Another William Russell from Ireland: History of Butler County Pennsylvania, 1895 R.C.Brown Co., Publishers 1891 Biographical Sketches, Chapter 70 (Pgs. 775-831) http://www.rootsweb.com/~pabutler/ WILLIAM RUSSELL was born in Down county, Ireland, in 1820, and when six years of age his parents immigrated to Philadelphia, where he grew to manhood, receiving in the public schools of that city a common school education. He came to Butler county when a young man, and purchased property in Harrisville, Mercer township. He followed school teaching for some years, and in 1849 went to California and remained on the Pacific coast twenty-six years, then returned to Butler, where he died October 20, 1885, at the home of his son, Alexander. In 1837 Mr. RUSSELL married Sarah BUCHANAN, a daughter of Alexander BUCHANAN, of Mercer township, to which union were born seven children, as follows: Martha, who married Dr. McCONNELL, of Mercer township; Alexander; David H.; Mary, wife of Stewart DUNCAN, of Mercer county; Nancy J., wife of Henry WATSON, of Clarion county, and two that died in infancy. Mr. RUSSELL and wife were members of the United Presbyterian church. Politically, he was a Republican, and filled the office of justice of the peace for some years. ALEXANDER RUSSELL, eldest son of William and Sarah RUSSELL, was born in Harrisville, Butler county, November 19, 1840, received a common school education, and completed his studies at the Rimersburg Academy and the Harrisville High School, then under the principalship of Dr. W.T. HAMILTON. Mr. RUSSELL followed school teaching for many years, and in 1878 was elected, on the Democratic ticket, prothonotary of Butler county, and filled the office to the satisfaction of the people. Since 1888 he has been deputy prothonotary, under Mr. BROWN and Mr. SEATON, the latter being the present incumbent. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was mustered into the service at Harrisburg, and served in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, when his term of service having expired, he was honorably discharged, May 26, 1863. Mr. RUSSELL is a member of the A.G. Reed Post, G.A.R., of Butler, of which he has been commander. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, has filled the office of elder in that society, and is one of the leading members of the Democratic party in Butler county. In 1868 he married Ann Eliza CONWAY, a daughter of Hugh CONWAY, of Cherry township, and has a family of four children, viz: William G.; Della; Sadie, and John.