Biographical Review Volume XXX
Biographcal Review Publishing Company
1899
pp. 1123,1124

    George W. RUSSELL, for many years a well known carriage builder and
prominent citizen of Worcester, was born in Carlisle, Mass., Aug. 9,
1809. He was the son of James, third, and Mary (BUTLER) RUSSELL.
    The founder of the family in Ameica was William RUSSELL, son of
Robert, who settled in Cambridge in 1640. He was both a farmer and a
carpenter, as the following, taken presumably from an old record shows:
"He cultivated his farm, while at the same time he builded the houses of
his neighbors, and was held in honor by his neighbors." Before leaving
England he was married to Abigail WINSHIP. They had 10 children, two of
whom, Martha and Joseph, they brought with them. The fact of the baptism
of these children, on record, speaks as to the religious character of
the parents. James RUSSELL, third, lived in Carlisle, Mass. He carried
on the homestead farm, which was occupied by the RUSSELL'S for more than
150 years. The house he lived in is still standing and in habitable
repair. Mrs. Mary (BUTLER) RUSSELL was born in Billerica, Mass. She was
the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier who was numbered among the
killed, and a granddaughter of Joseph BUTLER,of Concord, who was Captain
of 84 men at Bunker Hill, among them his 2 sons.
     George W. RUSSELL attended school in his native town until 16 years
of age, when he went to Concord and was apprenticed at the
carriage-maker's trade. After mastering his trade he went to Amherst,
where he worked at it for a while as a journeyman. Coming to Worcester
in 1837, he formed a partnership with Mr. Albert TOLMAN, a former fellow
apprentice. TOLMAN & RUSSELL, carriage builders, located on Exchange
Street opposite Waldo, soon secured the best class of patronage in this
region. The firm was noted for prompt and honorable business methods and
for the superior workmanship of its carriages.
   It became in time the leading concern of its kind in the county and
was obliged to enlarge its shops and ware-rooms to meet the increasing
demands of its trade. Mr. RUSSELL deserves his full share of credit for
these satisfactory results. He and his partner worked together in
perfect unity, and each had the utmost confidence in the other. After
some years of successful co-partnership Mr. RUSSELL bought out Mr.
TOLMAN'S interest, and the firm became G.W. RUSSELL & Sons. About 1889
he passed over the management of the business to his sons, though he
still continued as practically its head until his death in Jan. 21,
1893.
    MR. RUSSELL was warmly interested in all public affairs of the city,
and filled various times the offices of Alderman, member of the School
Board, and Representative to the legislature. He never cared for public
office, and never sought for it, but accepted these responsibilities as
a part of his duties as a citizen. Modest and unostentatious, he exerted
a definate and beneficent influence, his many fine personal qualities
endearng him to his businss associates and winning for him the esteem
and goodwill of the community in which he lived.
    Mr. RUSSELL was 3 times married; his last wife being before her
marriage Lydia D. WAITE. His children were as follows: by the (1st)
marriage, James S., of Springfield, Mass. and Francis F., now deceased;
by the (2nd) marriage, Herbert J., who is the present manager of the
carriage manufactory at Worcester, and Edward S., who resides in
Chicago, ILL. Mr. RUSSELL was one of the trustees of the Worcester
Public Library. He was a public spirited citizen and in every way loyal
to his country. He took a warm interest in the temperance movement. For
many years he was a member of the Central Congregational Church, of
which he served as a Deacon. He rendered great assistance to the society
at the time of the building of the new house of worship.