Russ, James (Died)

The late James Russ was a son of the late Samuel Russ and was born in the Township of Grimsby nearly 89 years ago on the farm now owned by T.D.G. Bell. He resided in the Township of Grimsby or North Grimsby all his life, 65 years of which were spent on the farm where he passed away. On April 17, 1850, over 64 years ago, he was married to Hannah Percilla Beamer, daughter of the late Wm. Beamer. She was born on the old Calder farm, lying alongside her husband's farm on the mountain, just overlooking the Village of Grimsby. She predeceased her husband 10 years. The late James Russ was a very energetic, industrious man and in early life carried on a business of contracting wood for the Great Western Railway, at a time before coal came into general use for railway engines. After giving up the contracting business,he settled down to farming and owned two or three of the best farms in the Township of North Grimsby. He planted the big 25-acre apple orchard, on what was afterwards known as the Billington Farm and now is known as the Cornucopia Farm and owned by Jas. A. Livingston. In his declining years he remained very close to his home farm and up to the very last took a great interest in his cows and poultry. He was only confined to his room for a few weeks previous to his death. In politics the late James Russ was a staunch Liberal; in religion a Methodist. He is survived by two brothers, Samuel and William, both of Niagara Falls, N.Y., four sons, W.B., Lincoln County road superintendent; Judson D. of Buffalo; Marcus W. of Chicago and Leslie H. of Bradford, Pa., and one daughter, Mrs. W.J. Gilray, of Indianapolis, Ind.