Biography:

Dr. John Wesley Russell was born in Kerwood (Middlesex County), Ontario on the 25th of August, 1876.  Dr. Russell was the 4th of 6 children born to  John Russell and the former Hester Ann Kerr.  His father was a Methodist Minister.  His siblings were; Mary Elizabeth Russell, Elaine Victoria Russell, Harriett Agnes Russell, Hester Ann Jeanette Russell and William George Fletcher Russell.  Dr. Russell’s family lived in a number of locations, including in the City of London, Perth County and the small community of Springfield in Elgin County.

Dr. Russell graduated from high school at the age of 15 and he farmed for one year prior to attending university.

Dr. Russell graduated M.D. from the University of Western Ontario in 1901.  While at university he enjoyed playing football.  After completing his internship he opened his medical practice in Highgate, Ontario.

Dr. Russell was living in Highgate when he married Mabel Ethel Millar on the 25th of December, 1906 in Saginaw, Michigan.  Mrs. Russell was born in Orford Township, near Highgate in February of 1881.  She was the 10th of 12 children born to Peter Levernoix Millar and the former Calista Roseberry.   Her father was a lumberman and her siblings were; Stephen Peter Millar, Abel Millar, Josephine Millar, Francis “Frank” Millar, Rose Millar, Joseph Jean Millar, Velma Louise Millar, Mason Millar, Emma Lois Millar, Napoleon Bonaparte Millar and Myron E. Millar.  The youngest child Myron died of a fever in Saginaw, Michigan in April of 1896 at the age of 6. After the Millar family moved to Saginaw, her father transitioned to work as a carpenter.

The 1903 Saginaw City Directory in Michigan records that Mrs. Calista Millar was widowed and she lived at 1211 S. Weadock Ave, with a number of her children, including Mrs. Russell who was single and a teacher at Emerson School, in Saginaw.

Dr. and Mrs. Russell had a daughter, Mabel Lois Russell born to them in Highgate on the 28th of September, 1907.  In 1909, Dr. and Mrs. Russell moved to Toronto and resided at 1084 College Street.  They had two more children, John Fletcher Russell was born on the 8th of June, 1910 and Beryl Hester Russell was born in 1919.

Dr. Russell did post graduate work in gynaecology and obstetrics in New York.  He served as a Toronto Alderman for one year and he sat as a school trustee for many years.

Dr. Russell died at his residence in Toronto on the 27th of August, 1949.  He worked right up until 2 days before his death.  Mrs. Russell died in 1965.  Dr. and Mrs. Russell were buried at Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto.

*Dr. Russell’s brother Dr. William George Fletcher Russell practiced medicine in the Toronto area.  Dr. Russell’s son, Dr John Fletcher Russell practiced medicine in Toronto.