Mr Frank Alexander RUSSELL

   FamilySearch ID: LBDB-TPM.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Paralowie House today: Paralowie House was the Russell family home, 1894, Paralowie, Salisbury, South Australia. Frank Alexander Russell was a wealthy stockbroker and in 1891 purchased a large property (Section 3063) in the suburb of Paralowie, Salisbury South Australia consisting of 96 Acres.

In 1894 Russell built "Paralowie House" which still stands today. The grounds were developed into a formal garden incuding a fountain (water would have come from a well) and with a lodge at the main gateway. He extablished a large citrus orchard on the banks of the Little Para River and was also responsible for the planting of the sugar gum trees between the bridge and Park Tce.

An effigy of Kruger was burnt and huge bonfires were lit to celebrate the relief of Mafeking (1900) during the Boer War, the entire popuation of Salisbury being invited as guests.

Mr Russell was a member of the committee which welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (Prince of Wales) in 1901 when they visited the town of Salisbury en route for Buckland Park.

Aristocrats met here and held garden parties, charity 'do's' &
'continentals', which are evening open-air fetes held on the lawns in front of the house.

"Unlike many other country towns, Salisbury and district was almost devoid of any pretentious homes. Early houses were made of pine and pise and lacked size and architectural style. Only one double storeyed house can be recalled." (Lewis, Chapter 5, p. 55)

Paralowie House was one of few 'mansions' in the area, an excellent example of a large Victorian villa. Its historical significance is associated with the manner in which it reflects features of the social history of the district before the encroachment of the urban development of Adelaide. It is one of the large farmhouses which most clearly reflect the history of the wider parts of the Salisbury district.

Paralowie House was built from stone quarried from the foothills. There were quite a few brick kilns in Salisbury, probably at least one operating in the 1890's. Other materials, eg timber, tiles, fire
surrounds, skirtings, architraves and doors were all imported. The lean-to (kitchen, toilets, and laundry area) was added on later. The house is a double-fronted villa with stone foundations, 10 main rooms, with 18-foot ceilings and a 20 x 24-foot passageway, 15 foot wide.

Paralowie House is a rare grand example of popular late nineteenth century domestic architecture. The spacious interior with its original stucco decorations, fireplace surrounds and 'inbuilt' cupboards, is in excellent condition and a good representative example for that period.

2. Paralowie House and Surrounds Historical photos, 1895, Paralowie, Salisbury, South Australia. Historical photos of Paralowie House and surrounds.

3. Paralowie House Gates, 1895.

4. Paralowie House Orangery, 1895.

5. Paralowie House creek on property, 1895.

6. FA Russell and Family, Aug 1919. People from left:

Frank Alexander Russell - Betts Magarey - Ash Magarey - Ellen Isabel Russell - Vera Clare Russell - Frank Leslie Russell

NOTES:

1. Betts and Ash are the children of Vera's older sister Louise Magarey (nee Henderson) and husband Frank Magarey (neither pictured here).

2. Frank Russell and Vera Russell (nee Henderson) had an infant son Bill Russell b.1917 at the time this was taken.

7. FA Russell Death: Death Certificate for FA Russell, 27 Nov 1948.
Excerpt from the Adelaide "Advertiser" from 30th November 1948

Mr Frank Alexander Russell, who was the oldest member of the Stock Exchange of Adelaide, having been elected in 1889, died on Saturday, aged 87.

As a mark of respect, the first meeting of the Stock Exchange yesterday was adjourned for 15 minutes.

Mr Russell came to Adelaide from England when he was 19. He became a member of the Stock Exchange when he founded the firm which bears his name.

He lived with this family on his property, Paralowie Estate Salisbury, until the death of his wife some years ago.

Mr Russell leaves a daughter Mrs Ross Coles and two sons, Messrs P.L. and E.L. Russell. A son Mr F.L. Russell died before him.

Mr Russell was buried privately at North Road Cemetery on Sunday.

8. Grandchildren Reflections: Reflections of FA Russell from David Coles, Midge Best, Frank H Russell, Bob Russell and Rosslyn Russell, 2002, Russell Reunion.
RECOLLECTIONS OF FRANK A. RUSSELL BY HIS GRAND
CHILDREN AND THEIR SPOUSES -
(Told to Jenetta Russell, February, 2002)

DAVID COLES Grandson Son of Githa Coles, F.A.R,'s Daughter):

Grandpa traded as a stockbroker under the name, "Frank A Russell" and had an office in McHenry Street, Adelaide. My mother, Githa, (F,A.R.'s daughter) wrote down a note that FAR was a member of the stock exchange for 50 years and 4
months.

In 1941, I left with the 2nd 7th Field detachment to go to war. I vividly remember Grandpa coming down to Goodwood Railway Station with my mother and father to see me off on my way to join the war effort.

I always remember that Grandpa wanted to be involved in every aspect of our family life and 'doings'.

MIDGE BEST (Grand Daughter - Daughter of F. (Les) Russell, F.A.R.'s son):

I remember Grandpa always in a dark suit, well dressed and lovely very white moustache and white hair with a very smart trilby hat.

FAR first moved from Paralowie House to Milford House on Jeffcott Street and then Wellington Square.

On one occasion when we were very young Mother and Father sent Grandpa a lovely embossed brass bell. It was returned in the post with thanks. So after that Mother always made him a lovely fruit cake and I always bought him a nice white linen handkerchief and embroidered his initials in the corner \emdash so there was no return! I now realise as one gets older one doesn't need material things, just plenty of love.

While our family still lived up at Mt. Lofty, (Frank was a baby and Bob not born) there was always much excitement every week when 3 comics arrived by post (sent by Grandpa) - Phantom for Bill, Puck for Helen and Chick's Own for Midge.

We were quite young when we moved down from Mt Lofty. However, we always loved Grandpa coming up by train to Mt Lofty for his weekly visit to us - as did his son (and our father), Les, who by this stage was not at all well. Grandpa always
arrived with a little white paper bag of twirley barley sugar. We always knew when he was coming, as he would say "Beep Beep" as he came in the door. My final memory of FAR and Mt Lofty was that he used to come and stay in the boarding house on Longwood Road opposite our house for a break\emdash it was
called St. Katherines and had a great big verandah around it.

Grandpa loved to tell the story of the day he was on his way down to see the family at Brighton. At the Adelaide railway station he would stop to buy a paper and on this particular day he bought the paper from a small redheaded boy. FAR
said "Hey there, Ginger! (Ginger Megs being all the rage of the day). The little boy turned to him and said "Don't you call me Ginger, or I'll knock your bloomin' head off'.

Grandpa said of Helen when she was so ill and was not being treated well in the hospital, "l won't have any grand-daughter of mine treated like that' and was instrumental in bringing her home.

Mother and I used to go to lunch very often witn Grandpa. It was after Helen died, in 1941 (during the war) \emdash we would go into his little office in McHenry Street behind the Stock Exchange, down a few steps, quite a dark little office with security files around. Usually we would have 10 to 15 minutes sitting in the office
to wait. Then we would either go round to Balfours in King William Street or, to the Apollo in Myers and have lunch with him. Always very speciall

Midge believes that Githa's daughter, Isabel, was named after her grandmother.

FRANK H RUSSELL (Grandson - Son of F (Les) Russell, F.A.R.'s son):

F.A.R. lived in Wellington Squaro in a type of guest house. Mother (Vera) called him Father Frank. He was a cheerful chap but somewhat shy. When he came to visit he used to come by train, then walk up the street with hat on and stick and say "Beep Beep" as he came through tho door,

He left Paralowie in 1918 around the time his wife died.

Was a very independent character, Was very difficult to give him a present Helen made him a pair of socks but he returned them saying that he only wore silk socks!

BOB RUSSELL (Grandson - son of F. (Les) Russell, F.A.R.'s son):

FAR came out to Australia in 1878. The voyage through the Bay of Biscay of Grandpa and his family's ship in 1878 was exceedingly rough, so when they reached Gibraltar they had stabilizers put on the ship in the form of barrels attached to the sides all round at water level. I was told by Grandpa that he believed it to be the first ship to do so. Grandpa told me about this when I was about to leave to go on the sailing ship trip.

Bob's father (Les) was born in 1895.

ROSSLYN RUSSELL (WIFE OF F.A.R's Late Grandson, Bill who was the son of F. (Les) Russell):

F.A.R. was a lovely old boy. When he died, every Grand child was left money we bought a car.

Bob was going on the windjammer when the money was left.

F.A.R. was very much revered in the stock exchange.

9. Paralowie House Reunion Attendees: Russell and associated families reunion, 2002.

Back Row: Katherine Russell; Caroline McNamara(Coles); Andrew Maitland; Peter Russell; Chris Maitland

4th Row: Michael Keen; Julie Maitland (Russell); Ian Maitland; Lee-Anne Best; Frank Best; David Russell

3rd Row Greg Carmody; Trish Carmody (Best); Elizabeth Keen (Coles); Peter Best; Chris Radbone•,

2nd Row Chris Russell; Gillian Russell; Lucille Keen; Pam Russell; Jenetta Russell; Karen Best; Belinda Radbone (Russell); holding Hugh Alexander Radbone; Helen Dow (Best); James Dow

Front Row: Rosslyn Russell; Kay Coles; David Coles; Frank Russell; Jonathon Carmody(behind); Midge Best (Russell); Robert Russell; Rosalind Russell; Tom Best

Frank married Ellen Isabelle FRANCE, daughter of Alfred FRANCE and Jane BUNDOCK, in 1885 in Adelaide, South Australia. (Ellen Isabelle FRANCE was born on 7 Jul 1854 and died on 23 Mar 1921 in Nailsworth, Prospect City, South Australia.)