American AcornsHarlow S. Russell
1837–1913 · Male · died at 76
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Overview
Harlow S. Russell1837–1913Abbie Helen Whittier1844–1916Wife
Biography
Harlow S. Russell was a Maine farmer whose family lived in Bingham, Solon, Cornville and Madison.
From Farmington to Bingham
Harlow was born in Farmington in 1837 or 1838, the son of William Russell and Mary Clark. His obituary says the family soon moved to Bingham. A Harlow, 13, appears there in William and Mary's 1850 census household.
Likely About this evidence
The tree gives March 31, 1837, for his birth; the 1900 census gives March 1838. His obituary's reported age of 76 fits 1837. The 1850 household is a Likely match, but that census states no relationships.
He married Abbie Whittier of Brighton in 1862 or 1863.
Likely About this evidence
Abbie's obituary gives the marriage year as 1862; the tree gives January 7, 1863, and the 1900 census records 37 years of marriage. No original birth or marriage record is cited. His obituary's use of “Mrs.” for Abbie does not establish a previous marriage.
Farming and family
The obituaries place Harlow and Abbie first in Bingham and later in Cornville, where they spent about twenty years. Harlow's obituary also mentions Solon. By 1900 they lived on a farm in Madison. Their son George worked in a shoe factory, as did their daughter Ada. Lewis was a farm laborer, and Bert attended school (1900 census; Vermont record).
Confirmed About this evidence
The census records the household and occupations; the order of the earlier moves comes from the obituaries. Farm ownership is a Likely reading of the small tenure entry.
Abbie had borne seven children, six of whom were living in 1900. Six survived Harlow: Nellie, Lee, Mabel, Louis, Ada and Bert.
Confirmed About this evidence
The children's names are retained as printed in Harlow's notice.
His death in 1913
An East Madison item in the November 6, 1913, Independent-Reporter reported that Harlow had died suddenly the previous Friday from what it called a “shock.” His wife Abbie and his brother Fred Russell of Skowhegan survived him.
Likely About this evidence
The dated item points to October 31, 1913, agreeing with the tree. Abbie's later obituary instead gives October 1914. An undated clipping attributed to Harlow's obituary says Sunday night after a brief illness. The dated notice supports a death in autumn 1913; the exact day, cause and identity of the undated clipping remain unresolved. “Shock” is the newspaper's wording, not a modern diagnosis.
Timeline of the public record (4 entries)
Family
Parents
- Father: William Greenwood Russell II 1811–1883
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Mother: Mary Clark (Russell) 1810–1880
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Wife: Abbie Helen Whittier 1844–1916 Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Daughter: Ada Russell ( Footer ) 1878–1921
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Son: Bert Von Russell 1886–1954
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Son: George Lee Russell 1875–1961
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Son: Lewis Whittier Russell 1882–1964
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Daughter: Nellie M. Russell 1864–1928
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Daughter: Mabel Russell 1873–1966
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Life events
| Born | 31 Mar 1837 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: His gravestone gives Mar. 31, 1837. Farmington as his birthplace comes from his obituary, a later source, which names his parents William and Mary (Clark) Russell. Records: Review: assessed 11-02-2026; evidence: Image examined. Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. |
|---|---|
| Died | 31 Oct 1913 Likely evidence: show whyWhy: His gravestone gives Oct. 31, 1913, a Friday, but his obituary says he 'died Sunday night', so the day is uncertain. The obituary calls him one of the prominent farmers of East Madison, which places his home there, not necessarily his death. Records: Review: assessed 11-02-2026; evidence: Image examined. Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. · Confirmed (10-26-2026, research): His gravestone gives Oct. 31, 1913. Find a Grave and his obituary place him at East Madison (the obituary calls him one of its prominent farmers), so the tree's Cornville is replaced. The obituary's 'died Sunday night' does not fit 31 Oct 1913, a Friday; the stone date is kept. |
| Marriage | 7 JAN 1863, Maine, USA, with Abbie Helen Whittier 1844–1916 |
| Residence | Occupation: Farmer; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head, 1900, Madison, Somerset, Maine, USA |
| Burial | Skowhegan, Somerset County, Maine, United States of America |
Newspapers
4 newspaper clippings to view here. View them larger, one at a time.
Harlow Russell Obituary5 Nov 1913
The East Madison column of the Independent-Reporter, Thursday 6 November 1913: 'Harlow Russell, a farmer living near this place, died suddenly from the effects of a shock Friday of last week' (31 October).1913
The Independent-Reporter (Skowhegan, Me.), 6 Nov 1913, p. 10: East Madison column, Harlow Russell died suddenly (this is the clean whole page; the same file is in research-b-highlight-recapture-2026-10-02/pages).6 Nov 1913 · p. 10
The Independent-Reporter (Skowhegan, Me.), 16 Mar 1916, p. 4: Death of Mrs. Abbie H. Russell.16 Mar 1916 · p. 4
Record images
10 record images to view here. View them larger, one at a time.
- record-image-13007-25-1850
1900 U.S. census, Madison, Somerset County, Maine (NARA roll 600, page 24, ED 157): the page the family tree attaches to Harlow S. Russell, George Lee Russell, Abbie Helen Russell.1900 · NARA roll 600, page 24, ED 157
1900 U.S. census, Madison, Somerset County, Maine, ED 157, sheet 24A: Harlon S. Russell household (indexed 'Harlon').1900 · sheet 24A
June 1900, Madison: Harlow S. Russell, 62, a farmer, with his wife Abbie and son George, a shoe-factory laborer; seven children born, six living.1900
A second photograph of the weathered gravestone of Abbie Helen (Whittier) Russell, wife of Harlow S. Russell. Find a Grave photograph supplied in the family tree.photograph
Gravestone of Abbie Helen (Whittier) Russell, 'wife of Harlow S. Russell', who died in March 1916; the inscription is weathered. Photograph supplied in the family tree.photograph
Harlow S. Russell (1837-1913) and his son Lewis Whittier Russell (1882-1964), Southside Cemetery, Skowhegan, Maine.
Harlow S. Russell, 1837–1913, Southside Cemetery.
Maine, Marriage Records, 1713-1937
Vermont, U.S., Marriage Records, 1909-2008
Photos & documents
Sources
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current Burials and memorials Scan: family sign-in Birth
- New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947 Birth, marriage and death records Scan: family sign-in Birth
New England Historical Genealogical Society; New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records, Concord, New Hampshire - 1900 United States Federal Census Census Viewable scan Birth, Marriage, Residence
Year: 1900; Census Place: Madison, Somerset, Maine; Roll: 600; Page: 24; Enumeration District: 0157 - U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current Burials and memorials Scan: family sign-in Death
- Maine, Marriage Records, 1713-1937 Birth, marriage and death records Viewable scan
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current Burials and memorials Scan: family sign-in Burial
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current Burials and memorials Scan: family sign-in
- Vermont, U.S., Marriage Records, 1909-2008 Birth, marriage and death records Viewable scan
Research sources
Share a memory of Harlow S. Russell: saved privately, not published (family members can sign in to send one).
Open an evidence label for the sources, assessment and review date. Unreviewed tree entries are Unconfirmed. How sure is each statement?