WILLIAM FLEMING
RUSSELL
SON of the late James Russell, well known as a wright and
builder in Glasgow half a century ago, Bailie Russell was born in Sandyford in
1851, and was educated at the Western Institution, Partick Academy, and the Free
Church Normal School. He began business life in 1866, with the firm of Kerr &
Mitchell, coalmasters, and subsequently was connected with several of the
largest local coal-owning businesses. In 1890 he began business for himself, and
is now the head of the firm of William F. Russell & Sons, one of the largest
coal-exporting businesses in Scotland, with branches in Newcastle-on-Tyne and
Liverpool, and connections with all parts of the world where British coal is
used.
Some dozen years ago, with a view to improving the facilities
for export of minerals on the Clyde, he took an active part in promoting the
Kilpatrick Dock Bill, and, after the defeat of that measure, joined in promoting
the Renfrew Dock Bill, which passed both Houses of Parliament. He was also a
member of the committee appointed by the Clyde ratepayers and shipowners, which
ultimately brought about a revolution in the constitution of the Clyde
Navigation Trust. He entered Glasgow Town Council as a representative of Park
Ward in 1902, and served his third year as a magistrate. He is sub-convener of
the Tramway Committee, and convener of two other important subcommittees. He has
also been a Director of the Chamber of Commerce for nine years, is a member of
the Weavers' Society of Anderston, and, in the Trades' House is a member of the
Incorporations of Wrights, Coopers. Gardeners, and Hammermen. A staunch
supporter of the Church of Scotland, he is a trustee and office-bearer of
Belmont Church, Hillhead, and has been representative elder from the Corporation
of Glasgow to the General Assembly for several years. He is Conservative in
politics, and for many years has been a member of Glasgow Conservative Club.
In the way of recreation he has travelled all over Europe,
and at home he is an enthusiast for golf, being a member not only of the Troon
and Irvine clubs, but of the Golfers' Club, London. At the annual golfing match
of the coal trade a cup he presented in 1899 is always an object of keen
competition.
He married in 1877, and has four sons and two daughters. The
two eldest sons, now partners in the business, were well-known athletes in their
time, the eldest having been a popular "back" of the Academicals, and the second
the amateur champion swimmer of Scotland, afterwards serving for eighteen months
with the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa during the Boer War. The third son
has been called to the Scottish Bar.
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Index of Glasgow Men (1909)