Russell Holborn Erskine, proprietor of the Central Garage at Meriden, was born in Toledo, Ohio, March 9, 1889, a son of Harry and Jessie (Snodgrass) Erskine. The father has passed away, while the mother resides at Hamilton, Canada. Her people were from Edinburgh, Scotland, and settled in Hamilton, Canada, about a half century ago. Harry Erskine passed away when his son Russell was but three or four years of age and the mother afterward returned to Hamilton, where Russell H. Erskine attended the public schools. He also pursued a course in the Normal College and afterward learned the machinist’s trade in Hamilton, gaining expert and comprehensive knowledge concerning work of that character. He also pursued a correspondence course under the direction of the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and later he went to Buffalo, New York, where he entered the employ of the E. R. Thomas Motor Company. He became an expert motor mechanic while thus employed and was promoted to the position of road man as factory expert. Later he went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked at his trade until he came to the notice of the millionaire, John Duncan, who induced Mr. Erskine to drive for him and take care of his cars, Mr. Duncan being a very wealthy and prominent man of Brookline, Massachusetts. Later Mr. Erskine went to Hartford, Connecticut, where he worked at his trade until he came to Meriden in 1910 to drive for and take charge of the cars of the late Walter Hubbard. Upon the death of Mr. Hubbard, Mr. Erskine started in business on his own account in a small place on East Main street and purchased his present ground, on which was a house and barn. This was on the 19th of July, 1915. The barn he at once remodeled into a large garage and he now conducts an extensive repair and storage business and has a complete vulcanizing plant. He carries a big stock of automobile repair parts and accessories and is agent for the Ajax tires and the Gould batteries and has a service station for the same. He employs four men and is conducting a large, growing and successful business.

  On the 15th of August, 1910, Mr. Erskine was married to Miss Elizabeth Donahue, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and they have one child, Jessie Elizabeth. Mr. Erskine belongs to the Presbyterian church and guides his life according to its teachings. His political allegiance is given the democratic party, and while he does not seek nor desire office, he is always loyal and progressive in matters of citizenship. He is truly a self-made man, having been both the architect and builder of his own fortune. He has developed his native powers and talents and his long experience has given him expert knowledge and power along the line toward which he has directed his energies. He is now one of the well-to-do business men of Meriden, prominently connected with the automobile trade, and what he has undertaken and accomplished should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be achieved when there is a will to dare and to do.