Benjamin A. Russell, 50, of 4 Armory St., who operated the Russell Pharmacy here, died early today at Ilion Hospital after a short illness.

Born May 12, 1905 in Ilion, a son Benjamin A. and Belle Clive Russe11- he married Leila Roberts in 1928. He had been in the drug business his entire life, originally in partnership with his father.

The pharmacy was founded by his father, a widely known Ilion resident, who was active in Republican politics. Mr. Russell was a graduate of Ilion schools and Albany College of Pharmacy. He was a member of Ilion Lodge, F.&A.M., Ilion Elks Lodge, St. Augustine's Episcopal Church and the New York State Pharmaceutical association.

In addition to his wife, he leaves two daughters, Mrs. Samuel [Jane] Nile, Watertown, Mass., and Mrs. [Peggy] James Daly, Wellesley Hills, Mass, a son, Benjamin A. Russell Jr.I, Ilion; a sister, Mrs. David Rosendale, Chadwicks; one granddaughter, Lynn Nile, Watertown, Mass.

The funeral will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday from the Applegate Funeral Home, by the Rev. R. Louis Somers, recor of St. Augustine's Church, with burial in Armory Hill Cemetery.