ROBERT H. RUSSELL (deceased) was one of the leading and prosperous citizens of Chartiers township. In business circles he stood in the front rank of prosperous and enterprising stockmen, in social life he was equally renowned for a generous, affectionate disposition, and in religious faith he was a devoted and liberal churchman. His father, Andrew Russell, was born January 3, 1777, in Cecil township, this county, coming with his parents to Chartiers township when about two years of age. In 1800 he was married to Ann McClellan, who was born in 1784, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and after marriage began to manage the home farm. He was a Whig, taking an active part in the early political history of the county; he had a brother who served in the war of 1812. In religious faith he was first a Seceder, then joined the U. P. Church at Canonsburg. He died March 2, 1861, in his eighty-fourth year, being followed by his wife February 17, 1868, who had borne him children as follows: Jane (wife of Samuel Lee, deceased January 24, 1880); Isabelle (deceased in 1845, wife of William McCall); James (deceased in January, 1890, married in 1844 to Elizabeth McElroy); Ann (living in New Concord, Ohio); Elizabeth (deceased January 10, 1868, in her sixty-fifth year, married to Robert Jeffrey, of Mt. Pleasant township); Andrew (deceased in April, 1891, married April 18, 1839, to Jane Miller); Alexander (deceased September 29, 1886, in his seventy-eighth year, married first to Margaret Ann Acheson(deceased), then to Lavina Calkins); Robert (deceased in May, 1887; first married to Elizabeth McConaughey, then to Martha Jane McNary); John (living in Chartiers township, married to Elizabeth G. Morrison), John Russell, died January 16, 1893, after a brief illness; William (married to Margaret Thompson, who died in 1892, living in Chartiers township) and Nancy (deceased in 1849). Robert H. Russell was born in 1819, in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn., being reared and educated in the district schools of the township. He was first married to Elisabeth McConaughey, who died within a few years. On May 17, 1858, he made a second choice in the person of Martha Jane McNary, daughter of William and granddaughter of John McNary. John McNary was married to Jane Hill, and in 1784 made a permanent settlement in North Strabane township, this county. They were both members of the Seceder Church. William H. McNary was united in marriage with Margaret Murray, daughter of George Murray, who came from Scotland in an early day, and was married to Mary Reed. In 1832 he moved from North Strabane township to Chartiers township, where he died, being followed by his wife three years afterward.
Robert H. and Martha Jane Russell began married life on one of the finest farms in Chartiers township, where his widow is still living, which he had purchased in 1845. Mr. Russell took pride and pleasure in making all possible improvements upon his farm, having erected a handsome brick dwelling and good outbuildings. He was especially interested in raising sheep, having been one of the charter members of the National Delaine Merino Sheep Breeders' Association. In religion he was an earnest worker in the Chartiers United Presbyterian Church, having been a member of the Session for twenty-three years. He also served as elder, and always contributed to the Master's cause to the utmost of his ability. He passed from earth May 17, 1887, and his widow is yet residing on the old place. Many hearts were saddened by the loss of this honorable, generous, Christian man, for in this world such characters are rarely found and are sorely missed when called away.
L. A. RUSSELL, one of the most prominent business men of Washington county, has devoted his time to stock raising, making a specialty of breeding sheep, and has achieved an enviable success in that business. He is a representative of an old and honored pioneer family of this county. He is a son of William and grandson of Andrew Russell, whose father was born in 1723, in Scotland, coming to America in 1758, where he was united in marriage with Isabel Mays, a native of Ireland. They first settled near Oxford, Chester Co., Penn., then went to Canonsburg, and in 1782 bought the home farm in Chartiers township. He was a blacksmith, and having brought his tools from eastern Pennsylvania, enjoyed a great deal of custom, having no competitor in that vocation.
Andrew Russell was born in 1777, in Cecil township, this county, and in 1782 came to a farm in Chartiers township, where he grow to manhood and was married to Ann McClellan. The couple passed their lives in their native county. Andrew Russell was a Whig, being an active worker in the party. He died in 1861, the wife and mother being laid to rest February 17, 1868. They were formerly members of the Associate Reformed Church, then united with the United Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg. They were the parents of eleven children.
William Russell was born October 10, 1825, in Chartiers township, Washington county, being the youngest child in his father's family. He was reared on the home farm, and educated in the subscription schools of the vicinity. In 1855 he was married to Margaret Jane Thompson, a native of Mt. Pleasant township, this county. She is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Wilson) Thompson, who were natives of Ireland, and of Scotch descent. They immigrated to America at an early day, and settled in Mt. Pleasant township, where Joseph Thompson passed the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits. He was actively interested in political questions; in religion he was united with the U. P. Church of Hickory, this county. His wife, who was a member of the Associate Reformed Church, died in 1847, and in 1861 he was laid by her side. After his marriage William Russell opened a book store in Canonsburg, this county, keeping a full line of school and college text-books. In 1862 he moved to a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, and in 1881 settled on the farm in Chartiers township which he now occupies. It consists of 135 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have had ten children, four of whom are now living, namely: L. A., William Frank (an operator at Bridgeville, Allegheny Co., Penn.), Mamie Bell Agnes, and Robert Lee (studying for the ministry at New Wilmington College). In politics William Russell is a Republican, and has served as supervisor and member of the school board. His wife died January 19, 1892. She was a member of the U. P. Church at Hickory, in which her husband was an elder, now being a member of the church at Houstonville.
L. A. Russell was born June 15, 1863, on the home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, being reared in Chartiers township. After attending the common schools he took a commercial course at the Iron City College, Pittsburgh, Penn., and graduated February 16, 1884. He then returned to the home place, and began to follow farming and stock raising. He raises a large amount of thoroughbred National Delaine Merino sheep, shipping them to all points in the United States. He is a member of the National Delaine Merino Sheep Association, and is one of the leading sheep breeders of Washington county, although some of his time is given to the raising of Shorthorn cattle. In 1884 and 1885 Mr. Russell made an exhibit at the New Orleans' Fair, where he was awarded eleven prizes on twelve sheep. He casts his ballot with the Republican party, and was chairman of this precinct during the Prohibition movement, securing many votes for the Amendment. In religious faith he is a member and trustee of the Chartiers United Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg, serving as a teacher in the Sabbath-school, and assistant leader in the choir. In business, social and religious circles, Mr. Russell has proven himself a zealous and active worker, and an ardent, capable leader.
Text taken from page 1297 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]