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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