"Ma Russell Raves"

 

(from a project in progess)

AKA: Emma, after Joseph

To understand the title, you will have to read on)

After Joseph died, Emma continued to live on Cedar Avenue for a few years. Her sister returned from Chicago and went to live with her, before moving into the house next door for a while. The comings and goings involving Maria and Cedar Avenue have been detailed in the previous chapter.

Mabel reached adulthood and eventually married on Cedar Avenue in 1903. We will return to Mabel’s story briefly in our final chapter.

After Joseph’s death, Emma lived on for over thirty years, but there are some gaps in her known history.

Some sources give a 1910 census reference for Emma as living in Pittsburgh, Ward 4, Allegheny. She is a dressmaker on her own account. At least one critic suggested that the Russell family left her almost penniless, hence the need to work at dressmaking. This is so wrong on several levels. First, and most obviously, this is the wrong person. This Emma is Emma A Russell. One can see how Emma might revert to Ackley rather than Hammond for her middle name, but although the age fits, this Emma is Single, not Widowed. Of course, that could be a choice when the enumerator called. But this Emma’s father was born in England, whereas Mahlon Ackley was born in New Jersey. This Emma is in rented accommodation, whereas our Emma inherited two houses when Joseph died in 1897, and as we will see shortly, sold off land for nearly $5000 in 1900; hardly penury. Perhaps the best evidence for this not being our person of interest is the 1900 census. Joseph Lytle’s widow is there in Cedar Avenue, as we would expect. But so is the other Emma A Russell, dressmaker. She is the right age and living with her widowed mother in rented accommodation in Pittsburgh. Here they are, side by side, in the 1902 Trade Directory for Pittsburgh:

By the 1908 directory, Emma has moved out of town to Glenn Avenue in Wilkinsburg, in a straight line this would be about six miles away from Cedar Avenue. From the 1908 Pittsburgh City Directory:

Just to compound the potential for confusion, both Emma A Russell, dressmaker, and Emma H Russell, Joseph’s widow and Maria’s sister, died within a month of each other, in February and March 1929. Life can be full of coincidences at times.

We are on firmer ground with newspaper reports about the Ackley family. In the real estate section of the Pittsburgh Post for 16 January 1900, we have Emma selling land to her sister, Laura. (Paynar is an obvious misprint for Raynor).

Then we have the issues in Cedar Avenue already mentioned in the previous chapter. Emma (and Mabel) garnered a special mention in The Pittsburgh Post for 19 March 1903, when they had to appear before Alderman Walter Wadsworth, acting in the capacity of magistrate. The newspaper made a valiant effort to try to explain the relationships:

“Mrs. Emma H Russell, who is step-mother and sister-in-law of Mr. Russell, she being his wife’s sister and his father’s widow, and Mabel Russell, his half sister, appeared before Alderman Walter Wadsworth, of Allegheny, yesterday, on a charge of forcible entry and detainer, preferred by Mrs. M.M. Land.”

Margaretta Land, CTR’s sister, had accused them of locking her up and forcibly taking possession of the disputed property. The charges were dismissed for lack of evidence, and the invading parties advised to ask “for peaceable entrance to the residence, and if that privilege was denied” to go through the proper channels.

We next travel a number of years to 1917 when Emma’s older sister, Laura Raynor, died. The announcement of her passing in The Pittsburgh Press (23 July 1917), noted her surviving relatives included Emma Russell, who is now of Bellevue, another suburb of the greater Pittsburgh area. Her sister, Selena Barto, is also in the same area.

In the aftermath of Laura’s death, there is a legal issue, aired in 1920. Listing current court cases, the Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette for 12 October 1920 noted:

#

The two executors are Laura’s son-in-law and son. We don’t know the business dealings that prompted this legal action or how the case was resolved.

Then, her brother Lemuel, is murdered.

The story of his death lists his three surviving sisters. From the Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette for 31 July 1921:

Emma is now “formerly an official of Bethany College.” Her obituary (Tampa Bay Times, 6 February 1929) calls her the Dean of Women at the College. A telephone call to the College several decades ago elicited that she had been Matron of Phillips Hall.

These different descriptions do fit together. The college was founded by Alexander Campbell, linked to the Restoration movement (Disciples of Christ) as an all-male institution. When it eventually admitted women in the 1880s and became co-educational, it was necessary to make special provision for the welfare of female students. The Matron (later Dean of Women) was not a teaching position but more a welfare post at the College.

It was a post that particularly went to older women, often widows who had raised families, who had a certain administrative ability and social standing.

It has not been possible to trace Emma in the 1920 census. An exhaustive search of the 1920 U.S. Census indexes and a page-by-page review of surviving Brooke County census images failed to locate either Emma or even a census enumeration of Bethany College. The small town of Bethany is there, filed under Brooke County, Buffalo District, but not the College. This absence of the college population suggests the relevant schedule either went missing, was misfiled, or was never actually scanned for inclusion in currently accessible census reproductions. A lot can happen in one hundred years.

Fortunately, we have proof of Emma at Bethany College from both the newspapers already mentioned, and crucially from Bethany College direct.

The College published an annual Yearbook (and still does), which detailed all academic activities, as well as all student clubs and associations. It had a humorous diary supplied by students of extracurricular activities. We find a few references to Emma in it.

For example, in 1920, The Bethanian published a photograph of the Young Women’s Christian Association for the college. The members – not all YOUNG Women - posed for their picture:

Unfortunately, the key is not linked to the actual photograph; it just supplies the members’ names in alphabetical order. The list includes Emma:

The students’ section carried jokes and news of the day. Some examples from 1920:

From the 1921 Bethanian, with a reference to Emma’s domain, Phillips Hall, and with a typical student attitude toward their elders, the student diary for December 1920 records:

Emma retired around 1922 and her 1929 Tampa Bay Tribune obituary noted that she’d held this position for eight years prior to retirement, which would take us back to around 1914. Perhaps the big question to ask is how Emma came to get such a prestigious job. “As the crow flies,” Bethany is only about 35 miles from Allegheny, but in Emma’s day, you would need to use a wagon or early motor vehicle to get to a railroad station at the Bethany end.

There is probably a whole story here that eludes us.

But – MA RUSSELL RAVES.

Now there’s an epitaph for you.

 

(Onto THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF EMMA HAMMOND RUSSELL)

The Last Will and Testament of Emma Hammond Russell

 

(from a project in progress)

Maria and Emma set up home together (again) in St Petersburg, Florida, at East 516 Fourteenth Avenue North in 1922. (See photograph and newspaper cutting in the previous chapter).

As with Emma and Joseph in the 1880s and 1890s, the hot summer climate in Florida caused an exodus north for several months each year, at least for those who had the financial means to do so. This appears to be what Emma and Maria did. Two news snippets from 1927 tell the story for that year. From The Tampa Tribune (Florida) for 16 October 1927:

A week before, The Asheville Times (North Carolina) for 9 October 1927:

Putting the two accounts together, Emma and Maria left Florida when it was just too hot in the summer. They went to Hendersonville, North Carolina, and stayed there for the summer and early fall. Making a brief detour to visit a sister in Pittsburgh (Selena Barto), they then returned to St Petersburg, Florida, to spend the winter there. They obviously were sufficiently well-placed financially to make such choices.

In September 1928, just a few months before she died in February 1929, Emma wrote her last will and testament. The terms were quite straightforward.  If she died before Maria, then she left her share of their home to Maria with a lifetime interest, but with the understanding that daughter Mabel, or if necessary her heirs, would eventually inherit.

(transcript)

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF EMMA H. RUSSELL

I, Emma H. Russell, of the City of St. Petersburg, County of Pinellas, State of Florida, being of full age, sound mind and disposing memory and realizing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, do make, declare and publish this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking any and all Wills that I may have heretofore made.

FIRST: It is my will that all my lawful debts be paid as soon as practicable after my death.

SECOND: I give, devise and bequeath unto my sister, Mrs. Maria F. Russell, if she survive me, all my right, title and interest, being a one-half undivided interest, in and to that certain house, now known as East 516 – 14th Avenue North, in the City of St. Petersburg, Florida, the furniture located in said house and the lot of land upon which said house is located (all of said property now being owned by myself and my said sister in equal undivided portions and used by us as our home), to have and to hold same for and during her natural life; provided and upon the condition that my said sister, during said time, keep said house in repair and all taxes and assessments on and against said property paid.

THIRD: I give, devise and bequeath to my daughter, Mrs. Mabel Russell Packard, in the event she survives my said sister, Mrs. Maria F. Russell, the remainder, after the life estate mentioned in second paragraph of this Will, in the above described property, to have and hold same unto her, her heirs and assigns forever. But in the event my said daughter be dead at the death of the survivor of myself and my said sister, Mrs. Maria F. Russell, I give, devise and bequeath the remainder, after said life estate, to all the children of my said daughter, Mabel Russell Packard, living at that time, andTop of Form the issue then living of such of them as shall then be dead leaving issue then living, and their respective heirs and assigns, as tenants in common, in equal shares as between brothers and sisters, but so the issue of any child so dying shall take between themselves in equal shares only the share which their parent would have taken, if living.Bottom of Form

FOURTH: I give, devise and bequeath all the residue and remainder of my property, real, personal and mixed, wheresoever situated, or which I shall be seized or possessed, or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my death, to my said daughter, Mabel Russell Packard, to have and to hold unto her, her heirs and assigns forever. But in the event I survive my said daughter, then I give, devise and bequeath all of said residue and remainder of my said property, aforesaid, to the children of my said daughter, Mabel Russell Packard, living at my death, and the issue then living of such of them as shall then be dead leaving issue then living, and their respective heirs and assigns, as tenants in common, in equal shares as between brothers and sisters; but so the issue of any child so dying shall take between themselves in equal shares only the share which their parent would have taken, if living.

FIFTH: I do hereby nominate and appoint my said daughter, Mrs. Mabel Russell Packard, to be the Executor of this My Last Will and Testament, if she survives me, but in the event she be not then living I appoint and nominate James Russell Packard and Mildred Packard, to be the Executor and Executrix of this My Last Will and Testament, and it is my desire that there be no bond required of either said Executor or Executrix.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I hereunto set my hand and seal, and publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, in the presence of the witnesses named below this the 13th day of September A.D. 1928.

Emma H. Russell (SEAL)                     

The above instrument was subscribed by the said Emma H. Russell in our presence and acknowledged by her to each of us; and she at the same time declared the above instrument, so subscribed, to be her last will and testamemt, and at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other we have hereunto signed our names as witnesses thereto and set opposite our names our respective places of residence.

(Two signatures follow, both of St. Petersburg, Florida, but in the extant copy, they have been obscured by an official stamp).

Emma died in early 1929. From the Tampa Bay Times for 6 February 1929:

Only one photograph of Emma is in general circulation. It was originally provided by descendants several decades ago. Below is the picture, taken on the steps of the home she shared with Maria from the end of 1922 until her death in 1929.

Emma was laid to rest in the family plot in the Royal Palm South Cemetery in St Petersburg, Florida. Her son-in-law, Richard Packard, was the first to be buried there, then Emma herself, then her sister Maria, and finally her daughter Mabel Russell Packard.

Photograph by Christopher Gross

Emma and Maria had lived together as children in the family home; they had lived under the same roof before Emma’s marriage; they had lived together in Cedar Avenue when Maria left CTR; and now, for the last six years or more, they lived together in the house in Florida.

The 1930 census shows that, after Emma’s death, Maria continued living in the Florida home on her own. When Maria died it was left to Emma’s daughter, Mabel Russell Packard, and Mabel was living at this address when she died in 1961.

 

Charles Cyrus Cook

 C. C. Cook was the author of anti-Russell booklets and publisher of others. One university library catalog lists him as Mennonite. I cannot verify that. Can you find a brief biography and can we verify his religious affiliation? 

Photo clean up??

 Can you improve photo quality? Please.

Photo Drama and Talk Invitation. c. 1920

Currently on ebay. No mine.

 

Joseph on the Move

Joseph Russell and Emma Ackley were married in mid-1880. Their one child, Mabel, was born in September 1881.

(continuing an ongoing project)

     With Mabel born and the family a threesome, Joseph withdrew from business affairs in Pittsburgh and became a reasonably comfortable family man and retiree.

     Like others with sufficient income or capital, Joseph moved the family down to Florida by the mid-1880s. Pittsburgh had below-freezing winters, whereas Florida had winters when many would still eat outdoors. As a result, winter was the tourist season for Florida. Conversely, summers in Pittsburgh were pleasant, while summers in Florida were just too hot. If you had good sense and sufficient resources, you would have homes both north and south for different seasons of the year.

     This is what Joseph and Emma did.

     They first appear in the 1885 Florida census. Although there are some discrepancies in the recorded ages, the entry is a reasonable match for this family. The census was taken in Hillsborough County, Florida, with an official census date of 1 June 1885; however, enumerators conducted door-to-door visits th

     So we have Joseph L Russel (sic), who is the head and who admits to being 70 (actually just a few weeks short of 72).

     Then there is his wife, who, annoyingly for our purpose, is only recorded as Mrs J L Russel (sic) aged 24 (actually 29), and finally a daughter. The entry appears to read Mamie (?), which could be a pet name for Mabel, listed as aged 4 (technically still 3). Joseph gives his occupation as “Capitalist.”

     The Florida connections are on firmer ground in 1888 when a letter from Joseph was published in Zion’s Watch Tower for May 1888. It offered general encouragement and the offer of land near Pinellas as a donation to the Watch Tower Society. The letter was sent from Manatee County, Florida.

     Manatee and Hillsborough are adjoining counties, and the whole region is called Tampa Bay on the Gulf of Mexico coast.

     A further letter from Joseph, published in the magazine for March 1889 (sending love from himself and “joined by wife and Mabel”) was addressed simply from Florida.

     The idea of commuting north and south is supported by several news reports from Florida newspapers.

     The Manatee River Journal and Bradentown Herald for 26 September 1889 carried a letter to the editor from Joseph. It was dated 21 September 1889 and was sent from Allegheny, Pa. It was mainly about giving support to proposed civic improvements. But Joseph ended his letter:

The same newspaper on 24 October 1889 welcomed the family back:

     The family either moved around a bit in the area, or had a portfolio of several assets, because over 1889-1890, there were several properties offered for sale by Joseph.

     From the Semi-Weekly Times-Union of Jacksonville, Florida, for 17 January 1889:

     The reason given for the sale was that Joseph was now too old to attend to the orange groves.

     Several similar advertisements appeared in the local papers for either properties for sale, or house clearance of contents. Over a year later, The Tampa Journal for 13 February 1890 carried a similar advertisement:

FLORIDA HOME FOR SALE: — On Manatee Bay Gulf Coast, is high and dry; has been a lovely home for 30 years and is a most delightful healthy climate; plenty of fish, oysters, boating, fishing and hunting, orange groves, lemons, guavas, plums and grape fruit, all in full bearing; good transportation; excellent society, churches and schools, good stores, daily mail and the best climate on earth; County Court House is here. For terms address,  J. L. RUSSELL, Bradentown, Fla.

     Moving forward another nine months, Joseph appears to be handling several Florida properties. From the Semi-Weekly Times Union of Jacksonville, Florida, for 20 November 1890:

FLORIDA HOMES FOR SALE.—A gentleman who has lived several years in Florida, and who has traveled over most of the state, has selected some of the most desirable and healthy locations on the Gulf Coast, where there is plenty of fish and oysters, and excellent hunting and fishing all the year through, and the most delightful climate in the world, where the salt water breezes give health and strength to the delicate constitution. The owner of these beautiful properties, wishes (on account of old age) to sell any of these properties at a low price, and give long time to pay. For particulars and description of properties, address Joseph L. Russell, Marion, North Carolina.

     Several things to note: Joseph again cites his age as the reason for the sale, he seems to be after a quick sale with the “low price and long time to pay” mantra, and he is no longer in Florida at this time, but in North Carolina.

     Depending on where in Marion, North Carolina, the family was, this would be anything from 500 to 700 miles from the Gulf Coast, where they’d been previously.

     To pinpoint the next locations for Joseph and Emma, we can turn to two daughters of Laura Raynor, one of Emma’s older sisters, who still lived in Pittsburgh and whom we have met earlier.

     The first daughter was Selina G Raynor. The Pittsburgh Press for 8 August 1891 noted that:

Miss S G Raynor, of Euclid Avenue, has returned from a visit to her aunt, Mrs J L Russell, of North Carolina.

     Joseph and Emma had been in Marion, North Carolina, where he was trying to sell Florida properties (plural) in October 1890 (see above). In 1891, Joseph was also endeavouring to sell a property in Marion itself. From the Semi-Weekly Times-Union of Jacksonville, Florida, for 28 May 1891, we have Joseph’s small ad:

    If we go forward another two years, we have Selina’s sister, May Frances Raynor, who is now visiting her Aunt Emma. From The Pittsburgh Press for 5 September 1893:

Miss May F. Raynor, of Euclid Avenue, Allegheny, who has been spending the summer with her aunt, Mrs J. L. Russell, of Ashland, Va. Is now registered at Deer Park, Md., and is expected home September 12.

     The Russells (Emma and Joseph) are no longer at Marion, North Carolina; now they are at Ashland, Virginia, “as the crow flies” about 300 miles away.

     And what then happens to their home at Ashland? Two years later, the Richmond Dispatch for 3 March 1895 carries a familiar-looking advertisement:

 

     Two things we learn from this.

     First: Joseph was frequently selling (and one assumes purchasing) homes. His last will and testament is full of investments in land, and stocks, and shares, showing how he liked to speculate – not always successfully. At the end of his life, he still owned four houses, three in Pittsburgh and one in Florida.

     Second: Joseph and Emma (and Mabel) seemed to be forever moving from place to place, and never really settling down.

    Towards the end, they retreated to Allegheny and Pittsburgh and the home on Cedar Avenue where they’d begun married life, and Mabel went off to Miss Barclay’s School for Girls in North Avenue, Allegheny City, to complete an education. As noted in the previous chapter, CTR specifically blamed Emma for Maria’s transformation. Whatever Emma’s influence may have been, it would have depended upon continued personal contact between the two women — contact CTR attempted to restrict. Testimony from the 1906 Russell v. Russell hearing indicates that he forbade Emma from visiting Bible House and asked his father not to invite Maria to Cedar Avenue.

     Sadly, as Joseph reached the end of his life, his home was not a happy one. The family conflicts were to be exacerbated by his last will and testament, with Maria taking up the cudgels on behalf of her sister, as evidenced by her meeting with Page and Tuttle in the previous chapter.

 

     Go on to discuss the will, its background and provisions. To actually read the existing will in full, see: https://truthhistory.blogspot.com/2026/03/last-will-and-testament-of-joseph-lytle.html

Joseph and Emma

 (An extract from a forthcoming project)

     Fifteen months or more after CTR and Maria married, CTR’s father and Maria’s sister followed suit. Joseph Lytle, approaching 67, was to marry Maria’s younger sister, Emma, aged 24, in mid-1880.

     For more precise dating, see the post: https://truthhistory.blogspot.com/2026/04/when-did-joseph-marry-emma.html

     It may seem strange to modern readers that there could be such a disparity in ages, although it still happens on occasion. In the world of 19^th-century America, it was not uncommon for a widower to marry someone younger, and for a younger woman to choose such a marriage for financial stability and security. Emma, as her life later showed, was certainly very concerned about financial security.

     There were other factors, too, that may have contributed to this marriage. Charles and Joseph were very close. Maria and Emma were very close. Charles and Maria had just gotten married. At the time, they all shared the same strong religious convictions. Those convictions included strong beliefs about the near future, specifically 1881, a year frequently mentioned in early Zion’s Watch Tower magazines. As an example, from the December 1880 issue:

Soon, probably by, possibly before, the fall of 1881, we shall be changed—born of the spirit [of which we are now begotten] into the glorious likeness of our head.

     Of course, the way history worked out, they were not “changed” at all, but around December 1880, Emma did fall pregnant with Mabel.

 

Churchgoers Astonished

 

The New York Herald for 15 August 1881 carried a column on page one, entitled CHURCHGOERS ASTONISHED.

(Transcription)

CHURCHGOERS ASTONISHED.

Fifty-four Thousand Copies of a Remarkable Pamphlet Distributed Among Them.

  One week ago yesterday an attempt was made by persons then unknown to have several thousand copies of a pamphlet entitled “Food for Thinking Christians: Why Evil was Permitted, and Kindred Topics,” distributed at the doors of all the large churches in Newark. Men in carriages left packages containing 100 copies or more at the churches, with the request that they be given out to the people. At some churches they were distributed, but in most instances the sextons showed them to the ministers, and were told by the latter to keep them, which they did. At the Park Presbyterian Church the pamphlets were left on the stoop, and were then taken to the Second Precinct police station. No clergyman could find out from whom the pamphlets came.

  Yesterday morning messenger boys appeared at all the churches where the books had been left, and said they were directed to obtain them and give them out to the people. The Rev. H. Goodwin of the House of Prayer (Episcopal) sent back word by the messenger that he would not give them up until ownership was proved. Mr. Goodwin had intended to burn the books but concluded he had no right to do so, and still holds them. From the pulpit yesterday morning he referred to the matter, and said that he admired the zeal of the owners of the books, and thought their impudence was grand.

  The messenger boys reported that they were able to distribute only a few of the pamphlets. At several churches they were told that there were no books there, and when they undertook to give them out at other churches they were hustled away, or “booted off,” as some of them expressed it.

  It was learned yesterday that the pamphlets at the police station had been claimed and taken away by some one signing his name as A. M. Bergner. Mr. Bergner was found at his house in Newark. He frankly said he had been engaged in circulating the pamphlets, and was willing to talk on the subject. Being ushered into the dining room, the reporter observed that a religious meeting was in progress in the parlor. Mr. Bergner is about 40 years old, with a fair face and light hair and beard. He is of medium height, and has clearly cut and rather handsome features.

  “I belong,” he said, “to a company of Christians who have no common name. We are not Second Adventists, as has been inferred from the pamphlet, and we are not the ‘Holiness’ or ‘Higher Life’ sect. We have members all over America, England, Australia, I think, and probably in Germany. We commenced our meetings in Newark about nine months ago, and hold them every Sunday and during the week here and at Mr. Sturtevant’s house in Jenkins street. The meetings are for devotional and Bible study. We are opposed to the teachings of the churches on several points. What they teach about hell and immortality is nonsense. There is no hell. There will be eternal life for those who serve God; the wicked will also be resurrected and have a second probation during the millennium. But you can’t understand our doctrines unless you read the pamphlet about which so much fuss is made. It was written by C. T. Russell of Pittsburgh, and 500,000 copies are to be distributed in this country at an expense of $30,000. Six thousand copies were sent out here last Sunday, and only 20,000 copies are to be given out at church doors in New York. The ministers will say, ‘Burn them!’ and will be like the Romans who used to burn the Bible. This fuss caused an inquiry for the book. To-day I went to the Park Presbyterian Church and the Belleville Avenue Congregational with 120 copies, and the people eagerly took every one. I went to the Park Presbyterian because of the minister’s audacity in putting them out on the stoop last Sunday without first reading one. I can’t tell you how many books reached the people last Sunday. I am told that in the Sunday school of the Fifth Baptist Church the superintendent wrote on the blackboard: ‘Food for thinking Christians. Take one,’ and the children received them.”

  Mr. C. T. Russell, a medium-sized, well-built, and shrewd-looking person dropped in upon the officers of the American District Telegraph Company in this city on Wednesday afternoon. He was turned over to Superintendent Jackson, of the Circuit Department. Mr. Russell said that he desired to have distributed 100,000 copies of the pamphlet. Mr. Russell said that he was going to different cities to engage people to distribute the pamphlets.

  Yesterday morning 54,000 copies of the pamphlet were distributed among the different branch offices of the American District Telegraph Co. below Twenty-third street. Four boys, each carrying a heavy package and dressed in the uniform of the Messenger Company, stopped at the front gates of each of the churches below Twenty-third street and proceeded to tear off its coverings. It made no difference whether the church was opened for services or not, they stayed and distributed the pamphlet. Every churchgoer got one if he or she would take it. Every pedestrian was given two or three. Persons in carriages got a larger number. The boys cheered as they passed that their boss wasn’t mean. If they wanted more copies, all they had to do was write to him. No attempt was made to stop the distribution by the police officials.

Footnote on A M Bergner from Separate Identity volume 2 page 398.

Agustus M. Bergner was born in Stockholm about 1839, according to the 1880 Census. He is listed as a “cutlery dealer” in the census and in a 1900 Newark City Directory. He was briefly president of the Women’s and Children’s Mutual Benefit Association, which offered inexpensive life insurance. It failed to meet New Jersey State requirements and was closed by order of the New Jersey Secretary of State. (City and Suburban News, The New York Times, May 20, 1884.) He seems not to be mentioned in Zion’s Watch Tower, but his wife Jennie Bergner is. [See the article “Out of Darkness and into His Marvelous Light,” Zion’s Watch Tower, August 1, 1893, page 238.] Bergner served in the Navy during the Civil War, as Mate on the Natasuket. The name Agustus M. Bergner appears in a list of “soldiers and sailors” whose address was sought. The last known address for him in the list was Brooklyn, New York. (See The Washington, D. C., National Tribune, March 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 1899.) He was a mate on the American Navy’s screw frigate USS Wampanoag during its first sea trials. – Naval Intelligence, New York Herald, April 18, 1868. He died January 22, 1890, in New Jersey.

 

Another Mystery

 What is the full name of G. A. Slote, an early Watch Tower colporteur. He is mentioned in the Watch Tower in 1886 and 1887.

Who was R. R. Hinnen?

The Holton, Kansas, Tribune

Fri, Nov 04, 1898 ·Page 1

 

Update to Mila La Clair Attn: Bernhard

 Text from current chapter in development. 

As I did in volume two of this work, I’ll focus on a narrow geographical area, in this case the States of Kansas and Ohio, a choice driven by available records. Kansas had a significant Barbourite presence. 

Kansas 

            [add barbour era here] There were several Watch Tower evangelists preaching there in the 1880-1886 period and whose ministry produced results. We noted some in volume two – an Advent Christian Clergyman, J. S. Lawver, an anonymous adherent. New to this research is Permilia Jane LaClair called “P.J.” and “Milia” by her family.[1] We know little about her beyond letters sent from her to the editor of the St. Paul, Minnesota, New Era Enterprise. She was, she wrote, one of the first Millennial Dawn colporteurs, evangelizing in Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. For twelve years – approximately from 1887 to 1899 – with her husband and two children she traveled by covered wagon promoting Watch Tower publications, later recalling: 

we were very poor when I got the Truth and my dear husband had been poorly and it was good for him, but very hard on me, as I often had been wet and cold, slept in wet bedding and every way, for I was so happy over my call to sacrifice, and not much experienced I often did more than reasonable service. Have laid out in rain and thunder and wind storms and went too early in spring and too late in fall; but my zeal was to help “harvest” all I could.[2]

             By mid-year 1884 a Kansas native claimed: “The seed is taking root in Kansas.”[3] Among those rooted to Watch Tower faith was a Baptist elder in Hobart who with one or two others separated himself from traditional denominations.[4] Their work and that of others affected German Brethren adherents. The German Brethren, a pietistic movement, was fractured. In the 1880s there were three main divisions all using similar names, but each displeased with the others.

---

[1]               Permilia was the daughter of David Kennedy Farnham and Rachael Jessup. She was born September 1o,1853 in Essex Co, Indiana and died in 1926.

[2]               Mrs. Mila Le Clair, “Old Timer” Longing for Home, New Era Enterprise¸ July 25, 1922. Bernhard Brabenec: Watch Tower Society, International Bible Students Association: Who’s Who in the History of the Movement Before 1920, Self-published, 1921.

[3]               Letter to M. F. Russell, Zion’s Watch Tower, August 1884, page 2. [Not in Reprints]

[4]               Interesting Letters, Zion’s Watch Tower, August 1883, page 3. [Not in Reprints.]

Photo repair.

 This photo will appear in SI vol 3. I need a talented volunteer to refine the photo.

Henry Nissley Engle and Wife 

Our thanks to Pawel, a friend of this blog for the edits.

Can we identify this person to her first name?

 A paragraph from current SI 3 chapter. Note Mrs. William Le Claire. Her husband was an enrolled tribal member. I cannot find her in that record. Who, exactly was she?

As I did in volume three of this work, I’ll focus on a narrow geographical area, in this case the States of Kansas and Ohio, a choice driven by available records. There were several Watch Tower evangelists preaching there in the 1880-1886 period and whose ministry produced results. We noted some in volume two – an Advent Christian Clergyman, J. S. Lawver, an anonymous adherents. New to this research is Mrs. William Le Claire. We know little about her beyond a letter sent from her to the editor of the St. Paul, Minnesota, New Era Enterprise. She was, she wrote, one of the first Millennial Dawn colporteurs, evangelizing in Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. For twelve years – approximately from 1887 to 1899 – she traveled by covered wagon promoting Watch Tower publications.[1]

---

[1]               Mrs. William Le Claire, “Old Timer” Longing for Home, New Era Enterprise¸

Research Assistance

 I need the transcript of Charles Taze Russell v. The Washington Post. 1906.

I also need every reference to Kansas and Nebraska appearing in the Watch Tower from 1880 through 1886. 

Help? Please.

Stéphane and LateComer plus a question

Stéphane, 

My profoundest thanks for  your help. 

LateComer,

Please email me more details about your family's early days contact with the truth, especially the adventures accepting Watch Tower faith in the Russell era. My email is BWSchulz2 at yahoo dot com.

My question:

The program I use to search Russell era Watch Tower volumes no longer works. I do not know why. I have not been able to fix that. If you have a program that does that, please let me know.

Anti-Russell material from 1914

 Your observations on this bit of misleading, false, ad hominem are welcome.

The Perils of Russellism

Alex W. Bealer, Eastman, Georgia, 1914

      Russellism makes absurd the story of the second coming of Christ. It never hesitates to ignore the plain teachings of the Bible, when they interfere with its plans. Russell bends the Bible to support his plan, instead of seeking to show that his plan harmonizes with the Bible.

      The Bible says, that no man knows the day or the hour of Christ's second coming. Russellism says that the Wise Virgins went out to meet the bridegroom in 1844, which was just thirty years before his second coming. The exact date of his second coming was 1874. The churches, which are the body of Christ, rose in 1878. Since 1878 the faithful who have died have gone into the presence of God immediately, and they will have no resurrection. In October, 1914, the work of the Lord will be finished, and he will begin his reign of a thousand years on earth. During this time Adam, Cain, the Sodomites, Judas and all others who have died in wickedness will have been led by their experiences to see their mistakes in having been sinners and they will turn to the Lord for salvation. If any are so stubborn that they shall not repent during the Russellism Millennium, they will be annihilated and this will be the sure-enough final annlhillation of these persons.

The Bible on the Last Days.

   HOW TAME is the story of Russellism when compared with the sublime words of the Bible in telling of this great event! Here Is the way as appeared to Zechariah: “His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a great valley; and half of the mountains shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.”

    Jesus told the story in these striking words: “Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

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   Paul’s account is no less striking: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive shall together with them be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

      John tells us that as soon as Christ comes back the devil will be chained and cast into a pit where he will be sealed up for a thousand years.

     Has the reader heard of any great upheaval in the neighborhood of the Mount of Olives, of any one who has seen the Lord coming in the clouds of heaven? Have you heard of any one who has hearkened to the voice of the archangel and the trump of God, of any one who has been changed in a moment and caught up to meet the Lord in the air? Have you heard any rumor that would lead you to believe that the devil has been chained? All these things must take place before Christ comes back and we must conclude that the story of Mr. Russell is an impudent fabrication.

Russellism Tears Down But Does Not Build.

   RUSSELLISM would put the churches of Christ out of business. Russellism says (volume one, page 269) that, since the Kingdom of God is in the future, there is no need to be concerned now about saving the world. The best thing is to let it alone, as it is a waste of effort, worse than useless, to try to influence it for Christ in the times in which we live. But our Lord says: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.”

    Russellism would disband every church, recall every missionary, close every Christian school, break down every institution that works for the betterment of mankind. This is exactly the plan that appeals to the most depraved and the most unenlightened people in every community.

   Russellism says that God has turned his back upon the so-called churches, but fails to account for the wonderful work of grace that is going on in many communities. He fails to account for the thousands who are forsaking sin at the call of Christ through the churches, and are devoting their lives to the worship and service of God.

  Russellism repudiates the doctrine of regeneration. Jesus said to Nlcodemus: “Ye must be born again.” Russellism says this means that Nicodemus and all others will have to be regenerated in the time of restitution, after they have all been annihilated.

THE MAIN THEORY of Russellism is that in the Millennial Age all who have not accepted Christ will have a second chance to do so. This second chance theory is designed to make Russellism attractive to the persons who wish to live sinful lives. Russellism says (Vol. 1, P. 124) that God has designed to permit evil because having a remedy to relieve man from sin he would be led to see Its exceeding sinfulness and would thus learn to love his creator for providing virtue and truth to which he could turn. Sin Is not the hideous thing It is painted to be in the Bible. The way to learn to love virtue is to plunge into sin. By sinning man win learn about sin and will learn to hate it when he has drained the last bitter dregs of the cup. “A man's sin in this life will be but an angel, a black angel perhaps, but an angel nevertheless to lead him to the powers of virtue in the life that Is to come.” Men may sin as much as they please in this life and in the life to come they can turn away from it and receive the approving smile of God.

   This fearful “second chance” theory makes it consistent to belittle the churches and repudiate regeneration. It does away with the necessity of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus said he would send as a Guide. Therefore, Russellism has very little to say about the Holy Spirit.

Religious Purpose of Russellism.

    IT IS A PURPOSE of Russellism to break down the present church organizations. This has been its actual history everywhere it has found a foothold. Its promoters delight in creating a division in a local church and in changing peace into discord. Like Its sisters, Mormonism, Spiritualism and Unknown Tongueism, it makes little effort

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among the unregenerate but seeks follower from among the organized churches.

   It is the purpose of this so-called religion to exalt its founder, Mr. Russell. A man of rather humble origin, he is ambitious; with masterly skill in advertising he has managed to get his name and his picture In thousands of papers and his religion bears his name.

   The chief purpose of Russellism is to make money for its leader. With an Impudence born of the father of lies, Mr. Russell declares that the world will come to an end in the year nineteen hundred and fourteen. Now that the time is upon us he is reported in the press as saying It may be a few years later Instead of nineteen hundred and fourteen. Absurd as are his claims of special knowledge on this subject, thousands of his Ignorant and misguided followers will accept any new date which he may set in professing to know a definite date for the end of the world, which our Lord Jesus said no man knows. It is a profitable thing for Russell to get his followers to believe the end Is nigh. In this fact they will find their earthly goods of less value and he will find It easier to separate their possessions from them. Many of his followers have already willed their property to the Watch Tower Society, which is but another name for Mr. Russell.

Religious Purpose of Russellism.

   THIS MAN claims to be without money, and poses as a faithful ambassador of the penniless Christ. He preys on the prejudice of the people by advertising that he takes up no collection in connection with his meetings. As a matter of fact he does not need to get money this way, he has a more artistic manner In which to separate the people from their possessions. A few years ago he sued the Washington Post for defaming his character and In the course of his trial it developed that he had two hundred shares in the United States Coal A Coke Company, capitalised at one million dollars and that he also had shares in a number of other stock companies, among them the Watch Tower Society which received $150,000 for the sale of Its literature in 1910. Many people have left money to the Society, and It was brought out in the trial of Russell's wife for divorce that the “Pastor” was quite a plunger Into the commercial world. One witness swore that Russell's investment in one concern had brought him in about two million dollars in the last ten years.

     And yet there are poor deluded people in scores of sections throughout the South who are pinching themselves in order to circulate the pernicious books of this man, helping to make him a multi-millionaire. In scores of sections throughout the South where faithful and true men have lived out their lives before the people and have taught the whole truth of God In Christ, there are misguided and Ignorant people who turn a deaf ear to the truth, that they may follow the anti-Christ teachings of a discredited and self-seeking man.

    Paul said: “Though an angel from heaven should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

    We may in the spirit of righteous indignation apply the words of the Apostle to the perverse teachings of this unholy man. His teachings are a caricature of the Christian religion and he is a reproach and a stumbling block in his own life. In the name of Christ who loves men and would save them, let Russellism be accursed.

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[From Victor I. Masters, editor, The Home Field Magazine, December 1914, pages 3-5.]