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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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DAVID B. RUSSELL, a representative of an old settled family of Southampton township, was born at the old Russell homestead, near Cleversburg, March 9, 1854. The founder of the American branch of the family was John Russell, a native of Ireland, who to better his fortunes and to make a home for his loved ones, came to America and located first in New Jersey, and then in the fertile Valley of the Cumberland, and there his son, John, Jr., was born.

William Russell, son of John, Jr., was born in Southampton township, in 1826, and on starting out in life for himself chose, as his life occupation, farming, the work to which his whole time had been devoted. For many years, also, he manufactured hard lumber. He married Sarah A. Bowers, who was born in Southampton township Sept. 1, 1828, and who died Sept. 9, 1876. William Russell passed away June 21, 1899. Their six children were as follows: George A., David B., Mary B., William N., Alice E. (wife of John Duyerman, of Cumberland county, Pa.), and Jesse E.

David B. Russell was given good advantages for securing a liberal education. After receiving his preliminary education in the district schools he entered the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, where he remained for several terms, acquiring a very thorough training. For some time after leaving school he engaged in the mercantile business, but finding it not to his liking, he sold out and returned to the old Russell homestead, and purchasing the interests of the other heirs came into sole possession of it. Here he has continued to make his home, and he is carrying on general farming, and also operates a portable sawmill, and manufactures hard lumber. Like his father before him, he is public spirited and always interested in the success of his chosen political party — the Republican. For the past six years he has served as a member of the school board, and has also been justice of the peace and county trustee. Socially, he belongs to the Royal Arcanum. He is a member (as was his father) of the Evangelical Church.

In 1882, Mr. Russell was married to Dessie J. Hoch, daughter of Henry B. and Jane (Coffey) Hoch. The following children have been born of this union: Daisy J., Helen H., Richard Blain, Nellie C., David Bruce and Arthur Biddle. The name of Russell has always been synonymous with honesty and uprightness. The four generations in this country John, John, Jr., William and David B., have been rigidly honest, and possessing good common sense, have been successful in their undertakings. They have been of kindly disposition, charitable to those in need of aid or sympathy, and all have been respected.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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