Ethel Russell was the wife of Arthur Edward Russell, the retired farmer who built "Whare Rata" on Riverbank Road, Fitzherbert West in 1901. She was formerly Miss Ethel Alice Williams, who was married in 1885 at the age of 23. Mrs Russell lived at "Whare Rata" from 1901 until her death 12th May 1949."Whare Rata", was built in Fitzherbert in 1901, for Arthur Edward Russell, a retired farmer of Manawatu. The name means "The House of Redbeard", after Mr Rusell. The Government purchased the property in 1951, after Mrs Ethel Russell's death, and it became part of Massey Agricultural College. Today "Whare Rata" (now spelt "Wharerata") is used by Massey University as a Staff and Function Centre.See also: Pi 31