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However heroic and well known a soldier's life may have been, there are childhood and boyhood years of which the world knows little. The purpose of this sketch is to acquaint you
Kansans with these early years in the life of one of her adopted sons, whom she had been pleased to honor.
Avra P. Russell was born on April 7, 1833 at Marion, Wayne County, New York, on the old family
homestead which was founded by his grandfather, Daniel Russell, who pioneered from Rocky Hill, Connecticut in 1796.
Avra Russell was the fifth of nine sons born to his parents. His father , Daniel Wright
Russell, was the first white child born in Williamson, New York; his mother, Mary Turner-Russell, born in Pelham, Massachusetts was of typical New England stock.
With no sisters, but eight brothers, it may be
well imagined that the House of Russell, during Avra's childhood, was the scene of great activity. The mother, small, gentile, but of adamant firmness, required much of her boys in the way of homely household tasks,
even teaching them to knit as skillfully as girls. And during the long, cold winter evenings, while flax and wool were spun and woven for the family's clothing, and carpet rags were cut and sewed, the boys took
turns reading from the Bible and the classics. They were early taught to read and were instructed in all branches of practical education. Only the most correct English was permitted to be spoken, and any lapse in
this respect was promptly and severely dealt with.
Pride of family was instilled in their lives, and family records were jealously guarded. They were told of Olaf, the King of Rerick, from whom the House of
Russell is said to derive its descent in the sixth century; of his descendant Trustian, who accompanied William the Conqueror in the invasion of England and fought in the battle of Hastings.
From these
Scandinavian ancestors Avra boasted that he inherited his red hair and his daring courage. Be that as it may, from his childhood Avra was wont to do unexpected things. Lovable and sunny hearted, with a quick,
impetuous nature, he was a constant surprise to his conservative family.
As a lad he attended Sodus Academy, and had for his chum a young Texan, John Borden. Very alluring were the tales he heard of the
adventures waiting in Texas and Kansas. Avra's great-grandfather, Daniel Russell, was a Congregational minister and a graduate of Yale. His great-great-grandfather, Noahdiah Russell, was also a Congregational
minister and a graduate of Harvard. It was he who called in his study, the first meeting to consider the founding of Yale College and who for many subsequent weeks called meetings and worked to perfect plans which
at last culminated in establishing that great institution. These were the natures that warred for supremacy--the red headed blood-lusting Scandinavian and the gentile, scholarly Congregational ministers. Many of the
Russells were educators and several of his brothers taught school, yet when Avra was seventeen years of age he astonished everyone by accepting a school at the village of Ontario. His mother was amazed.
"Why, you foolish boy" she exclaimed, "you cannot teach that school; those big boys have turned every teacher out they have ever had."
To the delight of his family and the trustees of the
Ontario school he taught the term out. He was paid $60 per month for his work and at its close was offered $75 if he would teach the school next winter. This offer he rejected and instead of following the path of
decorum he purchased a pair of Arabian horses and a gorgeous red wagon, lettered in white, and drove to Rochester, where he filled it with notions and went through the country selling his goods, ending his journey
in Lockport, Illinois. Here he sold his magnificent outfit, the outfit that filled his boyish heart with delight, and engaged in business. He made money here and with his magnetic personality, many friends. Best of
all, he won the love of a charming girl.
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