Solomon W. Russell It is with sincere regret that we are called upon to announce the death of Past Department Commander Solomon W. Russell, who departed this life at his home in Salem, Washington county, on Thursday, October 18th, aged eighty-one years. Comrade Russell entered the service and was mustered in as Captain of Company A. Seventh New York Cavalry, on September 7, 1861. He resigned therefrom, and subsequently became Adjutant of the 49th Regiment of Infantry of New York, and was promoted to Captain and Major, and was grievously wounded at the Battle of Rappahannock Station, on November 7, 1863 (while on the Staff of his kinsman, General David A. Russell, who was killed at the Battle of Winchester, Va.), and was mustered out of service in June, 1865. He returned home, took up his chosen profession of law and made a distinguished figure in it; not only that, but in all those civic activities of his home town, where he was recognized as its leading citizen. His departure from our midst creates a void that cannot be filled, and his modest, unobtrusive deportment will long be remembered when all that was mortal of him shall have crumbled to decay. Michael I. Cummings Past Department Commander Michael J. Cummings died at his home in Brooklyn on January 3, 1918. He enlisted on January 12, 1864, as a private in Company B, 48th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry; was wounded at the battle of Olustee, and was honorably discharged as Sergeant September 1, 1865. After some years spent in private employment he was appointed clerk in the office of the City Clerk of Brooklyn in 1877, and remained there for fifteen or sixteen years, having risen to the office of City Clerk, which he held for some years. Under Greater New York, on January 1, 1898, he became Secretary of the Sewer Department, and when that Department ceased to exist he was transferred to the Sewer Bureau in the Borough President's office in Manhattan, where he remained until his death. In the discharge of his public duties he was careful, prompt and intelligent. Comrade Cummings was mustered into Thomas C. Devin Post No. 148, Department of New York, on September 12, 1884, and remained an active member until his death. He was Commander of his Post in 1888, and Department Commander of New York in 1909. He was trustee of the Permanent Fund of the Grand Army of the Republic, and Chairman of the board at the time of his death and for a number of years prior thereto. He was for eight years Chairman of the Memorial and Executive Committee, G. A. R., of Kings county. As Comrade Cummings in any body of men was a leader. a Comrade he was characterized by his readiness and willingness to help a Comrade, regardless of any consideration other than the fraternal tie. Comradeship meant what its name implies to him. |