With brother James Ewing Russell, was a merchant in Cedar Bluff, Alabama, and shortly after moved back to Gaylesville. James later sold out to Robert and their younger brother Andrew Baxter Russell.

The Coosa River News, Friday, 04 Oct 1895: "Mr. R. A. Russell, of Gaylesville, an old, well-known and highly respected citizen, died at home in that place on last Thursday, aged 66 years." Provided by Robert F. Smyer, Jr., 22 Jun 2007.

The Coose River News, Friday, 11 Oct 1895, apparently taken from the Alabama Cumberland Presbyterian: "Ruling elder R. A. Russell of Gaylesville died Sept. 26. He had been in bad health for a long time. He was a son of Rev. S. R. Russell of precious memory and an older brother of Revs. S. L. and G. B. Russell. He was for a long time an elder and clerk of the session in Pleasant Vale and later of the Gaylesville Congregation. He was a distinguished member of a distinguished family, a nobleman of earth. He was one of the bext financiers of the state and enjoyed the utmost confidence of nearly every body that knew him. He was repeatedly solicited by friends to allow himself to be placed in civil office, but persistently declined, wisely preferring to live a private, quiet and independent life. He was scrupulously honest in all things. He was a merchant before the war. At its close, he found himself not only broken up, but in debt. He began his career after the war, as well as we remember, by running a blacksmith shop and doing the striking himself. Then he taught two or three years. Afterwards he re-entered his chosen, mercantile life, having paid up in full his antebellum debts. He did this too while his creditors were offering to cancel his debts and stock him with goods, and evern urging him to accept their offer. Her persistently declined to accept such favor and paid out. This was characteristic of him in all of the relations of life. This fact is worth more to his survivors than millions of gold could ever be. He leaves a wife and large family of children to mourn their loss and follow on." Provided by Robert F. Smyer, Jr., 22 Jun 2007.

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Source: Descendants of Sarah Patty

Robert came with his parents to Benton (now Calhoun) County, AL in 1833. They moved when Robert was small to Cherokee County, AL. He grew to manhood on the farm 4 miles north of Gaylesville. He went to the common schools of the county. After reaching manhood he farmed for a few years and then went into the merchandising business. He, in company with Mr. Sam Moore, merchandised until near the breaking out of the Civil War. Mr. Moore sold his interest to Robert and he continued alone until the war. He hired Mr. John Cannon as a substitute in the war, and paid him $1800. After the death of John Cannon, Robert hired another man, but his name is not known now. James Ewing Russell, brother of Robert, also hired a substitute in the war and paid him $1500.

After the close of the war Robert began striking in a blacksmith shop at $1 a day. Sometime later he began clerking in a store for Capt. W. P. Simpson in Gaylesville, AL. Later he bought out Capt. Simpson and later sold to L D Griffits, Jr. Robert A. Russell taught school for awhile at Spring Island (on the Chattooga River two miles up the river from Gaylesville). Later in Gaylesville he conducted a fine school. He then went into the mercantile business in Cedar Bluff with his elder brother, James Ewing Russell. After a short time they moved back to Gaylesville. In a few years James sold out to Robert and moved to Fort Payne. Soon after this Andrew Baxter Russell, a younger brother, became a partner and the firm became R. A. Russell & Co. This firm carried the name of R. A. Russell & Co. until the death of Robert A. Russell. Then it was changed to A. B. Russell & Co. Andrew Baxter Russell's son, George Russell and Robert Alexander Russell's son, Burney Russell, worked with Andrew as long as he lived. Robert Alexander Russell was an elder of the Presbyterian Church for more than 40 years and Clerk of the Session for almost as long.