John W. Russell ²⁵³

The Lewiston Daily Sun
Lewiston, Maine
August 31, 1964
p. 2

JOHN RUSSELL

PROMINENT BUSINESSMAN AND RESIDENT DIES IN AUGUSTA

PHILLIPS -- John W. Russell, 85, prominent Phillips resident and veteran businessman, died Sunday at an Augusta hospital where he had been a patient for three weeks.

Born August 10, 1879 in Avon, he was the son of Frank and Anginette Irish Russell. He graduated from Weld High School and a Portland business college. Oct. 5, 1910, he married Velma Walker of Farmington. He started his business career more than 60 years ago when he was employed as a clerk by the late Joe Wilbur and Son and later by C.H. McKenzie and Company. In 1908, a partnership was formed with the late Frank S. Haley at Grange Store, Phillips Upper Village. In 1922, he bought out Haley and continued the business at that location for 25 years. He them moved to the store now occupied by Webber's Market and in 1950 to the J.W. Russell Store in Beal Block, which he sold in 1961 to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kinney. He was a past worshipful master and a 50 year veteran of the Blue Mountain Lodge, AF and AM; a past worthy patron of Sherburne Chapter, OES; and was the oldest living member of Mt. Saddleback Lodge, IOOF, having joined 57 years ago. He was a member of the Phillips Chamber of Commerce and Men's Club and served as a member of the Phillips School Board for more than 40 years. A member of the local Board of Selectman and the town treasurer, he was honored by the towns people at the 1960 Old Home Week celebration.

Surviving are his widow; a daughter, Mrs. Marianne Fellows, Bucksport; a son, Wayne, Phillips; four grandchildren; and two sisters, Miss Mary Russell, Farmington; and Miss Alice Russell, RN, Portland.

  Events

• He worked as a shoe merchant and dry goods merchant.

• He had a residence in Phillips, Franklin County, Maine.

• He appeared on the census in 1920 in Phillips, Franklin County, Maine. He was head of household and property owner.

• He appeared on the census in 1930 in Phillips, Franklin County, Maine. He was head of household and owned property valued at $2,500.

John married Velma J. Walker, daughter of Eben Jones Walker and Frances Ellen Knapp, 5 October 1910 in Farmington, Franklin County, Maine.²⁵³ (Velma J. Walker was born 3 January 1885 in New Portland, Somerset County, Maine,⁶⁰⁵⁷ died 27 February 1970 in Rockland, Knox County, Maine ^6057,6058 and was buried after 27 February 1970 in Phillips, Franklin County, Maine at Evergreen Cemetery ⁶⁰⁵⁷.)