David Russell

• Birth date            1812-1813 at Forfar, Scotland
• Death date          31 March 1869 at Rochdale

David Russell was born in Forfar Scotland in 1812-1813, and, according to his obituary, came to Rochdale about 1838 where he commenced to practice as an architect. He is known to have had a daughter, Jessie, born in Scotland in 1837 and named as a beneficiary under the terms of his will. Further biographical details are less clear, in particular details of his marriage and his daughter Agnes Russell, listed in the 1861 census as born in Russia, a fact confirmed in Russian records but given with different parents. He died suddenly on 31 March 1869 as reported in the local press:

Sudden Death of Mr. Russell, Architect.  We regret to have to record the sudden demise of Mr. David Russell, architect, (of the firm of Russell and Whitaker, architects) which sad event occurred at his house, on the Freehold, on Wednesday afternoon. It appears that Mr. Russell, after partaking heartily of dinner, was taken suddenly ill. Dr Lawton was sent for, and although he attended promptly all efforts were unavailing and death ensued, from apoplexy, almost immediately. The deceased came to Rochdale about the year 1838, when he commenced to practice as an architect, and through diligent perseverance had been very successful in his profession. [Rochdale Observer 3 April 1869 page 5]

Death Notice      Rochdale Observer 3 April 1869 page 8 - deaths]
Obituary            Rochdale Observer 3 April 1869 page 5]