Luther Russell
Luther Russell (deceased) born November 9, 1801, in West Windsor, Conn., was descended from William Russell, who early emigrated from England. His father, Return Russell, was born in West Windsor, Conn., March 1, 1778. His mother, Jerusha (Osborn) Russell, was born December 20, 1780, in Connecticut. They left their Connecticut home when our subject was a child and settled in Rodman, Jefferson Co., N. Y., whence they removed to Ohio in 1822. They soon joined the Shaker Society near Cleveland and here lived, died and were buried. Luther, the eldest of eleven children, remained in Rodman to settle up his father's business. The children were very fond of their father, who, physically, was large and well developed. He was genial, intelligent and agreeable. He died October 5, 1834. They also reverenced their gentle and loving mother, who died March 23, 1854, having lived a life of self-sacrifice. Of the members of the family who joined the Shakers only two remain with the Society, the other members of the family living in different States, excepting Mrs. Nelson Phillips, of Cleveland, and Samuel S. Russell, of Mantua. The latter was born May 14, 1807, and September 15, 1840, he was chosen by the Shaker Society Presiding Elder, which position he filled satisfactorily until August 19, 1858, when he withdrew, leaving a prosperous membership of about 200. The interest he still maintains and the affection and confidence the Society has in him, are manifested by the many pressing invitations to return. In 1867 he became a resident of Mantua, where he still survives, a worthy and respected citizen. His estimable wife died December 26, 1883. In June, 1823, Luther Russell came to Ohio and March 13, 1828, he was married to Polly Russell, of Aurora Township, Portage Co., Ohio, born March 25, 1806, in Chester, Mass., daughter of Samuel Russell, born January 14, 1781, in West Windsor, Conn., and Hepsabeth (Ellsworth) Russell, born August 30, 1785. Her parents came to Aurora Township, this county, in 1811, after a long and toilsome journey on foot, horseback and in cart, and they were soon settled and contented in their new home in the Western Reserve. Here they died, the father June 8, 1863, and the mother February 6, 1837. In 1830 Luther, with his wife, located on a farm in Streetsboro Township, this county, where they lived, toiled and endured such hardships as befall the early settlers of a new country, and in after years they took pleasure in relating to their children many incidents of pioneer life. In his early life our subject was deprived of elaborate educational advantages, but during his mature years he devoted considerable time to study. In politics he was a life-long Democrat, and took a deep interest in public affairs. In 1845-46 he represented the county in the State Legislature. For many years he filled the office of Justice of the Peace, acceptably not only to his own political party, but to his entire township. In all his acts he aimed to be true to his convictions of truth and right. Not finding satisfaction in the orthodox faith, he espoused the cause of Spiritualism and was firm in the belief that this life would continue after death. Happy in this belief he died August 5, 1878, after an illness of fourteen months, during which he received the most devoted care at the hands of his family. His children were Martin L., born December 29, 1829, died July 2, 1855; Cynthia M., born May 22, 1832, died December 25, 1834; Sarah E.. born June 3, 1834; Marion B., born November 10, 1837, died January 18, 1879; Helen M., born November 16, 1841, married to Johnson J. Sadler, both deceased, former November 28, 1881, latter May 19, 1882 (their daughter Nellie Agnes, born September 24, 1874, now resides with her grandmother, the widow of Luther Russell). Chester N., son of Newell Russell, was another orphan who found a home with Mr. Russell. He was brought from Quincy, Ill., April 28, 1864, at the age of nine years. His father served in the late war and at the death of the mother, Laura Lola and Charles H. were brought to the same happy home of their brother—Chester N. Laura Lola married Walter A. Folger, of Akron, Ohio. Her sister Agnes V. is now Mrs. J. H. Seaton, residing in Omaha, Neb., and her eldest brother, Frank P., is a physician in Suffield Township, this county. A portrait of Luther Russell will be found elsewhere in this volume.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885