Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Russ, John J. November 7, 1900
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Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com November 11, 2013, 3:49 pm

Lake Odessa Wave & Times - Fri. Nov. 23, 1900


Typhoid’s Victim

John J. Russ, of the firm of O.C. Russ & Co., died Saturday morning at about 
nine O’clock, after an illness of nearly seven weeks, with typhoid fever.

Mr. Russ was taken sick at his rooms over his store building at first, but as 
he had not been in good health for some time he gave his last illness but 
little concern at first. He did not improve after a few days doctoring, but 
gradually grew worse, and he was then taken to the home of Dr. and Mrs. O. C. 
Russ. A trained nurse from the U.B.A. hospital, at Grand Rapids, was secured at 
once, as his illness had developed into a serious case of typhoid fever. 
Everything that was known to the medical profession was done to stop the 
disease, and a trained nurse was kept constantly in attendance, but the efforts 
seemed of no avail, and he passed away at the time stated.

His end was look for for several days before it came, and the faint spark of 
life struggled fiercely to glow. He was conscious almost to the last and able 
to converse with and knew his friends and family.

John J. Russ was born in Medina County, Ohio on July 19th, 1857. 

From the place of his birth he went with his parents to Cleveland, Ohio, where 
he received his education in the public schools.

Up to the time of his death, he had lived with his brother, Dr. O.C. Russ, or 
had considered that his home for nearly 23 years. At the beginning of that time 
he studied pharmacy, and was successful in securing a diploma. He and the 
doctor were associated in business at Remus; they sold out the business there, 
Dr. Russ going into the northern peninsula of Michigan, where he again entered 
the drug business with Wilson Elliott. John had a desire to see the west and 
took this opportunity to go. He spent three years on the Pacific Coast; took up 
a claim in Washington territory and proved it up. He also purchased property in 
Portland, Oregon, which he held with his brother at the time of his death. 
Growing tired of roaming over the west, he returned to the home of his brother 
and entered his employ.

Later the store was sold out and Mr. Russ again took a trip through the 
southwest states and into Texas. He returned after a several months’ absence, 
and as he had visited Lake Odessa, with his brother, before, concluded that 
this would be a pretty good place to locate, and with his brother and Wilson 
Elliott, bought the Van Allen drug stock, and the firm known as O.C. Russ & 
Co., has been one of the most progressive and influential in the village’s list 
of business places.

Mr. Russ also held the American Express agency at the time of his death.

He was a member of the Masonic lodge of this village, and also of the Knights 
of Pythias, having held every high office in the latter order; and was a member 
of the grand lodge of the state of Michigan.

He was also a member of the Congregational church, of this village, almost from 
the time of its organization.

He had also been superintendent of the Congregational Sunday school and was 
teacher of the young people’s bible class. He was a strong teacher in the 
Sunday school, with qualities fitted for practical work. At the time of his 
death he was treasurer of the church.

Mr. Russ had never married, but has faithfully filled his place in the 
business, church, lodge and progressive influences of the village.

Mr. Russ leaves two brothers, Dr. O.C. Russ of this village and Theodore M. 
Russ, of Cleveland, Ohio, and one sister, Mrs. Trebing, of Cleveland.

The funeral service was held at the Congregational church, Monday forenoon, at 
10 o’clock, and the sermon delivered by Rev. W.H. Skentelbury. 

Many members of the Masonic order attended the funeral.

The Knights of Pythias lodge, of the village, attended in a body and performed 
their impressive ritualistic work at the depot before the body was placed on 
the train. The turnout of Knights was very large to pay their last respects to 
a brother, whose place may never be filled in the lodge. His suave, gentle, yet 
firm manner was always a powerful influence in the lodge, and with a marked 
gentleness his points were usually carried, and they were always to promote the 
interests of the lodge, and the brothers enrolled under the banner. In case of 
sickness among the lodge members he was invariably first to go to the relief of 
a brother or his family, and was untiring in administering to their wants. 

The remains were placed on the noon train east, accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. 
O.C. Russ, Theodore Russ and Undertaker, George Weed, who was sent by the 
Knights of Pythias lodge as an escort to their dead brother to his last resting 
place.

The remains were laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery at Cleveland, Wednesday 
afternoon. Riverside Cemetery is one of the most beautiful burying places in 
the United States, and surely it can be no prettier than this character who 
finds rests therein.

It was the wish of all his friends that his remains be interred in Lakeside 
cemetery, but it was thought advisable by the relatives that he should rest 
beside his father, and nearer the home of the larger part of his relatives. 

Nothing that we could say would make Mr. Russ’ character and sterling worth 
better understood by our people; all knew him. As a business man, as a church 
man, or as a lodge man; knew him as forward, trustworthy and honest in every 
transaction. His was a friendship that improved with age. To know him longer 
was to like him better; to better understand his honest, open hearted traits of 
true manhood. In his demise Lake Odessa loses one of its very best citizens. It 
is a loss that is not soon repaired, a loss irreparable. 

His property holdings were quite extensive, and provision was made for a just 
disposal of all before his death. 





Additional Comments:
Riverside Cemetery@ Cleveland, Ohio

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