Nathan Russ moved to Robbinsdale after the Civil War. He owned a small farm near Lake Road and Lake Drive. Mr. Russ was the Village Recorder for many years, but he lost the election of 1894 after he came out in favor of licensing saloons. The Russ Brothers Grocery was operated by Nathan’s sons, Howard and Ernie.
The Russes were also members of our church. I wonder if the fact that they operated a saloon was a point of contention. The temperance movement was just as alive in our church as in many others.