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Dictionary of Miramichi Biography

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RUSSELL, THOMAS (1854-1928)

RUSSELL, THOMAS, liquor vendor, grocer, and benefactor; b. North Esk parish (bap. 12 Sep 1854), s/o William Russell and Ann Mullin; unmarried; d. Newcastle, 15 Mar 1928.

Thomas Russell studied at the Newcastle Grammar School under John Hardie and entered the retail sales field at an early age. In 1883 he became a liquor vendor under the Canada Temperance Act, which was a profitable, if somewhat stigmatized, appointment. In 1888 he was hired as a policeman in Newcastle, but his service in this job was brief. In 1891 he owned a grocery store, the conduct of which became his principal occupation. He announced in 1903 that he had added an oyster salon to his store. He moved to a new location in 1915 and by 1919 had added tinware, glassware, and much else to his shelves. He was also an auctioneer and commission merchant and the owner of a tenement house and other buildings.

In 1895 Russell made a gift of the stone fountain which was placed over the artesian well in the Newcastle Town Square. The fountain was separate from the basin, which was given several years later by David R. C. Brown, a son of George Brown.

Russell died tragically from burns received when his home caught on fire.

Sources

[d] Leader 23 March 1928 / Advocate 11 Jul 1883, 22 Aug 1888, 19 Dec 1894, 14 Aug 1895, 20 Aug 1896, 16 Oct 1901, 30 Sep 1903, 12 May 1915, 25 Nov 1919 (ad), 30 Nov 1920; Hamilton (NE)

Notes

Russell's birth date is given as 10 Feb 1853 in the census of 1901; it may have been 10 Feb 1854.


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