Family History - Russell H. Getchell
| Key: | 1. | “+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation. |
| 2. | “born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown. |
An article in the Norwich Bulletin indicates that Russell was adopted by Herbert Getchell and his wife, and that Russell was apparently abused.5
LEFT HOME, BOY CLAIMS, BECAUSE HE WAS BEATEN
“I stole it because I wanted to be arrested and be put somewhere so they can’t touch me.” This statement was made Saturday morning in the Groton town court by Russell H. Getchell, 14, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Getchell of Thames View, whose disappearance from home was reported Friday. Russell was arrested in Mystic on a charge of stealing from a store a clock valued at $3.75. The lad ran away from home Thursday, coming from the Quaker Hill school in New London, and, according to his testimony in court, walking to Mystic.
Peter Hammacker, proprietor of the store where the theft took place, had the boy arrested, and upon his presentation in court he was asked why he did the act. His reply was followed by testimony to the effect that his adopted parents had abused him severely, and that he could not stand it any longer. His parents denied this, but neighbors volunteered the information, following the hearing, that the boy had been abused, and had often showed cuts on his hands.
The court decided that probation officer Richard W. Mansfield was the best person to untangle the situation, and Russell was placed in his care for six months. Mr. Mansfield heard the stories of the boy and his foster parents and will send the boy to the Boy’s school in Cheshire.
Children of Russell H. Getchell and Grace F. Beach:
| 2 | i. | Rosemary E. Getchell, born 17 April 1937 in Connecticut.3, 6 | |
| 3 | ii. | Allan R. Getchell, born 4 June 1939 in Connecticut.3, 6 | |
| 4 | iii. | Kenneth M. Getchell, born 16 November 1941.6 |
- U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Connecticut, New London County, Groton, E.D. 506, Sheet No. 20B, Herbert Getchell, 36, Maine, laborer, phosphate factory; wife of 10 years Amy Getchell, 35, Connecticut, 1 child, 1 living; son Russell N. Getchell, 7, Connecticut; mother-in-law Amelia Sisson, 68, Connecticut, widowed, 6 children, 5 living.
- U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Connecticut, New London County, Waterford, E.D. 303, Sheet No. 5B, Herbert W. Getchel, 48, Maine, painter, automobile repair shop; wife Amy W. Getchel, 48, Connecticut; son Russell H. Getchel, 15, New York.
- U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Connecticut, Litchfield County, New Milford Town, E.D. 3-22, Sheet No. 2A, Russell H. Getchell, 36, New York, bottlewasher, retail milk farm; wife Grace F. Getchell, 41, Connecticut; daughter Rosemary Getchell, 2, Connecticut; son Allan Getchell, 9/12, Connecticut.
- Obituary, The Bridgeport Post, Bridgeport, Connecticut (available at newspapers.com, and newspaperarchive.com), 21 April 1975, Mrs. Grace Beach Getchell, 77, wife of Russell H. Getchell, died 20 April 1975 in New Milford. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her husband, children, siblings, and indicates she had six grandchildren.
- The Norwich Bulletin, Norwich, Connecticut, 17 January 1921, Left Home, Boy Claims, Because He Was Beaten. The article tells about Russell H. Getchell, 14, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Getchell, and his running away from home and his arrest for stealing a clock.
- This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.