William Muir Russel, the youngest child of Henry B. Russel, was born in 1893. While a student at Cornell University, he enlisted in the U.S. Army just before his graduation, in Apr. 1917. He was attached to the Ninety-fifth Aero Squadron, first pursuit group, and was assigned to one of the most active sectors. He took part in many battles in the vicinity of Chateau Thierry. He became a First Lieutenant, American aviator, and was killed in action.
Henry B. Russel was a Detroit lawyer, graduating from the University of Michigan Law School in 1875. He became vice-president and general counsel of the Michigan Central Railway Company. Mr. Russel was one of Detroit's most prominent figures at the time of his death in 1920. He married Nellie Muir, of Detroit, in 1880 and they have five children. After Nellie died in 1910, he married Mrs. Eleanor Whittaker.
From the description of William Muir Russel condolence letters, 1917-1920. (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 298323741
