Dr. Walter Irving Russell, actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in New Haven, with office at No. 116 Whalley avenue, was born in Mystic, Connecticut, March 11, 1886, a son of John Russell, a native of Rhode Island and a grandson of John Russell who was a native of England and became the founder of the family in the new world. John Russell was a boss dyer of woolen goods, following that line of business for twenty-eight years, but is now living retired. He was also a Civil war veteran, having served for three years in a Rhode Island regiment, after which he was honorably discharged. About 1878 he removed from Rhode Island to Mystic, Connecticut, where he still makes his home and he holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic there, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old military comrades. He wedded Mary Ann France, a native of England, who came to the United States with her parents when three years of age and settled at Fall River, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Russell were married at Potter Hill, May 25, 1867 and in May, 1917, celebrated their golden wedding. They became the parents of two children, the brother of Dr. Russell being Bernard A. Russell, who was born in 1872 and now resides in Mystic.

Dr. Russell was educated in the public schools of Mystic and in the Bulkeley school of New London, a private school in which he studied for two years. In preparation for his professional career he entered the medical department of Yale and was graduated in 1909. Following his graduation he received his first appointment in the New Haven Hospital, where he remained for eighteen months and then took up special work in the Lying-In Hospital of New York. In the fall of 1910 he began the private practice of medicine at No. 98 Shelton avenue, New Haven, and has continued in general practice in this city since that date. He has made steady progress for his efficiency has been promoted through experience, wide reading and close study.

On the 8th of October, 1913, in New Haven, Dr. Russell was married to Miss Lillie Wolfe, a native of Branford, Connecticut, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Wolfe. The latter, now deceased, belonged to an old English family at one time very prominent and wealthy, living in the suburbs of London, where they had a country home and large estate, but they lost the greater part of their fortune. Dr. and Mrs. Russell have become the parents of a daughter, Charlotte France, born July 10, 1914.

Dr. Russell exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He belongs to the Alpha Kappa Kappa, a college fraternity; also to Wooster Lodge, No. 79, F. & A. M.; to American Lodge, No. 52, K. P.; to the Loyal Order of Moose, and to Manchester Unity Lodge, I. O. O. F. Aside from his professional in-terests his position is one which indicates his popularity among his fellowmen. for he has a large circle of friends in this section of the state. He holds to high ideals in his chosen life work and is ever careful to conform his practice to advanced professional ethics.