Tombstone of Elida May (Newcomb) Russell 1854-1899
Elida May (Newcomb) Russell’s Grave
I'm participating in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge started by Amy Johnson Crow, professional genealogist. Each week we use a new prompt as a theme.
Picking your favorite family history discovery is like picking your favorite piece from a box of Russell Stover chocolates. Impossible. But since I’ve been writing mostly about mom’s side, here’s one from dad’s. This trip happened in July or August of 1994 on the way home from a Hollowell family reunion in Muskogee, Oklahoma. I wrote the following shortly after.
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Rain beats down and the wipers keep a steady rhythm as we drive northeast on the Will Rodgers turnpike. On this part of our trip we skirt around Vinita, Oklahoma, former home of my great-grandfather, Henry Russell. He and his daughters Agnes, Mabel and Lida, lived there from 1907 through 1937. We had stopped at the Vinita cemetery on our way down to Muskogee for my husband's family reunion. We found Henry's grave and that of his daughter Mabel. Her tombstone tells the story of a much loved daughter and sister. Thirty years later, when Henry died, times were harder - it was 1937, depression years - and his stone is much more humble. But would we find his wife Elida's grave?
The helpful clerk at the Git-n-Go in Joplin gave clear directions to Oronogo, Missouri. North to Webb City, east past 2 stoplights, then north. Can't miss it. Rain gives way to mist as we cross over Center Creek. It is early in September and the gently rolling hills are still green. The trees have not yet begun to turn. The quarry is quiet. Small mountains of rocks surround giant rusting machines. Were those the machines Henry and his son Ben, my grandpa, saw when they worked at the quarry?
Turning west again we drive into Oronogo and another helpful clerk points southeast. I had been somewhat confident of finding Henry's grave in Vinita. He died an old man, and had had time to prepare financially for his final needs. I also had a cemetery lot number for him. But Elida died in mid-life. Had the family been able to afford a tombstone? The mist lets up as we drive into the cemetery. Forgetting my request for an organized search, the kids scatter as soon as we stop. (They are now trained to cringe when they hear the words "auction" and "cemetery". I really don't know why!) It's so easy to get side tracked by the tombstones and the stories they suggest. Humble and elaborate, simple markers and grand monuments. A well-laid out plot for a family of ten. The solitary, moss covered, lamb headstones remind me that Henry and Elida buried little Grace in an unmarked grave near Doniphan, Nebraska.
The cemetery is somewhat triangular, so I start at the far west point. I come round a tree and see on a tall, thin tombstone, "H. H. Russell". Above that is "wife of" and above that what might be a rectangle with words no longer legible. There she is. We take pictures of the tombstone and use paper and crayon for a rubbing. The name Elida M. slowly appears. A rubbing of the verse below isn't successful. Shaving cream is applied with a plastic putty knife to the name and verse.We take more pictures. Her name and the verse at the bottom are not readable. Then we wash off the shaving cream and take a last look.[2] I wonder who the last one was in our family to visit Elida's grave.
Elida was one of 24 to die of pneumonia in the area the winter of 1898-99.[1] Her daughter, Gertrude, 25, had her own family in Custer County, Nebraska. Agnes, 20, was away teaching school. (This was to signal a turning point for her. She returned home and took care of Papa until his death in 1937.) Ben was 20, Mabel was 13, and Harry, 11. Ben & Harry would be joining Gertie in Custer County over the next few years. Little Lida, age 8 when her mother died, became a missionary to Africa and then returned home to teach school.
(Obituary below photo)
Elida May (Newcomb) Russell, taken about 1895-96 in Nebraska
Obituary of Elida May (Newcomb) Russell
Elida May Newcomb was born in Deposit, N. Y., June 7, 1854. She was converted when about 18 years of age and united with the Presbyterian church. She was married to Henry H. Russell at Manchester, Iowa, October 22, 1872. From Iowa they moved to Nebraska, and from there to Oronogo, where she resided until her death, which occurred January 22, at 11:30 p.m. She was a person of strong christian (sic) character and the influence of her daily life was felt by all with whom she came in contact. She will be missed in all departments of church work, especially as an attendant on divine worship, as a teacher in the sabbath schools and a worker in the prayer meeting, but what is our loss is heaven’s gain. Her life will still redound to the glory of God in the seed she has sown.
To Mr. And Mrs. Russell seven children were born, sic of whom are still living, three of them being present at her death. Three daughters were absent, two in Nebraska and one in the Territory[3].All the children are christians, (sic) and one, Agnes, is preparing herself for missionary work.
The husband and children have the sympathy of the community in their inestimable loss.
The funeral services were held at the M. E. Church in Oronogo, conduced by Rev. E. J. Hunt, using as a text. Romans 14, 7 and 8. The remains mere (sic) laid to rest in the Oronogo cemetery.
J. C. Bell, Pastor.
[1] "Increased Number of Deaths," undated clipping, ca January 1899, The Carthage Press; viewed on microfilm labeled January 6, 1898 - January 29, 1899; Microfilm was ordered through interlibrary loan. Full source information not captured.
2 Comment: Please, genealogy world, forgive me for using shaving cream. That was the best advice at the time (1994) as a way to emphasize the letters engraved on a tombstone. I have mended my ways and will never do that again!
3 Comment: Daughter Gertrude was living in Custer County, Nebraska, baby Grace was buried in Hall County, Nebraska, and daughter Agnes was probably the one living in Indian Territory.