Lenoir Rhyne College - Hacawa Yearbook (Hickory, NC)

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Dallas Harvevj Russell D ALLAS HARVEY RUSSELL was born in Mecklenburg County, N. C , on the tenth day of January, 1855. He was just seven years old when his father died, while serving in the Confederate army. Being the oldest of three children, and the only son of his widowed mother, many of the duties and responsibilities of the home fell upon his boyish shoulders. With his father dead, the country generally ravaged by war, and the estate con- fiscated to pay security debts, there was neither time nor money for the education of children, and, no matter how great the desire for study, it must be stifled, and the oldest boy must support the family. Thus, under most adverse circumstances, with a brave and courageous heart, a deep sense of his responsibility, and a sustaining faith in God, he took up the battles of life, and, having gone forth as a Christian soldier, the Lord crowned his efforts with success. In 1871, the family moved to Caldwell County. Here, without money or credit, with only a blind mule, the youthful head of the household lived on rented land, until by dint of persistent labor and skillful economy he was able to purchase his own farm. At that time, logging was a large and profitable industry, in which he worked between crops. Thus he labored and saved until December, 1 89 1 , when he moved to the promising town of Hickory, and entered the mercantile business. His firm name is one of the oldest in town, and stands for absolute honesty and integrity in business; and that is synonomous with success. Very early in life, Mr. Russell took a large and active interest in religion and Christian education, as he had opportunity. Many churches in this section of the country either stand on land given by him, or owe their existence to his aid and encouragement, or gratefully enroll him as a contributor. While the sacrifices demanded for his own edu-

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yi . DEDICATION Tliis Volume o{ VVie Hacawa is Dedicated to Mr. Dallas H. Russell as a memorial o{ his long-continued faithfulness to Lenoir College and o tbe many personal kindnesses by wnicn ne made possible tbe education of struggling men and women

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cation were impossible, he has freely given of his time and means that others might enjoy advantages which he himself did not have. His own children were sent to Lenoir College, beginning with the first year of its opening at Hickory, and continuing — the one until graduation, and the other until ill health demanded withdrawal at the end of the Junior year. Many students of the college, finding themselves in financial straits, have turned to D. H. Russell in their extremity of need, and have found in him a helper and friend. Whenever called upon, he has contributed in large measure to the support of the college. His is the largest single contribution to the Yoder Science Hall, the opening of which this number of HACAWA commemorates. During her existence in Hickory, Lenoir College has always had in him a trusted friend and adviser. He loves the College, because he realizes its worth to the community and the church. He is large in sympathy — frank, prudent, and optimistic; and his consuming zeal manifests itself in a burning desire for the continued success of Lenoir College. Hence it will be seen that the subject of this sketch is a grad uate of the school of hard experience. He has developed three dominant traits, which have made him what he is. He has always tried to find and follow the path of duty and right, as he has been permitted to see it with the light of divine revelation, in spite of limited edu- cational advantages. He has always been fondly devoted to his family, and especially to his now aged and feeble mother, who lingers with him yet awhile deep in the twilight. Mr. Russell has never passed as much as three weeks at one time without seeing his mother, and in his whole strenuous life he has never passed more than three Sundays without visiting her to comfort and be comforted. Out of his many distressing experiences he has learned to feel a deep sympathy for those who are in need. The call of worthy need brings from him an immediate response. These traits are worthy of emulation by many at the present time, who excuse themselves from religious, filial, and charitable duties on account of the exhausting demands of the modern business world. His hosts of loyal friends join with the class of ' 14 in dedicating to him this number of HACAWA, with the hope that he may enjoy many prosperous years ol full and complete health and happiness, and, finally, hear from the Master whom he tries to serve, the gracious plaudit, Well done. .