RUSSELL, Joseph P. - Putnam

Dr. Joseph Penn Russell, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of the county ied yesterday at his home in Waveland. He was 75 years of age and has been a resident of Waveland over a half century. The funeral was conducted this p.m. at Waveland and largley attended - kbz

Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Tuesday, 21 February 1893

Dr. Joseph P. Russell, one of the county’s best known and gifted men, departed this life Feb. 12, 1893 at his home, one half mile south of Waveland. He was born In Bourbon County, Kentucky, July 23, 1845. In the following month they moved to Waveland, Ind., where he resided until his death.

Dr. Russell was widely known and loved by all his acquaintances, always benevolent and forgiving, always had a smile and kind word for everyone. It is certain that he had not an enemy. He was a graduate of Lexington Medical College and was a successful practitioner for nearly half a century. Many of his poems have appeared in The Journal as in other papers also. He exhibited great talent in this line also. He was a devoted church worker; having united with the Christian Church at an early age and for many years retained the eldership of the Waveland Christian Church. His death was very sudden. In connection with his disease, diabetes, for several weeks he had dropsy in his lower limbs but was able to walk about and nothing serious was expected. The dropsy ascended into his body and on reaching his heart resulted in almost instant death. He was quite lively and seemingly in better health than usual the evening of his death. At near 12 o’clock he awoke breathing with great difficulty and requested the door to be opened. His breath became shorter and shorter and in a few minutes life was extinct.

The funeral services were held in the church in order that everyone who desired might attend. Rev. T. J. Shuey officiated. The songs sung were his special favorites, “Where he leads I will follow,” and “Going down the valley.”

Dr. Russell was the oldest of seven children, three of whom survive him, Dr. John T. and Harvey Russell, and Mrs. Thos. Wherrit, all of Pleasant Hill, Missouri. He leaves a wife and eight children, three sons and four daughters, John L., David C., Joseph W., Mrs. A. W. Groves of Waynetown, Mrs. Ira J. Penn of Lexington, Ky., and Misses Allie, Emma, and Pauline.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 25 Feb 1893

Dr. Joseph P. Russell died suddenly at his home in Waveland Sunday morning, Feb. 12th, 1893. He had been sick for some months, but neither himself nor his family supposed death so near. He was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and was about 78 years old.   He was noted for his kindness and goodness of heart and for a long time was one of the leading physicians of the county, but of late years, he had lived a quiet life, surrounded by an affectionate family and giving but little attention to his profession. He was a graduate of the Medical College of Lexington, Ky. He had been a resident of Waveland for nearly fifty years.  The funeral occurred this afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Methodist Church at Waveland. -s