File contributed by: Donald Buncie.
Died, at his residence in Washington township, on Saturday last, the 1st inst.,William Russell, Esq., aged 80 years. Mr. Russell was born of Irish parents at Cornwall Furnace, Lebanon county, in 1791. When he was quite a child his father moved to Lancaster, where he died. From that place the subject of this sketch removed to this County in 1837, when the old Portage Rail Road was in the full tide of successful experiment, and in that year erected at the foot of Plane No. 2 the large hotel building known as the "Washington House," of which he was the proprietor for two years. He was subsequently engaged for many years in the mercantile and lumbering business. During his residence in Lancaster he was an active and leading politician in the democratic ranks, and was the warm and devoted friend of James Buchanan. Their mutual esteem and friendship remained uninterrupted, and one of the last letters that Mr. Buchanan wrote was addressed by him a few weeks before his death (in 1868) to his old and cherished friend William Russell. "Old Billy Russell," as he was familiarly called, was a man of undoubted integrity, and will be remembered for his generous impulses and great kindness of heart. Peace to his ashes. |
