| Stephen W. Russell, the oldest member of Nathaniel Lyon Post, G. A. R. , spent his 85th birthday at his home in the North Village (Sunday) May 1. Mr. Russell was born in Warwick R. I., on May 1, 1825. At the age of eight years he entered the employ of one of the cotton mills of that town, where he labored for one year, when the family moved their household goods to a Connecticut city. He has resided in Webster for more than fifty years. The veteran was the second oldest of a family of six children: his elder brother is 87 years of age, and a resident of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He was married three times. In 1849 he became the husband of Ann Bradden, who died in 1862. Two children were born to them. Mrs. J. W. Wade, Worcester, and Albert S. Russell, Seattle, Washington. He married Alice Sargent in 1866. She died in 1877. In 1878 he united with Ann J. Bartlett, who is still living. He is a machinist by trade. He enlisted at Boston Mass. July 28, 1862, as Stephen Wilbur Russell, as private in Company H, 15th Regiment Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at Worcester, July 28th, 1864, by reason of expiration of service. He participated in the engagements of Antietam, Sept 17,1862; Fredericksburg , December 13, 1862 and May 3, 1863; Gettysburg, July I, 2, 3, 1863 and Wilderness on May 5 and 6, 1864. He received a slight wound at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, caused by a gun shot striking his knee, and was seriously wounded at Wilderness on May 6, 1864, resulting from a gun shot wound in right arm and side. The G. A. R. member was confined to the hospitals of Gettysburg and at Camp Cameron, Washington D. C. He joined the Nathaniel Lyon Post, G. A. R. No. 61, on April 9, 1869, and has served in the capacity of P. G. surgeon and sergeant major. He has the distinction of being the oldest member of Post 61, in token of which he is in possession of a cane which is always bestowed on the oldest member of the post. While able he was a regular attendant at the Methodist church. His health is very good, except for a slight lameness, and his sight is also very poor. During the day he was visited by a number of friends, and his daughter, Mrs. Wade of Worcester, also spent the day with him. He received many remembrances in honor of the occasion. |