RUSSELL, Sylvester Wright
Source: Kingman Star 23 January 1914
SYLVESTER WRIGHT RUSSELL was found dead in the feedway of the barn at his home in Sylvania about 11 o’clock Monday. The body was first discovered by Mrs. Thain Russell, and it is supposed that the deceased had been dead about two hours. He had gone to the barn to do some feeding and when he did not return, his daughter-in-law became alarmed and went to look for him, knowing that he was subject to heart trouble. She found him lying on a pile of hay. About this time her husband, who had been to the coal bank, drove up. Neighbors were notified and the lifeless body was carried into the house. He was 63 years old and was one of the pioneers of that vicinity. He is survived by 2 sons and 2 daughters besides a number of other relatives and friends. The funeral was held at Rush Creek at 11 o’clock Wednesday, burial being made in the cemetery nearby. – S
SYLVESTER WRIGHT RUSSELL, son of John M. and Caroline Russell, was born at Sylvania, Parke Co. Indiana Sept 9, 1850. He was the second son and third child of a family of six. His father and two sisters, Orilla and Mary Ann, have already preceded him to the life beyond. His aged mother, two brothers and one sister survive him.
He was reared on the farm where he was born. After he was old enough to work he helped his father through the spring and summer with the farm work. He went to school in the winter time and applied himself well to his studies. He obtained a good education for his day. In his early manhood years, he taught three terms of school, one before and two after his marriage.
He was united in marriage to Eunice D. Lindley Oct 20, 1872. To this union were born two sons and three daughters: Isy, Osa, Leise, Ina and Thaine. For a little more than twenty-six years he and his chosen companion shared life’s joys and sorrows together. He was more than ordinary helpful in caring for the children through their infancy and early childhood. He loved his home and was very devoted to his wife and children. They all lived happily together in each other’s love till 15 years ago the 14 of this month, the dear home was bereft of the wife and mother. Through three years of declining health he nursed his companion most faithfully and tenderly, doing all in his power to alleviate her sufferings and minister to her necessities.
The following August the family were again bereft in the death of the oldest daughter and sister, Isy, who before her mothers death, had been united in marriage to Orris Heath. For several years after the death of his companion, he and the four younger children continued to live together in the old home. He was ever watchful over them, never leaving them alone at night.
In the last few years he has seen them all happily married and none are left with him in the home except his youngest son and family, who have done all they could to make the decline of life to him easy and pleasant. He had been poorly all winter having attacks of heart trouble. He had told his son some days ago that he thought the end of his life for him was near its close. No one
witnessed the close scene of his life on earth. In the barn and alone his spirit left its tabernacle of clay and entered into its life beyond. This ended his earthly career on the morning of Jan. 19, 1914.
As a man, we can truthfully say that his outward life was above reproach. He was honest and truthful and upright in all his dealings with his fellow men. He was a good citizen, and a kind and helpful neighbor. He never joined any church organization but he believed in the Bible and spent many of his lonely hours reading its sacred pages and no doubt found comfort and consolation therein. While he never expressed himself very freely in words as to his faith, those who knew him best believe that he gave evidence in many ways that he was a Christian man, and that his choice for God as his portion was made in his youth. Therefore they do not mourn as those who have no hope but are comforted with the thought that they shall some day meet him among the blood washed and redeemed on earth. – thanks to “S”