OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1685, 13 March 1917, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MR. J. R. RUSSELL. The news of the death of Air John Ruffell Russell, at Dannevirke on Friday, briefly referred to in our last issue, was received with genuine sorrow throughout this district, where he had many friends. The deceased gentleman was only ill lor a few days. The late Mr Russell was 00 years of age, having been born in Launceston, Tasmania, in 1855, and coming to New Zealand when very young. He was educated at Finnemore's school, Wellington, and later went to learn the trade of compositor at llie Evening Post. After nine years on the Post, during which he rose to the position of publisher of that journal. Mr Russell, in conjunction with his brother, now the Hon. G. W, Russell, deeid-* ed to establish a newspaper at Poxton. Accordingly, in August, 1878, they launched the Alanawatu Herald. In 1880 the partnership was dissolved. Mr J. R. Russell retaining the Herald, and his brother going to Palmerston and purchasing the Maim wain Times from the late Air J. B. Dungan’s estate, and occupying the editorial chair for two years before disposing of the paper. In the meantime the late Mr Russell continued to control the Herald, and he eventually, in 1889, sold that journal to the late Air E, S. Thynne, and shortly after he became sub-editor of the Palmerston Times. Later on Air Russell leased the journal, which he conducted for a period of six years. Then he and Mr T. L. Buick purchased the Dannevirke Advocate, and remained in possession of that paper until it was acquired by the Dannevirke News Company,'who incorporated it with the other journal there, the News. Soon after this Mr Russell paid a lengthy visit to England, and since his return he has resided in Dannevirke. He went to Wellington for the last two sessions of Parliament to act as Parliamentary correspondent for the Press Association. Mr Russell was one of the earliest llaxmillers on this coast, going into the industry in 1880 on the Barber estate at Himatangi, and he was one of (ho original selectors in the Awahou Block, Pohangina, He was a prominent Freemason and took a keen interest in bowling. As will be gathered from the particular's of Iris career, he was a pioneer of journalism on this coast, and was thus closely associated with (he early development of, the Foxion-Alana-watu district. He was a man of a very kindly, genial nature, who, both in his capacity of journalist and his private outlook upon life, took' a broad am! generous view of men and a (fairs. Wherever he went, he made many friends, and they will feel a deep sense l of personal loss at Iris death. The late Air Russell married Afiss Mitchell, of Wellington, and she, with a family of three sons (Mr Wilfred Russell, of the literary staff of the Hawera Star, Mr. J. Russell, and Lieut. Neil Russell, who is now in camp at Trentham), and one daughter (Miss Evelyn Russell), are left to mourn their loss. They will have very wide and sincere sympathy in their bereavement. The late Mr Russell has three brothers, one being (he Hon. G. W. Russell, another Air T. G. Russell, the well-known barrister of Christchurch, and the third Air AV. Russell, of Hansard staff.

The inlerrmenl took place at Dannevirke on Saturday, and was largely a I tended by relatives and friends of the deceased gentleman.