[2] He was a descendant of several old New England families, including those of Huntington, Pierpont, Hooker, Willett, Bingham, and Russell.

[2] Russell had planned on entering the ministry, but his financial problems forced him to obtain an immediate income through teaching.

His students were so well schooled in military affairs that on the outbreak of the Civil War some were enlisted as drill instructors.

He also served on the Board of Visitors appointed by the Secretary of War in 1863 to inspect and produce a report on West Point.

Governor William Alfred Buckingham realized that Russell was one of the most knowledgeable men in military affairs.

Upon the repeal of the Missouri Compromise in 1854, he became active as one of the leaders of the movement which resulted in the organization of the Republican Party.

[2] Together, they were the parents of ten children, six of whom survived him, including:[6] In May 1885, Russell saw some boys throwing stones at birds in the park in New Haven, Connecticut.

The activity was too much for him and he fell unconscious from a fatal rupture of a blood vessel and died several days later.