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Richard S. Russell
Born November 7, 1861 |
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| Richard S. Russell, one of the farmers of Greenfield township, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1861, and is the son of J. H. and Sophia (Warner) Russell, both natives of the Keystone state. In the late '60s the parents came to Iowa, settling first in Linn county, and subsequently coming to Jones county, where they secured a farm in Greenfield township. They lived on section 22 for five years and on the farm now owned by our subject several years. The father died a number of years ago at the age of seventy-six years, but his wife survived until October 4, 1907, when she passed away in the seventy-ninth year of her age. They had a family of ten children: Joseph, deceased; George, who is living in Independence, Iowa; Richard and Robert, of Greenfield township; Edward, living in Rome township; Amanda; Alice, deceased; Mrs. Emma Kendall, who lives in Mechanicsville, and two who died when very young.
Richard S. Russell was but seven years old when his parents removed to Linn county and when, six months later, they came to Greenfield township, Jones county. Here he grew to maturity, assisting his father and older brothers in the work of the farm from the time that he was able to handle the implements of agriculture. He received a fair education in the schools of the township and in his home learned those lessons of life that are indispensable if a man is to succeed in honest endeavor. Through his own efforts he was able to purchase one hundred and seventy acres of good arable land in this county, and also to buy ten acres of timber in Cedar county. The Greenfield township farm is modern in every way, in the well tilled fields and in the substantial buildings evincing the skill of a man industrious and progressive. The house is deserving of especial mention, it is large, well built and equipped with all the conveniences that make for the comfort of life.
On the 29th of April, 1888, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Russell and Miss Dora Grimm, a daughter of Daniel and Mollie (Reisland) Grimm, the latter, deceased. Mr. Grimm, however, is living in North English, Iowa, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. They were the parents of a large family: Dora, who is now Mrs. Russell; William Henry, who lives in Oklahoma; Mrs. Ida Adams, who lives in Kansas; John A., of Garrison, Iowa; Mrs. Mollie Maria Fisher, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Daniel L., of Benton county, Iowa; Mrs. Oma C. Holderness, a resident of Deep River, Iowa; Charles E., of Benton county, Iowa; Lewis A., a resident of Benton, Iowa; and Hattie J., deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Russell have been born four children, all of whom live at home; Vesta who was twenty on November 25, 1909; Clella, who was sixteen in the same month; Perry, who was fourteen July 10, 1909; and Verda, who was eight on the eighth of November, 1909.
The family are members of the Evangelical church of White Oak, while Mr. Russell affiliates with the democratic party politically. His success in his undertakings as much as his public spirit have recommended him to the voters of Greenfield township, who three years ago elected him one of the trustees. His administration has been marked by the same characteristics of honesty and progress which have been noticeable in his own private life.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 578. |
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