RUSSELL, the latest occupied and last organized township of the county, took its name, against the wishes of the people, from the first family who settled in it.  To the people of Newbury, it used to be known as the "West woods."
     Together with the eleven other southern townships, it was placed in the old Burton in 1806.  In 1816 the townships numbers seven and eight in the ninth range were detached from Burton and erected into the township of Chester.  In 1827, by another order of the county commissioners, number seven was set off from Chester, and became a township by the name of Russell.
     In 1840-41, after the settlement of Chagrin Falls village, lying in both counties, Doctor Vincent, the representing Cuyahoga, and a resident of the new village, and Seabury Ford, Geauga, in the State Legislature, six lots out of tract three, the southwest corner of the township, were set off to help form a new township of Chagrin Falls, in the county of Cuyahoga.  As a compensation, some nine hundred acres from the northeast part of Orange, east of the Chagrin, a broken, clayey region, was set to Russell.  This was done without the previous knowledge of the people of Geauga, who were indignant as it did the dismemberment of the county by the setting off of the county of Lake.  They made vigorous effort for a repeal of the act at the next session.  Failing, they refused to have the slice of Orange, and so much of the law was rescinded.
     Being number nine of the eighth range, it lies south of Chester and north of Bainbridge.  Newbury adjoins her on the east, and Orange, in Cuyahoga county, on the west.  When settled, the land was owned by Aristarchus and Henry Champion, the heirs of Coit, the Kinsmans, Huntington, Mathews, and others.
     Like the other townships, it was divided into three tracts by east and west parallel lines.  The first, or northern, was divided into three tiers of sections of about three hundred acres each, numbered from the west to east.  These are subdivided into lots of sixty or eighty acres.  The central tract, - two, - with less than half the area of either of the others, was divided in three divisions, east, central, and the Williams tract, and subdivided into lots numbered each tract by itself.  The third, south, or Champion tract, into four tiers of sections, numbered from the southeast corner north and back, and subdivided into lots of various sizes.

ROADS AND HIGHWAYS.

PIGEONS.

SETTLEMENTS.

     Russell was the last to be peopled, of all the townships, and the most of her early inhabitants removed to her borders from the high prices at which the proprietors held the land.  It was also due to the generally low estimate which prevailed, set upon her soil and timber.
     The first known white inhabitants of the township were a family or Russells, in 1818; two years after, with what was called Wooster, it was erected into the township of Chester.  Newbury was organized the year before Russell's settlement.  Huntsburg and Middlefield were formed into the township of Batavia before, Kentstown (Bainbridge) and Troy (Auburn) became the township of Bainbridge in 1817.  Parkman was set up for herself, and Thompson also came to be organized, - all in March, 1817, before this tardy occupation of Russell.  William Russell came and took up two hundred and twenty-five acres of land a mile south of the centre, on the Chillicothe; built a house, and the father, Ebenezer R., and family, moved into it in 1818.  The family, with the elder, were the wife, William, Alpheus, Jemima, and Sarah.  I think this family were from Massachusetts, were Presbyterians, and the father and mother were elderly when they came.  They early had a trail connecting with the Walker, Hewitt, and Bachelder settlement, in the south part of Newbury, and another connecting them with the west part of Newbury.  Sarah became the second wife of John Bachelder, and has two sons living, one the Rev. John Bachelder, in Vermont.  One of the younger ones became a physician, and practiced for a time in Newbury.  Some of them became members of the First Congregational church, formed in Newbury in 1832.  (See Newbury)  Of those who thus settled and gave their name to the township it is believed none are now living.  The old Russell homestead and farm are now part of the farm of Benjamin Matthews, who lives on it.  The next who came into the township was Simeon Norton, his wife Sally, and daughter of Melinda.  He built south of the Russells half a mile, and back from the Chillicothe road.  The Nortons, Simeon and Sally, had born to them Orson, Mar. 31, 1821, whom Mr. Samuel Robinson, the historian of Russell, says was the first of white blood born in the township.  After this performance they moved into Bainbridge, where said Orson still lives.
     The third settler was John C. Bell, from Chester, Massachusetts, on the farm now owned by Ithel Wilbur, a pioneer of Newbury.  He brought a wife and seven children.  He came in 1820, remained a few years, and moved to Orange, where he died.
     Jonathan Rathbun came about the same time, and settled near Bell.  The only note made of this family and its sojourn in Russell is that Rathbun's hired man, Abel Brockway, was taken suddenly ill in the night time, and died ere medical help could be secured, - the first score to death in Russell.
     Clark Robinson, a native of Vermont, emigrated to Middlefield in 1820; removed to Russell in 1825.  He took one hundred and thirty-six acres of the east division, south of the east and north centre road, now the farm of his youngest son, David.  His family were his wife Rebecca, Clark, Jr., Edwin, and David; Phebe, the daughter, was born in Russell.  He was a man of unusual energy and enterprise, - a most valuable man for a new country,  - of the Norman Canfield, Hickox, and Punderson order of men.  He built his log house one day, and moved into it the next.  HE built the first framed buildings, - a cheese-house and then a barn.  Of this last, Samuel Coleman, an early carpenter of Newbury, was master builder, and there down the accustomed jug of whisky from the ridgepole when it was raised.*  He also built the first framed house, near the site of the brick house of his son, and opened a small store of goods there.  He soon after took land at the centre, cleared, built a hotel, barns, and store, set up a blacksmith-shop, invited in settlers, set an ashery running, bought large droves of cattle, and took them East, became embarassed, and finally discouraged, took to his bed, refused to get well or be comforted.  He died at the old homestead, Mar. 27, 1840, and was buried at a favorite spot in a "home orchard," near the house.
     Clark Robinson, Jr., the eldest son of the above, was born in Vermont, June 15, 1813.  ON the 9th of February, 1836, he married Emeline Munn youngest daughter of Marsena Munn, of Newbury, and died Dec. 6, 1848.  He was a farmer, settled just east of the old homestead, on the north side of the road, in Newbury, where he lived a farmer, had much of his father's force and energy, without his faults, and was much esteemed.  His wife, Emeline, born in Massachusetts, June 15, 1813, died at the homestead Mar. 7, 1851, much beloved.  (See the Munns of Newbury.)
     To these were born Anson, Dec. 7, 1836; died Aug. 18, 1856, a Newbury; Milton, born Aug. 30, 1838, resides in Louisiana; Laura, born Aug. 9, 1841; married to Elmer Riddle, and resides in Chardon.  She has two daughters.
     Edwin Robinson, second son of Clark, lives with a third wife north of the centre of Newbury, a well-to-do farmer.  A son of his, Edwin, married a daughter of W. A. Jenks, and lives in Auburn.  David,  the youngest son of Clark, Sr., occupiers the homestead, which he greatly improved.  He married Candace Scott, granddaughter of Marsena Munn, and niece of his elder brother Clark's wife, and has several children settled near him.  He has long been a prominent man and a leading farmer, widely known.  The mother lives with him.  Phebe, the daughter, married a Mr. King, and, with her husband and family, is still living.
     Mrs. Rebecca Robinson, wife of Clark, Sr., was a sister of Mrs. Thomas Manchester, and Mrs. William Jones, - three women of unusual energy, character, and merit.  They were natives of Vermont.  Thomas Manchester and wife emigrated to Newbury in 1816 from Vermont, and thence to Russell about 1825 or 1826.  He settled just west of the brother-in-law, Clark Robinson, on the north side of the road; was the father of Adoniram, Welcome, and John Manchester; also of Mrs. Jas. Smith and Mrs. Bryant Clark.
     William Jones, another brother-in-law, came into Newbury in 1825 or 1826, and, after a few months, went to Russell and settled opposite Clark Robinson.  They had four sons and two daughters: Hiram, Clark, Roswell, Daniel, Irene (Mrs. Artemus Robinson), and Rosana (Mrs. Carroll).  Of these, Roswell, whose first wife was a Miss Bullock, and his second Miss Bittles, lives on the homestead, and owns nearly all the land adjoining him.  IN that same neighborhood, a little later, Lovel Green and a numerous family arrived, and settled west of Clark Robinson, and built a slow-going saw ill on the Silver creek, northwest of Munn's, Burnett's, and Wilbur's mills, in Newbury.  I think his son, Lovel, lives on the old place.  About the same time, Phineas Upham, son of Amos Upham, then of Newbury, married Betsey Cutler, of the same place, and settled just west of Manchester's.  James Smith, who married Phebe Manchester, also settled in the neighborhood.
     To complete this Robinson family circle I may mention that, in 1827, Nathan Robinson, a half-brother of Clark, came out, and worked in a still in Newbury, married Mary Morton, of the Joseph Morton family, moved into Russell several years later, bought a saw mill, and lost his life by a runaway team.  Samuel Robinson, a brother of that last, born in Vermont, in 1806, came to Newbury in 1830, worked with his brother, married Miranda Patterson, removed to Russell and became a farmer, where he still lives.  He has been a justice of the peace for twenty years.  The father of all, Nathan Robinson, came to Newbury late, and died at the age of ninety-seven years.  To this circle, also, belongs Artemus Robinson son of Asa R., and mentioned in the history of Newbury.  He came in with the Munns, in 1818, with whom he remained some years.  He then bought the southwest corner lot at the centre of Russell, where he built, and made an excellent farm, married Irena Jones, the eldest daughter of William, became a man of substance, and still resides there.  A brother next younger, John Robinson, also mentioned in the Newbury sketch as a shoe-manufacturer, married a daughter of Joe Bartholomew, named in the Auburn sketch, carried on trade several years at Chagrin Falls, and then purchased a farm north and east of the centre of Russell, where he still resides.
     Still another brother, Benjamin, became an early settler south of the centre, and a son of his married a daughter of Clark Robinson's youngest son, David.
     Anson Matthews was an early settler in Russell, north of the centre, was a justice of the peace, and represented the county in the legislature twice.
     Henry Isham came from Herkimer county, New York in 1837, and settled in the southern part of the township.  He brought his wife and one child.  Twins were born to them soon after their arrival.  Isham died in 1855.  A son - one of the twins - and the mother live on the homestead.  The other children are deceased.
     Eliphalet Johnson moved from Oneida county, New York, to Russell in 1835, and settled west of the centre.  His parents came with him.  The father, Jonathan, was a soldier of the family has a powder-horn brought by him from the battle of Bunker Hill.  The mother's name was Ruth, and both died at the age of ninety-four.  Of the younger members of the family, the only one living in Ohio is Perlina, wife of Edward Bosworth, son of Harmon, of Newbury.  The parents moved to Michigan, in 1866.
     Christopher Edic was an early settler at the centre, and was the first postmaster.  Charles Baily and George Edic were among the first settlers in the northwestern part, about 1830.  John and Joe Wooley, Englishmen, were there early, as were David Frazier and David Nutt.   Many came into that part later.  Many Englishmen went in there, and that section was called England.
     J. C. Martin came in 1837, and was written a sketch of the township.  Among others there at that time Orlo Judson, in the north part, had a grist- and saw-mill on the east branch of the Chagrin.  He is said to have built the first saw-mill.  Wesley Whipple also lived in part.  Down west, was Partridge, with a saw-mill, on the same stream.  John Williams was out that way, and Benjamin Matthews on the Russell farm.  Also, Faber Warren lived south.  Southwest, John and Reuben Walters, Ira Greenfield, and others.  The Martins settled at first in the northeast part, near James Smith.
     Richard Ladon was a neighbor, as was Luther Alexander, son of Justin, a pioneer of Newbury.  His wife was Melissa Morton, daughter of Noah Morton another pioneer of Newbury.  D. H. Pomeroy was another neighbor, as was Thomas Fuller, Jr.
     Ido Baily was an early settler, and had a mill in Russell.  It is mentioned incidentally that both the eldest son of J. M. Burnett and that son's brother-in-law, Wilbur, became residents of Russell at a later day.  The two youngest brothers, Detroit and Prelate Burnett, also became residents there, where the last still lives.  Detroit died there two or three years ago.
     Among early settlers in the south part were Lewis Sweet, Silas Baker, Mr. Black, and Goodwill.  The Souls also settled in the south part, and made quite a figure there for many years.
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* Mr. S. Robinson, a half-brother of Clark and a brother-in-law of Coleman, says he threw the jug into a soft place below the frame, where it was not broken, and he recovered it afterwards.  Coleman would not be likely to waste whisky by breakage.

ORGANIZATION.

     The township was organized and election held Apr. 2, 1827, at which time twelve persons exercised their right of franchise by the election of the following township officers:  Gideon Russell, Clark Robinson, and John Lowry, trustees; Jonathan Rathbun and John C. Bell, overseers of the poor; Thomas Manchester and James M. Smith, fence - viewers; William Russell, treasurer; Alpheus Russell, constable; and Ebenezer Russell, superintendent of highways for district No. 1, the whole township being at that time comprised without doubt in one road district.  On the 25th of the subsequent August, Clark Robinson was elected the first justice of the peace.  The officers for 1878 are A. McLaughlin, C. Gates, and A. Burgess, trustees; J. Chase, clerk; W. Robinson, treasurer; C. Wilson, assessor; W. H. Lawrence and M. H. Isham, constables; Jacob Chase and Wallace Wilbur justices of the peace; and twenty-two supervisors of highways.

FIRST EVENTS

     All first happenings of the more important events of human life are important to the parties and circle among whom they occur; a bride or a baby are of the utmost interest possible to the parties nearest concerned.  A reader of pioneer sketches needs to have either incident come through years of time, at the first beginnings of things, the commencement of a new world, when civilized things are strange, and few and raw.  That a youth and maiden, the only two, in the freshness of nature and their own lives and selves should thus meet near the beginning of the century, love and wed, are events not only to them, but to us.  We are glad to know who the two were, how they came to know each other, and who solemnized the nuptials, - of the Adam and Eve of the new world.  It is not the fault of Russell that it was not peopled when Burton, Middlefield, and Hambden were, and had no lovers like Jonathan Books and Rachel Clark, Young Sheffield and the daughter of Justus Miner, in Chester, or Harry and Hannah Burnett, young lovers brought by his father into the woods of Newbury, and who had to wait till nature brought the youth a beard ere he would permit them to wed.  Beautiful girls have been born reared, wooed, and happily wedded amid the beautiful valleys of Russell, with the roseate glamour of romance; many of them, of which I would willingly give an account, but I can only turn back to rather mature Sally Russell and John Bacheldor, - who had buried, if not his first love, his first wife - as the first pair married in Russell, which occurred the 26th of May, 1825.  Rev. John Seward, Presbyterian, of Aurora, officiated on the happy occasion.
     So we know that the first children born of the new people were twins, to Simeon and Sally Norton, on the 31st day of March, 1821.  Of these we were only told of by Orson, the survivor, and said to be now living in Solon.  The reader has already been informed that Brockway's sudden demise was the first death.

SCHOOLS.

     We are told that Lucy Squire taught the first school in the back part of Jonathan Bathbone's house.
     The first framed school-house was built in the Clark Robinson neighborhood, on the William Jones farm.  It is now the blacksmith-shop of William Chase at the centre.
     Hamilton Utley was one of the first male teachers, probably the first in Russell.
     In 1850 there were nine school districts in the township, indicating a healthy sentiment in favor of education in a population of ten hundred and eighty-three.
     Of children within school ages there are ninety-three males and seventy-three females, - a great preponderance of males.  Total, one hundred and sixteen.  It is said that male teachers receive thirty dollars per month, and females but sixteen dollars.  Why this disproportion  Amount paid teachers the last year, ten hundred and ninety-two dollars.
     It may be here mentioned that two hundred newspapers, magazines, and periodicals were also received the current year by the people of Russell.

RELIGION - CLERGY - CHURCHES.

POPULATION.