Charles Handy Russell (1796-1884)
President of the National Bank of Commerce in New York
He was born at Newport, Rhode Island, and lived for many years at Providence where began his career working for Potter & Dyer in the importing business. He lived abroad (1817 to 1823) as Potter's European agent before coming to New York where he went into partnership with his brother William in Russell & Co. from 1826 to 1845. He was a director of the: Boston & Providence Railroad; Hudson River Railroad; New York Central Railroad; and, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. From 1866 to 1868, he was President of the Bank of Commerce in New York and for thirteen years he was Commissioner of Central Park. He was a Member of the Chamber of Commerce and the New-York Historical Society, and a Trustee of the Atlantic Marine Insurance Company and the Redwood Library at Newport. In 1818, he married Ann, daughter of Capt. William Rodman, of Providence, and they had three children (listed) who lived to adulthood. After she died, he was married again in 1850 to Caroline, daughter of Samuel S. Howland, Co-Founder of the Pacific Mail Steamships. By her he had five further children (listed). They lived between 417 Fifth Avenue in New York & "Oaklawn" on Narragansett Ave., Newport.
