Biographical Notes
Clyde Wilbur Russell was born on April 3, 1888, in Burdette, Missouri, to Ransom Floyd Russell and Mary Elizabeth Minerva Eleanor Jayne Russell. He had eight siblings: Claudia Agnes, Grover Cleveland, Roy Lee, Charlie Drue, Eunice, Dade, and Dell. His family moved from Missouri to Mesa, Washington, in 1902, and he began working on his family’s farm.
Russell enlisted in the United States Army on September 27, 1917, at Colfax, Washington, at the age of 29. He was deployed to France in December 1917, with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). He served as a Private First Class in Company “I” of the 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division during his period in France. Russell did not immediately participate in combat upon his arrival in France, instead training extensively until the summer of 1918. He saw combat in the Battles of Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Russell returned to the United States on April 4, 1919.
After his return to the United States, Russell rejoined his family in Mesa, Washington, and married Ethel Mary Draper in 1922. They had five children: Vera Jean, Zack Tyrus, Dwight Wilbur, Larry Mack, and Gary Clyde. Russell also returned to his career of wheat farming in Washington. He died on November 10, 1973, at the age of 85.