Adirondack Daily Enterprise, July 14, 1949 Born: December 23, 1861, in Hancock, Michigan
Died: July 10, 1949
Married: Mary Elizabeth Brenan Russell
Children: John S. Russell, Mrs. Harold J. Harris, Imogene (Mrs. John H.) Walsh
Dr. John Conway Russell practiced medicine in Saranac Lake for 55 years, beginning in 1892. He served as President of the village of Saranac Lake, 1895-96 and 1900-02; past president and member of the school board for 14 years; and president of the Saranac Lake Savings and Loan Association. He lived at 7 Olive Street.
Dr. and Mrs. Russell occupied Camp Gibralter on Saranac River Isle, also known as Justamere Island, from 1900 to 1919.
In 1902, he was the victim of an attempted murder by former village policeman, John LaPan.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, July 14, 1949
Dr. J. C. Russell, 87, Saranac's Oldest Physician, Is Dead
A solemn High Mass for Saranac Lake's oldest physician, Dr. John Conway Russell, 87, will be celebrated at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning in St. Bernard's Church. Dr. Russell died at 8:15 a.m. yesterday at his home, 7 Olive street.
The Saranac Lake Medical society, of which Dr. Russell was the eldest member, will, attend the Mass in a body and will serve as honorary pall bearers.
Interment will follow in the Catholic section of Pine Ridge cemetery. The body is resting at the doctor's home.
Elks services will take place at the home at 8 o'clock this evening, followed by memorial rites, to be conducted by the local council. Knights of Columbus, at 9:15 p.m.
Dr. Russell was born on Dec. 23, 1861 in Hancock, Mich., the son of Daniel and Annie Conway Russell. He moved to AuSable Forks with his family when he was two years old.
The elderly physician was a graduate of Keeseville academy, class of 1881 and completed his medical studies at New York university in 1886.
Dr. Russell married the former Miss Mary Elizabeth Brenan on April 28, 1886 in AuSable Forks. The couple celebrated their golden anniversary in 1930 and Mrs. Russell passed away on the following July 7.
Dr. and Mrs. Russell moved to Saranac Lake in 1892 and on March 1 of that year the doctor opened his medical practice in this village.
During his long residence here, Dr. Russell was always active in civic affairs of the village, having held many responsible positions in municipal and fraternal organizations.
He was president of the Village for four years and was a past president and a member of the school board for 14 years.
In January, 1948, Dr. Russell resigned after 10 years as president of the Saranac Lake Federal Savings and Loan association of which he continued to serve as a director until the time of his death.
The general practitioner was a charter member and first grand knight of the local Knights of Columbus and had been an active member of the Elks lodge.
He was a leading participant in the Democratic party and for three years he served as its State committeeman.
Dr. Russell is survived by one son, John S. Russell of Maple. wood, N. J .. and two daughters. Mrs. John H. Walsh of Saranac Lake and Mrs. Harold J. Harris of Westport.
Eight grandchildren survive…
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, January 23, 1948 Essex County Republican, January 3, 1947
Dr. John C Russell Enjoys Good Health At 85 Years
Graduated Keeseville '81
Dr. John C. Russell, who has practiced medicine in and about Saranac Lake for 55 years, celebrated his 85th birthday quietly at his home, 7 Olive street, on Dec. 24. Dr. Russell was guest of honor at a dinner party attended by his children, their husbands and wives and his grandchildren.
Despite his years, Dr. Russell enjoys splendid health and retains an active interest in community affairs.
He is president of the Saranac Lake Savings and Loan society, former member of the Saranac Lake village board, member of the Lodge of Elks and the Saranac Lake Council, Knights of Columbus.
Throughout his 55 years in the village, Dr. Russell has taken an active part in village affairs. He served as a member of the board of education 14 years and was president of the village four years. He was the first grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, and is a charter member of the Elks. For more than 25 years he served as a member of the Harrietstown Democratic committee.
Attending the family dinner were Dr. Russell's son, John S. Russell of Maplewood, N. J., his two daughters, Mrs. Harold J. Harris of Westport and Mrs. John H. Walsh of Saranac Lake; his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Russell and his son-in-law, John Walsh, five of his seven grandchildren; Larry Russell, Ann Harris, Alice Robert and Eugene Walsh.
Dr. Russell was born in Hancock, Mich., and when he was two years old his family moved to Ausable Forks. He attended Keeseville academy from which he was graduated in 1881. He was graduated from New York University in 1885. Shortly after his graduation he came to Saranac Lake to practice.
