The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-07-26
Death OF One OF Anderson County's Oldest
Citizens.

Maj. Thomas H. Russell died at the
home of his son, b. f. Russell, at VIII
ilamston last Monday morning. He
had been quite feeble for several
| months. and his death was expected
| at any time. Maj. Russell was a most
worthy. upright man, and leaves o
Miue cirCie OF friende and relatives,
VINO Wh0 will long cherish his memory.
me following sketch of his life was
| Gontributod to the columns Of The
lily: ~ ~ A'' 1"li
I, Mai; Thos; Il. Russell, Sr., was born
Sept. 10. 1890, on Cane Creek, in what
was then old Pendleton district, but
now Oconee county. Hs was the old
eat child of David and Mary Hogan
Russeil and grandson of Lieut.. Thos.
Russell of the Continental army in the
revolution, who died in johnson
county. Ala, nearly 90 years ago at the
age Of 103. His educational advan-
tages were confined to the old field
echools or that day. In his boyhood
ne wan an apprentice in the office of
the old PendletOn Messenger under
Prlntcr John Miller, who fled from
England for completely in the publica-
fion OF the letters OF Junire. John T..
Calhoun was frequent contributor to
the columns of The Messenger. Mr.
Calhoun wrote miserable hand, and
for long time Mr.. Russell, though
but boy. was the only one in the office
who could read it, Mr.. Calhoun took
great fancy. to him, and when he
brought an article to the office would
insist on young Russell reading it to
him IN order to be cure that he under
| on the old Southern Rose in Charles-
| In the early 30s, making the journey
70 Charleston on u cotton wagon, and
later returning as far as Columbia
on the South Carolina railroad, the
first railroad of any length in the
On Dec. 1s, 1889, he was married
to Martha Jane Hamilton, the second
daughter Of the late u. X Hamilton,
and the marriage was solemnized by
the late Rev. J. l.. Kennedy of Thalisn
academy fame. To this union were
born 12 children, d. H., Thomas W.,
W. w., Edward A.. George w, B.
Rank, Emma now Mrs. VIM. Guyton
Sf H Blecksb1rg.) Mary lnow Mrs: w. A.
dead John A., Louis A. and Martha
j.. both of the latter being dead.
Eight of these children are living,
| together with 40 grandchildren and 20
great grandchildren. His first wife
predeceased him about 20 years ago,
and his second wife, who was Miss
Eliza EcCollum, predeceased him
He was elected major of the old 42nd
regiment OF State militia in 1S47 and
| served for several years. In 1B48 he
| moved to Anderson an purchased an
interest in the Anderson Gazette with
the late Archie Todd as q printer, and
continued the publication OF tho paper
out to j. W. Harrison g. t Co.. Ib bnt
Moi. Russell continued as the publish
or until 1856, when he moved to the old
home in the Slabtown section, where
he continued to reside until 1889, when
he broke up the old home and became
an inmate Of the family Of his son, B.
Frank; at WilliamstOn: He was in
rian Church &C Anderson in 1866 uSder
the pastor to of Rev. r. H. Reid, snd
for 55 years he served in the eldership,
| 90 years of which he was in old Car
mel church, and there his body was
| laid to rest yesterday by the side of
| his wife and kindred dust.
| Maj. Russell was an ardent supporter
or the Lost Cause, to which he gave
past the military age, he himself vol
unto6To1 and Was elected Captain OF
60. A, in the first regiment Of State
troops and served in Charleston and
elsewhere until the company was dis
banded. In 1866 he was elected to
the legislature from Anderson district:
along with Hon. zB. F. Crayton and L.
| n. Wright, enc served until the legis-
lature was disbanded by military or
der. After the war be accepted the
situation and went back to his farm to
try to retrieve his broken fortunes.
In 1870 he represented the South Car
oilna Presbytery In the general assem-
bly, at Louisville. -
His last years have been spent in
great pesce and comfort in the families
OF hls children. The last few months
have been months Of great feeblenUss,
mental as we'll as physical. but during
1t all his faith in the Redeemer has
been growing stronger and brighter,
"shlnlDg more and more unto the
perfect day" There came no sick-
ness and suffering to him, but the cam
die of life just burned down and went
| out. a,
While not an eventful life his was a
long and useful life, the memory of
which will be fragrant to them while
life lasts and be to them tho heritage
of good name. And it is pleasant
thought to them that'a gledsome re-
union has come to father and mother
and brothers and sisters in the presence
OF the Great King, and that they
are all at home In "their ain coun-
trien -