Alma Related Articles

Much of the photography of the Robert Riley Russell farm are submitted by Keith Foster.

Robert Riley Russell

Town of Alma, Allegany County, NY

Who was Robert Riley Russell?

by Ronald G. Taylor, Alma Town Historian 1/09

Robert Riley Russell was a civil war veteran who entered the service about age 38.

Russell lived in the house that was one-time occupied by my grandparents, Gilbert & Lina Taylor and owned by Ed & Onalee VanDruff which is located on the White Hill Road #1, Town of Alma, about a mile from Allentown Main Street.

A stained glass window was dedicated to Robert Russell in the Allentown Methodist Church.

A Rochester area archivist has in his possession over 100 of the original letters written by Mr. Russell to his wife during the Civil War.  It is hoped that the letters will sometime fall into the files of the Town of Alma.

In the Allentown Cemetery is a monument and markers showing the burial spot for Robert Riley Russell and his wife, Ada E. Phillips.  Ada died in 1881, but, Robert lived until 1899.

Robert Russell was Assessor & Town Highway Superintendent. (per Bob Gullo). The 1869 Business Directory of Alma (from 1869 Atlas) verifies that R.R.Russell was Com. of Highways.

Below are some photos of later occupants of the home, supplied by Keith Foster whose ancestors lived there.

Russell Farm Home

Another View of Russell Farm Home

Horses at Russell Farm

"Cutting Ice for Our Ice House"

Russell Farm - Allentown

"Loading the Ice Sled"

Russell Farm - Allentown

Does anyone know any stories about these rocks that are 80 year old photos?  They ae noted "White Hill".

Rock photo #1

Rock photo #2