Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-27
Mrs. Judith 3. Russell
Ninety Years Old Friday

SkoWheGan. Me, Oct. 2G.--(SpeciaD.
Friday, Oct. 81, will be red letter day
in the home of Mr.. and Mrs Elmer L.
Greenwood on Madison avenue as Mrs.
Grcenwood's mother, Mrs. Judith Bad
ger Russell, is celebrating her Goth
birthday
Mrs. Russell was born october 81,
1882. in Hartland the oldest of three
daughters of Francis r. Longley and
Deborah Blackwell When she was
only a small child her father was
drowned and the family came to Mad
ison to live. Her two sisters died in
carly Womanhood so she is the only
one surviving ElenbeS Of her family.
When on'y Il girl, Mrs. Russell, as
did many another girl of that period,
went to Massachusetts to work in the
mill. She went to Ncwburyport and as
the steam train then came into Maine
only as far as :he present capital city
she was obliged to so as far as Au-
gusta by stage coach.
While in Ncwburyport, she united
with the Christian church. On No
vember II, 1919. at the age of II years.
she was married to Warren Russell. a
young farmer Of Madison. The cere-
mony was performed in Skowhegan
by the Rev. john p. Weston, pastor of
the Christian church.
All her married life. with the cycep-
ton of two years before MI. Eusscll's
death, which occurred in 130. which
they passed in the Greenwood home,
has been lived on the farm on the Rus
sell road from Madison to Skowhcgan.
Mrs Russell is the mother of four
children. Her two Oldest sons died
when they were small lads within
thsee days of each other one from in
jurics from being kicked by a horse
and the other from the then much
dreaded disease. diptheria. About a
year after the death of these two. chill
drcn, another son. Cony. Russell, who
is much respected and prominent
citizen of Norridgewock was born and
a later a little daughter, Mrs. Green
wood, came. bringing gladncss and
blessing to the Russell home.
On Nov. 18th, 1899 Mr.. and Mrs.
Russell observed their golden we'd
ding anniversary by giving an all
day party at their hospitable home,
where they entertained at dinner 80
guests, among them being relatives,
neighbors and friends of many years.
The decorations at this most delight
full party were golden chrysanthe-
NUNS. The event is still remem-
bered by many who were privileged
to attend.
For the past II years Mrs. Rus
sell has been totally blind, notwith-
standing this affliction she is ex-
ceedingly bright and cheerful, and as
she said to the representative of the
Kennebec Journal. she can hear we'll
and is keenly interested in all affairs
of the home. the town, the state and
nation. Mrs. Russell further stated
that she was anxious, upon the ar
rival of the Journal each morning to
have the Skowhegan news read to
her. Mrs. Russell has a delight
fully charming personality and it is
pleasure to call upon her and con-
verse with her.
Her mind is alert and is stored
with "reminiscences of many years of
varied life and the wonderful
changes brought about in the Amer
lean homes since the day she as a
bride began housekeeping. Mrs.
Russell in recalling the many diff
ferent vehicles of transportation durA
ing her lifetime, mentioned when
the vehicles were without springs of
any sort. until now we have the lux
urious automobiles end the air con-
veyances.
Mrs. Russell said that their home
was the first house in town to be
equipped with kerosene oil lamps
and tells in a humorous manner of
Mr.. Russell coming to town one day.
At the store of Neal & Wentworth
where he went to do some trading,
kerosene oil lamps were on display.
He took one lamp home on trial and
purchased one quart of kerosene oil.
This lamp was never returned as it