Sent by the BARRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY (right top corner of page written by hand, 121 – copy sent appears to have been stuck (damaged) in copy machine and very hard to read) *none of these articles are dated. WILLIAM LAMBERT RUSSELL, M. D. Born Oct. 28, 1799 Died May 6, 1899 The death of DR. RUSSELL removes from Barre one of its ancient landmarks. The children of two generations remember him as one well advanced in years, and there are few living who can remember him as a young man. His friends – and all who knew him were his friends – fondly hoped that his life would round out a full hundred years, and that he would be privileged to enter the twentieth century as a survivor of the eighteenth, but it was not to be. Preserving his faculties to the last, to a remarkable degree, he gently fell asleep, on last Saturday, with the sleep which knows no earthly awakening. DR. RUSSELL was the eldest son of JAMES and MARY (BUTLER) RUSSELL, of Carlisle, Mass. There were three brother and one sister, of whom one brother survives him. He was a farmer’s boy, and he purchased a liberal education with hand toil and close economy. He attended Groton Academy, and taught his first school at seventeen years of age. He taught successfully for several terms, both before and after his graduation from Harvard (bottom of page missing from copy) of his death. He became principal of Lexington Academy in 1828; studied medicine with Doctors PROCTOR, of Lexington, DOANE, of Boston, and WYMAN of the McLean Asylum, and received the degree of M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1831. He then settled permanently in Barre, where he practiced medicine for twenty years. In 1836 he married MARY ANN, daughter of CALVIN and CAROLINE (CARTER) WARREN, of Hubbardston, who died in 1892, since which time he has been most tenderly cared for by his youngest daughter, MARIANNE and her husband MR. J. C. BARTHOLOMEW, at his own home. A son died in early childhood, and his eldest daughter, CAROLINE, wife of the late WILLIAM HOWLAND, of Lynn, died several years ago; her daughter, MISS BERTHA HOWLAND, of Cambridge, is DR. RUSSELL’s only surviving grandchild. DR. RUSSELL’s habits were domestic, and life for him was centered in his home, but he had excellent business qualities, and was conscientious in his professional, public and social duties. He was at the time of his death, and has been for many years, a director of the National Bank, and attended a meeting of the Board only a few days before his death, manifesting his usual keen interest in the proceedings. He served long and well as a member of the school committee, and is remembered by teachers and pupils who were under his jurisdiction, as one who scrupulously held them to high standards of work and scholarship. He maintained his interest in public affairs to the last, was well posted in foreign as well as domestic news, and was always on the side of good order and public improvements. He was a staunch Republican in politics, well versed in party principles, and never failed to vote. He was a Unitarian in religious faith, always ready to give reason for the hope that was in him, and devoutly attached to the First Parish society. Rarely was he absent from his place in church, until the infirmities of age made his attendance (missing bottom of page) subscriptions to the Christian Register. His loyalty to his church was a perfect as his loyalty to his party and his country. His memory will be cherished by the church and the parish, as fragrant with earnestness and brotherly kindness. An original member of Unity Club, he never lost his interest in it, and was present at its last meeting, genial and gracious to all, as was his habit. At home, in the social circle, or in the street, DR. RUSSELL was always the courteous gentleman. He was glad to greet his friends both old and young. He easily kept touch with the young: for the fountain of youth was perennial in his nature. Age could not wither his spirit; indeed it could hardly bend his body to do it homage. Temperate in all things. Active in habit, diligent in business, careful in conduct, Time laid his hand lightly upon him. He loved life, but death had no terrors for him. Doubtless he wished to live to be one hundred years old; but perhaps his friends and fellow townsmen desired it for him more than he cared for it himself. He was ready to enter upon life in new conditions, when the time should come. He would not hesitate to say that God’s time for him would be the right time, - the best time. And so, the children of his love, the friends of his old age, the fellow citizens whose respect he won and kept so long, while they regret that they shall see his face no more on earth, cannot fail to echo the words of (? ) written in memory of another life like his: (copy so poor and dark will not attempt) ends with initial, A. F. B. (This item appears to be another clipping with no heading) It is a pity that the life of the late DR. WILLIAM L. RUSSELL could not have been prolonged for at least six months more in order to have permitted him to complete the 100th year upon which he entered last October. This would have enabled Harvard University to reckon a continuation in the list of her oldest living graduates, which would have been something of a distinction on the score of longevity among the alumni. No one who met this venerable man in the later years of his life was able to realize that he was born in the last century. Almost up to the day of his death he was as alert, physically and mentally, as he was at threescore and ten. His death appears to have been as unlooked for as if his years had not far exceeded the limit of life allotted to man. It is again the unexpected that has happened, however, and the title of Harvard’s oldest living graduate passes on to the next alumnus in point of seniority. - Boston Herald. (Undated unnamed newspaper) The funeral of DR. W. L. RUSSELL was held from his late residence Wednesday, GEORGE W. COOK conductor and REV. A. F. BAILEY officiating. The pall bearers were L. G. ROGERS, A. G. WHEELOCK, GEORGE P. KING, CHAS. H. FOLLANSBY, DR. GEO. A. BROWN, and DR. HENRY J. WALCOTT, JR. Interment was in the family lot at Glen Valley. The floral tributes were elegant and profuse. As the funeral train started from the house the bell tolled a solemn requiem as the procession wended its way to the last resting place of him who in life had taken so deep and earnest an interest in all that pertained to its society. =====================================