3 Mar 2002
Husband: Frank Henry RUSS Census name Francis Henry Russ died at age: 41
Born: 1847
Died: 6 Dec 1888 at 35 Newark Drive Pollokshields Glasgow 1,2
Emigrated: 1862 to London with elder brother CCGR
Event: author of "Skins and Furs" 3
Census: 1881 at St Vincent Villa Ventnor IOW 4
Cause of death: Disease of Liver; congestion of lungs 5
Occupation: cutter in London 6
Occupation: 1878 Furrier in Buchanan St Glasgow 7,8
Occupation: 1883 Furrier at 132 Princes St Edinburgh
Father: Christian Karl Gottfried RUSS
Mother: Frederika Wilhelmina RUDIGER
MJH: [Oct 01]This is our current surmise. It provides a link to the Glasgow/Edinburgh
furriers Russ & Winkler - who are real. But it means that CCGR came to Scotland
with his brother NOT his cousin - vide DK p10. Then - did FHR also have a son
Frank, who went to the USA - New York, working as a furrier and making a fortune
- vide ABR p235 and Uncle Will's funeral note: 1881 Census gives us a Frank H
Russ for this potential family. Link to Alfred Rudiger Russ is also speculative
at this stage!
[Feb 02] Tracing legatees under the will of Louie Burton Russ has produced a family
tree for Frank Henry Russ, which confirms these assumptions.
Wife: Mercy Ann BURTON Other name Mercy Anne BUNKER died at age: 67
Married: 13 Feb 1870 in London 9
Resided (family): 1881 at Auchindale Lenzie Rd Dumbarton 10
Resided (family): 1885 at The Crescent 3 Leslie Road Pollokshields 11
Born: 1845 in England 12
Died: 1912 in Pollokshields Glasgow 5
Resided: 1891 at 35 Newark Drive Pollokshields Glasgow
Event: 30 Mar 1901 not shown at 35 Newark Drive Glasgow 13
Father: John BURTON
Mother: Sarah UNKNOWN
MJH: [Dec 01] Mercy Ann Bunker is the name shown in the manuscript section of a BDR/CSF family
tree. The 1881 Census has Mary Ann Russ, furrier's wife. It is assumed - at this stage - she is the
wife of F H Russ, who was away from home at the time of the Census.
[Feb 02] Details confirmed from several sources
F Child 1: Ada Pauline RUSS Census name Ada B Russ died at age: 61
Born: 1870 in England 14
Died: 1931
Event: 10 Dec 1888 in Glasgow - notified death of father at 35 Newark Drive Pollokshields 15
Spouse: Stewart LAWRIE b. 1859 d. 1931
F Child 2: Annie L R RUSS died at age: 82
Born: 1872 in England 16
Died: 1954
Resided: 1882 with Mr & Mrs Robb 17
Spouse: John CALDERWOOD
F Child 3: Jessie A RUSS died at age: 80
Born: 1874 in England 14
Died: 1954
Spouse: David SCOTT
F Child 4: Gertrude RUSS died at age: 59
Born: 1876 in England 14
Died: 1935
Census: 30 Mar 1901 at 35 Newark Drive Kinning Park Glasgow 18
Spouse: Andrew ANDERSON
F Child 5: Augustina Elizabeth RUSS died at age: 71
Born: 3 Jul 1878 at 219 Byres Road Partick 19,20
Died: 1950
Census: 30 Mar 1901 at 35 Newark Drive Kinning Park Glasgow 21
Spouse: John STEWART Also known as Jack b. 1876 d. 1943
M Child 6: Frank H RUSS II died at age: 86
Born: 15 Nov 1879 in Lenzie Dumbarton 14,22
Died: Jan 1966 in Saranac Lake NY 23
Emigrated: 1901 to New York City 24
Occupation: - 1901 furrier in his father's business in Glasgow
Occupation: c 1935 furrier business in Saranac Lake NY closed 25
Spouse: Mae Virginia POLGLASE b. 1882 d. 1916
Married: 1907
Spouse: Doris RODWELL
Married: 1918
F Child 7: Mercy RUSS Other name Mercy Anne died at age: 0
Born: 18 Jan 1881 at Auchindale Lenzie Kirkintilloch 26
Died: 27 Jan 1881 at Auchindale Lenzie Kirkintilloch 27
Cause of death: General weakness of vital organs from premature birth 28
M Child 8: Alfred Rudiger RUSS
Born: 18 May 1885 at The Crescent 3 Leslie Road Pollokshields 29,30
Graduated: trained and apprenticed in Glasgow as accountant 31
Died: ?
Census: 30 Mar 1901 at 35 Newark Drive Kinning Park Glasgow 21
Occupation: Chartered accountant
Spouse: Hilda PARKER
Married: 7 Nov 1914 32
Sources:
(1) Newspaper, 'SCOTLAND OF TODAY & Edinburgh its capital' 1890
Mr. F. H. Russ died in December, 1888.
(2) Certified Copy of Death Certificate, Frank Henry Russ - Manufacturing Furrier
(married to Mercy Ann Burton) died at 9:35 pm at 35 Newark Drive, Pollockshields
aged 41. Father: Christian Karl Gottfried Russ - Manufacturing Furrier
(deceased) Mother: Fredericka Wilhelmina Sophie Russ - maiden name von Rudiger
(deceased). Informant - Ada Russ daughter [residing at 35 Newark Drive]
(3) R Russ Winkler, Furs and Furriery, (MacNiven & Wallace, 1899), 'The late
F.H. Russ of Glasgow, in his work on "Skins and Furs", and speaking from his own
experience, says: "The training of German youths to the trade is very severe and
trying, and embraces every branch of the art - dressing, dyeing, cleaning,
cutting, sewing, lining, beating, preserving from moths, and also the selling of
the goods; thus there is laid a solid foundation, not only of complete practical
knowledge of the trade, but also of commercial intercourse." The Germans are
quick workers, and they supply the demand for workmen from France, Great Britain
and America; in fact, practical furriery in the British Isles is almost
exclusively in the hands of German furriers residing in Britain. Englishmen
generally look upon the work as unhealthy, an opinion which fur-workers
themselves do not share', 8.
(4) Census 1881, Frank H REUSS married age 33 Birthplace Saxony. Head of
household - manufacturing furrier, MJH: surmise - he was convalescent.
(5) Certified Copy of Death Certificate.
(6) Newspaper, 'SCOTLAND OF TODAY & Edinburgh its capital' 1890
F. H. Russ, The Manufacturing Furrier, 132, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
One of the largest and most influential houses in Scotland extensively engaged
in the fur industry is undoubtedly that of Mr. F. H. Russ. The business was
established about twelve years ago in Glasgow by the above-named gentleman, and
so successful were the operations in that city that Mr. Russ opened the Edinburgh
establishment about five years since. The premises are admirably situated for a
high-class business like this, and comprise a large and handsome shop with very
fine plate-glass frontage, also a spacious showroom above, together with extensive
warehouse accommodation, well appointed work-rooms, and every convenience for the
effective and economical working of the business. The beautiful windows contain a
splendid display of rich and rare furs, both in the skin and in made-up, and form
a prominent and attractive feature of this noble thoroughfare. The interior of both
shop and showrooms is fitted up in excellent keeping with the high tone of the
establishment. The firm are strictly manufacturers, not merely dealers in furs.
The late Mr. Russ, it may be noted, was one of the very finest cutters out of London,
and in every sense of the word a thoroughly practical man: at the present the firm
have several of the best cutters in the country, initiated by Mr. Russ. It would be
difficult within the limits of the present article to enumerate the various kinds
of furs composing this large and valuable stock, there being in fact specimens of
every kind of fur known to the trade and from every part of the globe. It is
interesting, however, to note a few of the more prominent, as Alaska seal, skunk,
sable, sable and marten tails, red, cross, silver, white and grey fox, mink,
chinchilla, beaver, otter, squirrel, bear, musquash, &c., of which many splendid
specimens are on view; also ladies' cloaks, paletôts, hats, travelling caps. muffs,
carriage rugs, hearth rugs, boas, gloves, jackets, visites, dolmans, capes,
gentlemen's fur-lined coats, driving cloaks, &c., beautifully made of the above
and other furs and cut in the most fashionable styles. Alaska sealskin, the most
durable and only profitable of all sealskins, forms a speciality of the firm,
having for years been made a special study. It is acknowledged that for style,
cut, fit, beauty of workmanship, no less than for superiority of value, the
productions of this firm cannot be equalled by any other in the country, and it
is interesting to note that besides the large and costly stock of Alaska seals -
the only kind used in this establishment - ladies are shown some specimens of
inferior sorts of seals kept for inspection, of which sorts, it is believed,
hundreds are every year foisted upon an ignorant public by unscrupulous dealers
as the real Alaska seal. The business is now in possession of and under the able
and energetic management of Mr. Richard Winkler, nephew to the late Mr. Russ, who
possesses the advantage of long and thorough practical experience and many special
qualifications for this many-sided trade.
Mr. F. H. Russ died in December, 1888. The firm have many customers in America
and other parts abroad; they also number among their patrons many of the nobility
and aristocracy, as well as the leading members of fashionable society in Edinburgh
and the district.
(7) R Russ Winkler, Furs and Furriery, (MacNiven & Wallace, 1899), 'he must
gratefully acknowledge his indebtedness to his uncle, the late Mr F.H. Russ of
Glasgow', Preface.
(8) Ind, FG: to Glasgow to Buchanan St - the street for fashion.
(9) Certified Copy, Evidence from birth certificates of children.
(10) Census 1881, Dwelling: Auchindale Lenzie Rd
Census Place: Kirkintilloch, Dumbarton, Scotland
Source: FHL Film 0203550 GRO Ref Volume 498 EnumDist 13 Page 5
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Mary Ann RUSS M 36 F England
Rel: Wife (Head)
Occ: Furriers Wife
Ada B. RUSS U 10 F England
Rel: Daur
Occ: Scholar
Jessie A. RUSS U 6 F England
Rel: Daur
Occ: Scholar
Angaline E. RUSS U 2 F Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland
Rel: Daur
Gertrude RUSS U 4 F England
Rel: Daur
Frank H. RUSS U 1 M Lenzie, Dunbarton, Scotland
Rel: Son
Jane M. COCHRAN U 50 F Paisley, Renfrew, Scotland
Rel: Serv
Occ: Sick
Nurse
Charlot A. WOTHERSPOON U 22 F England
Rel: Serv
Occ: Nurse
Mary MC DONALD U 18 F Ruilick, Inverness, Scotland
Rel: Serv
Occ: Table Maid
Neighbours in Lenzie Road - two houses empty and one still building: this
suggests Lenzie Road was a new development in 1881
Monkland Cottage Henry Hendry Mason's labourer
Sunnyknowe Mary McLean House proprietor
Whitcomb Villa Alexander Campbell Writer - inspector of poor
Pomoma Villa Donald McQuarrie Rector Lenzie Academy
Woodlands Lodge William Hudson Domestic gardener
Inglebank Isabella Howell House furnisher's wife
Post Office Bldgs Alexander Baird Merchant
Glenalmond Cottage William Page Agent Trimming manufacturer
Frank Henry Russ is not present - and his wife is shown as Head of household. We know he was at
Ventnor in the Isle of Wight, probably in a TB sanitorium.
(11) Certified Copy, from birth certificate of Alfred Rudiger Russ.
(12) Census 1881, by subtraction.
(13) Census 1901, Mercy Ann Russ and her children Ada, Jessie and Frank are not
shown at this address on Census Day.
(14) Census 1881.
(15) Census 1881, Ada Russ daughter present, Implication therefore that she also
lived at 35 Newark Drive Pollokshields in 1888. She was 17 at the time - so why
was she accepted as the informant? Not because her mother had died - FHR is
shown as 'Married' not 'Widower'.
(16) Census 1891.
(17) Individual, Ind, Letter from Frank Henry Russ to 'My darling little Anne',
see ../texts/fhranne.txt.
(18) Census 1901, Gertrude C Russ daur single age 24
Augustine E daur single 22
Alfred R son age 15 scholar
Margaret Barry servant single age 21 born Dalrymple Ayrshire
House had 13 rooms with one or more window.
(19) Certified Copy, at 9h 30m pm to Francis Henry Russ furrier and Mercy Ann Russ
MS Burton marreid 1870 February 13th London. Birth informant Mercy Ann Russ.
(20) Census 1881, Census entry has her name as Angaline E Russ.
(21) Census 1901.
(22) Individual, Ind, Dr F H Russ III.
(23) Individual, Ind, Dr F H Russ III.
(24) Ind, FHR III: FHR II studied the furrier trade under his father's firm in
Glasgow. It is uncertain why he decided to emigrate to the west but did so in
1901. He arrived in New York City with the intention of going on either to
Toronto or what is now Tulsa Oklahoma. However he never made it to either of
theose cities. He went to work as a furrier in the city. He met [his wife] who
resided in Brooklyn but was from Cornwall and they married in about 1907.
(25) Ind, FHR III: FHR II and then his wife both contracted TB. Saranac Lake NY
was widely known as a tubercular treatment center. There were many facilities,
or 'fresh air camps', located there with many doctors specialising in the
treatment of TB. Frank Russ II moved with his wife to this area to take
advantage of the treatment facilities. Frank II opened up a furrier business
in Saranac Lake. Located about 12 miles from Lake Placid NY, both communities
were considered 'resort' towns and many rich and famous persons vacationed there
and owned magnificent second residences in the towns. Frank II's furrier
business was quite successful, shipping his products from Saranac all over the
US. His clientele included such luminaries as John Jacob Astor and Ernest
Hemingway. However in about 1934 the depression literally ruined the business
and he ceased the business in the mid 30's.
(26) Certified Copy, at 4h 0m pm to Frank Henry Russ furrier and Mercy Ann Russ MS
Burton. Informant F H Russ, registered at the same time as her death.
(27) Certified Copy, at 3h 0m am informant F H Russ.
(28) Certified Copy.
(29) Certified Copy, at 6h 45m pm to Frank Henry Russ Manufacturing furrier and
Mercy Ann Russ MS Burton. Informant F H Russ.
(30) Census 1891, 35 Newark Drive Pollokshields - Alfred R Russ age 5 born Lanark
Glasgow.
(31) Individual, Ind, information from Ann Turner, for whose father's wedding ARR
was best man in 1913.
(32) Individual, Ind, Legacy from LB Russ to Patricia van Binsbergen-Meynell "gold
weding ring that belonged to my mother inscribed on the inside ARR - HP 7th Nov
1914".
Name Index