Elizabeth ann frank russell

Elizabeth Ann Frank and her twin sister were born in Ontario, Canada on 24 October 1840, to parents Patriot John Frank and his 2nd wife Jane Walker McLean Frank. In 1861, she was enumerated at the age of 21, living with her sister Julia, and Julia’s new husband, in North Dorchester, Middlesex County, Canada. Four years later in March 1865 she married Mr. Robinson Russell, a native of England. This couple raised their family about 100 km North of that city, in Wellesley, Waterloo County, Canada. Most of the family left Canada and emigrated to the United States in 1882, settling just a few miles from her twin sister who had already removed to Barry County, Michigan in 1870. From the 1900 U.S. federal census we know that this couple had 11 children. Three of their daughters joined the NSDAR and at least one son was active in the SAR. In 1910 Elizabeth and her sister filed applications to join the NSDAR. These original applications are in the possession of the Sophie de Marsac Campau Chapter. Elizabeth and her sister Julia were frequently in attendance at chapter events, even though their home was at least 38 miles from Grand Rapids – that must have been a lengthy carriage ride to endure. Mrs. Russell and her sister were granted pensions of $8 per month by the NSDAR in 1911. In 1915 the Russells celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A party of 35 people was held in honor of this event, and Sophie de Marsac Campau Daughters gifted the couple a $10 gold piece to honor the Golden Anniversary. Mr. Russell died four years later in October 1919, and Elizabeth passed away from stomach cancer less than one year later, at 10 p.m. on September 5th, 1920. She was 79 years old. Her headstone, located in the Lake Side Cemetery of Lake Odessa, was marked as a Real Daughter by the Sophie de Marsac Campau Chapter in that same year.