My Genealogy Hound

EMMETT B. RUSSELL. The business interests of Watkins have for years had an able representative in the gentleman named, who, having made this place his home since boyhood, is intimately associated with the development of its material interests and has been an important factor in its growth and progress. To him and such as he, is largely due the enviable reputation enjoyed by the village as a business and commercial center. His principal industry is the wholesale hay business, in which, as the senior member of the firm of Russell & Co., he has a large trade, handling hay not only from this, but also from adjoining counties.

Born in Steuben County, N. Y., November 19, 1844, Mr. Russell is of direct English descent. The family had been driven to Holland by religious persecution, and from that country came to America, becoming pioneers of eastern New York. The grandfather, Benjamin Russell, was a prominent resident of Ulster County, and his family was one of the last in his state to hold slaves.

The father of our subject, also named Benjamin, was born in Ulster County, N. Y., in 1810, and for fifty years was an active minister of the Presbyterian Church. He married Harriet Whitcomb, a native of New Hampshire, who in childhood removed to Allegany County, N. Y. Of their three sons and three daughters who attained years of maturity, Emmett B. was the youngest. His boyhood days were passed in Schuyler County and in the state of Michigan, whither he had accompanied his parents when young, there attending the seminary at Ypsilanti. On their return to New York he settled with them in Tyrone. Later he read medicine with Dr. Nichols, of Weston, Schuyler County, and subsequently entered the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he continued his studies for two years. Returning from there to Watkins, he formed a partnership with Martin S. Phinney, under the firm name of Phinney & Russell, and embarked in the drug business, building up a large and profitable trade. At the death of Mr. Phinney, which occurred in 1875, the business was closed out. Mr. Russell then began the handling of hay, which he has since carried on with success.

The marriage of Mr. Russell, which occurred in 1872, united him with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Lockwood, of Watkins. They, with their two children, Elizabeth L. and Esther I., occupy a comfortable residence on Terrace Hill. The political belief of Mr. Russell has caused him to ally himself with the Republican party, the principles of which he always supports. Upon that ticket he has been chosen to occupy a number of positions of trust and responsibility in the community. In 1889 he was elected a member of the Board of Education, and is still serving in that capacity, having been President of the board for a time. With his wife, he holds membership in the First Presbyterian Church of Watkins.