Beckham County, OK - Obits: Alvin P. Russell, 1929 Friday, 17 October 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm ************************************************ RUSSELL, ALVIN P. (13 Jun 1929, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): GRANDPA (A. P.) RUSSELL DIES IN OKLAHOMA CITY A. P. Russell, better known as "Grandpa" Russell passed away Friday, June 7th at St. Anthony's hospital in Oklahoma City after an illness of two weeks. He was born in Michigan, October 26, 1838, age 90 years, 7 months and 11 days. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 8th, in Oklahoma City and interment was made in the Union Soldiers' cemetery in Oklahoma City. He leaves in Elk City his daughter, Mrs. Bell Branham, his granddaughter, Mrs. F. H. Carpenter and Mrs. W. Y. Edwards and great grandchildren, Mrs. Ralph Barnhart and Edmond Carpenter to mourn his loss. The infant daughter, Lyla Frances of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Barnhart is his great great grandchild. He also leaves in Oklahoma City his wife, Mrs. Ella Russell and a son, S. W. Russell. Those from Elk City attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Barnhart, and baby, Mr. and Mrs. W. Y. Edwards and Mrs. Bell Branham. An obituary will be published next week. (Jun 1929, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): IN MEMORY OF A. P. Russell who died June 7, 1929, at Oklahoma City, at the age of 90 years. Alvin P. Russell was born in Middleville, Michigan, October 26, 1838. He was reared in a Christian home, enjoying the association of devoted parents, brothers and sisters. His boyhood was spent in the manner and customs of the day. We grand children never tired of hearing his stories of bear and deer hunts, Indians and lumber camps with which he was familiar. When he grew to manhood, the musical talent which he possessed called him to an active life in concert work, which he followed for a number of years. After his marriage to our grandmother who was formerly Almira Barnes, he engaged in business as a woodworkman, in the construction of carriages, wagons, etc. His work along that line took him and his family to the newly settled parts of northern Michigan, where they led the usual life of the pioneer family. Often in those rough, wild settlements, among those crude, yet good-hearted lumbermen, our grand parents were able to bring many little touches of sunshine, to make life happier for those with whom they came in contact. And there was always grandfather's ability to perform on various musical instruments, bringing cheer to many a lonely soul in those far away northern woods. At the beginning of the Civil War, grandfather volunteered for cavalry service, serving throughout the war with a division of the Michigan cavalry. At the close of the war, he went west with Custer's troops to subdue the unruly Plains Indians. A division was made in the troops, and he was sent over the southern route under another commander when they followed the Indians through Colorado and Wyoming. Some years after his return from the West, he moved his family to Missouri, where he lived until about thirteen years ago, when he came to Oklahoma. His life held much of sorrow. He knew the utter weariness of the hard worker, and the cares of providing for and educating a large family. Yet to the end he kept his ability to enjoy life and its blessings and never lost interest in new inventions and current affairs. When he was eighty-six years old, he bought a new car, and enjoyed driving it immensely, making two trips to Oklahoma City from Elk City during the summer. Our grandmother and six children have preceded him in death. He leaves two children, a daughter, Mrs. Belle Branham of Elk City, Oklahoma, and a son, Stephen W. Russell of Oklahoma City; his wife Ellen Sherman Russell of Oklahoma City, nine grandchildren, a number of great grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter, Baby Lyla Frances Barnhart of Elk City, to mourn his departure. Grandfather united with the Methodist Episcopal church in Atlanta, Missouri, and at the time of his death was a member of the First M. E. Church at Elk City. A beautiful military funeral was held in Oklahoma City. An appropriate talk was made by Rev. Jayne, pastor of the First M. E. Church. He was buried in the Union Soldier's cemetery, wrapped in the flag which he so faithfully served as a citizen and soldier. Major McGinley, superintendent of the Union Soldier's home conducted military services at the grave. --------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html