springer) Ferre, and having
been solicited TO take the position Of
collector of the Savannah. Ogeechee
and Altamaha Canal Company. he
abandoned the law for the more lu-
crative income derived from that Of
nee. In 1885 he was elected consta-
BILE for the Second Georgia Militia dis
trict, and continued in that position for
eight years. During a portion of that
time he was also dep
uty sheriff of Chatham county
and during another portion deputy
United States marshal, under Col. VIM.
1. Davis, in all of which positions he
made many PERSONAL and political
friends, by urbanity of character and
strict attention to and impartial dis
charge of his official duties. On the
18th of June, lS43. he was elected to
the office of sheriff. of the city of Sa@
vannah. On April 3. 1914 he was elect
ed justice of the peace in the First
district, over one other Democrat and
a Wing by majority Of twenty-five
While holding this office he was APP
pointed INSPECTOR of customs by the
collector, Gen. Edward Harden. Hav-
ing removed TO the Second district. at
an election of the justice of the peace,
III January, 1916, Judge Russell was
again elected. receiving the highest
vote.
While yet a justice of the peace he
was elected clerk of the Court of Com
mon Pleas. and oyer and terminer of
the city of Savannah on Jan. 1, 1850.
In January, 1853. he was elected city
marshal of Savannah, filing that Of
flee till January, 1855.
In the meantime the Know-Nothing
party had come into power which pre-
vented his becoming a candidate for
that or any other position. During that
year he devoted his time to the study
of law, also acting as clerk in the
United States Circuit and District
Courts, and in January. 1856. a Demo-
cratic administration having succeed
ed the Know Nothings, he again be-
came candidate for clerk of the City
Court of Savannah. was elected. and
had the Office to the breaking cut of the
war in 1861.
In 1888 Judge Russell became a
member of the Republican Blues,
favorite volunteer company of the
First Regiment Georgia Volunteers, in
which he retained his membership un-
III his death. At the entrance
OF the company into active
service, by occupancy of Fort Pulaski,
Judge Russell was detailed to look af-
ter the comfort of families of his fell
low-members in service and at the or
ganization of state forces under Gov
Browns administration he was COM
missioned as captain and commisa ryy
VI subsistence, ana assigned to duty
with Col Harkie's regiment, Gen. G.
i. Harrison's brigade, discharging the
duties of such until incapacitated from
field service by a severe attack of ty-
phoid fever, when he resigned his COM
mission.
In September, 1868. JudgeFRussell be-
came a candidate for the I.eeislatur
being personal and sincere admirer
OF Coy. Brown. and being DESTROYS of
benefiting the families of absent SOL
diers, he consented to the use of his
name, and at the election in October.
or that year, was returned by large
majority. In 1865 he became a candi-
date for reelection. and was chosen
by the highest vote in the county. AT
the expiration OF this legislative tern,
having become re-enfranchised under
the reconstruction acts, Judge Russell
resumed his position as clerk of the
court, and continued therein. Having
also resumed the study of law during
the years he held the Offices Of magis-
trate and clerk Judge Russell applied
Tor admission to the bar in June. 1871.
and, after a creditable examination.
was admitted to practice in the sew
eral courts of this state and subse-
Quently to the Supreme Court and to
the United States Circuit Court
In IS16 he received thirty-nine OF the
rorty-two votes present In the county
Democratic convention, and was again
elected to the Legislature, leading his
ticket by " votes and was reelected
IN 1877 by a majority OF two hum
dreu and ninety-nine over his highest
opponent. In November, 1886. he was
again elected to the Legisla ture bv a