How frequently occurs the notice that a fellow being has passed away! We could not, if we would, forget that we are dying mortals. Brother T. S. W. Russell, was born December 4, 1815. He was brought up under old Baptist influence, but at about the age of twenty years, he made a profession of religion and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in the communion of which he lived a worthy and exemplary Christian. He was married to Miss C. L. Studdurt July 15, 1838, by whom he had three children. She died sometime in 1844, leaving him with his helpless little ones to battle with the evils of this life. He was married again on the 4th of January, 1846, to Miss Mary P. Cook, by whom he had twelve children. Three of them preceded him to the better world, two dying in infancy, one a noble son, a worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Brother Russell was for several years a Ruling Elder in the Mt. Carmel congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and attended a meeting of the Obion Presbytery, at New Hope church in McCracken county, Ky., as representative from said congregation, and on the 26th of March 1850, presented himself to and was received under the care of said Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry. The difficulties that lay in his way were many, being a poor man with a large family and a very limited education; but he possessed a large share of common sense, a great resolution, indomitable zeal and courage. He at once applied himself to the task before him, and succeeded so well that on the 29th of September 1851 at Union church, Fulton county, Ky., the Presbytery proceeded to license him to preach. He at once began his work, but owing to the difficulties with whom he had to contend, his progress was necessarily slow, but still he continued his labors with that fidelity and zeal characteristic of himself, and in September, 1856, in the town of Mayfield, Graves county, Ky., was set apart to the whole work of the ministry.

While he was not a great preacher, he was a good one--he was what is called a brush-breaker. He would hunt up the waste places, preach to the people, hold protracted meetings, and organize churches, and in this way did great good. He was a whole-souled Cumberland Presbyterian, sound in the faith and doctrine; no man loved his Church better than he did. He was a good husband, a kind and affectionate father, useful citizen. To sum it all up in a few words, he was a good man, but he was mortal and subject to the decree, "Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return." He was stricken down some time in December last. His disease was very much complicated, severe cold, asthma, and lung affection. He bore his affliction as a Christian soldier, and while he expressed a desire to live on the account of his family, he was perfectly resigned, arranged his temporal affairs, and talked to his family one by one, counciling them as only a Christian man can do. He talked of his future prospects calm and quietly, which he said were all bright and happy. He lingered until the 8th of April, 1879, when quietly and peacefully he breathed his last and passed from labor below to refreshment and rest in heaven. Brethren of Obion Presbytery, another worthy brother has fallen, let us draw the mantle of charity over his failings, imitate his virtues, and be diligent in our work; soon the Master will call for us. May heaven's richest benedictions rest upon his bereaved companion and children, and may the Spirit and grace of God so direct and assist them that they may all be prepared for, and ultimately be happy participants in, a glorious reunion with husband and father in the Christian's home in heaven.
     LOVELACEVILLE, KY.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, July 17, 1879, page 1]