From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 679, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel

Mr. Russell was born in Kettlebridge, county of Fife, Scotland in 1821. He attended the common schools till he was 12 years old, after which time the only educational advantages were derived from casual attendence at the evening schools. He was an ardent lover of freedom and free institutions, and accordingly was an active participant in the Liberalist movement though yet a youth. When this movement failed he emigrated to America, arriving at New York at about the time he was nineteen years old. He went directly to Pittsburg, where he landed with $14. He secured employment at once at his trade as a stone cutter, and worked upon the water works for the ensuing year, at the end of which time he had save $100. Hw next went to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he engaged in merchandising in a small way, and remained there ten years. In 1852 he came to Iowa and purchased the farm in Jones county where he still resides. Always an advocate of civil and religious liberty from his earliest youth, he was one of the founders and organizers of the Republican party, heading the movement in Jones county which resulted in the election of the Hon. W.W. Holmes to the House by only eleven majority. He had several local offices in the county, and was elected member of the house in 1862, and has been returned every subsequent session. In 1868 he was choosen Speaker, and served in that resposible and difficult position, giving the highest satisfaction to the members.

From Iowa Homestead and Western Farm Journal, 4 February 1870, page 5, and submitted by Steve Hanken

HON. JOHN RUSSELL; P.O. Onslow; Senator-elect of the Twenty-third Senatorial District, comprising the counties of Jones and Cedar, Iowa; is a resident of Clay Township, Jones Co., and was born October 8, 1821, in Fifeshire, Scotland; he is the son of Robert Russell and Mary Williams, both natives of Fifeshire, Scotland; his father was a contractor and stone-mason; he was a stanch Presbyterian, a man of original thought and scientific research—a valued citizen. His mother was possessed of sterling qualities and great force of character; both have long since gone to the Promised Land. The generations of Russells for five centuries have found their last resting-places in "God's Acre," at Fifeshire. The subject of this sketch, who is one of the four sons of Robert, came to America and landed at New York May 29, 1842, and immediately proceeded to Pittsburgh, Penn.. where he had an uncle; he remained at Pittsburgh about a year, working at his trade of stonemason on the new water-works, then being built. In 1843, he removed to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where, with his own capital and some friendly aid, he went into mercantile business and there continued till 1852. On the 29th of November, 1849, he was married to Miss Margaret Feehan, a native of Columbiana Co., Ohio. In 1852, in pursuance of a long-cherished plan, he and his family came West and located on his present farm, in Clay Township, Jones Co., Iowa. They have four children, three sons and a daughter—Robert W., born December 16, 1850; John F., born August 12, 1852; David W., born May 14, 1855, and Lizzie, born on the 12th of February, 1857. Robert W. was married to Julia Shunk in December, 1876, and resides at Des Moines, Iowa. where he is in charge of the Insurance Department in the office of the State Auditor. John F. is in business in Des Moines; the other two children are at home. Mr. Russell has a farm of 200 acres in one of the most fertile sections of the State. In early life, he was a Democrat, but has always been Anti-Slavery in sentiment; in 1854, he was efficient in organizing public sentiment in opposition to the encroachments of slavery, as embodied in the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. He has held most of the offices within the gift of his fellow-townsmen. In 1861, he was elected a member of the General Assembly, and was re-elected four successive times, being the one man in this State who ever served five consecutive terms in the General Assembly. He was Speaker of the House in 1868, and, by the impartial discharge of his duties, won respect of both parties and became favorably known throughout the State. In 1870, he was elected State Auditor of Iowa, and was re-elected in 1872. At the expiration of his second term as Auditor, in January, 1875, he returned to his farm, and for nearly five years has followed the quiet walks of private citizenship. In October, 1879, he was elected to the State Senate from the district comprising his own and Cedar Counties, and will enter upon his official duties in January. 1880. Early environment and the laws of heredity proclaim him a thoroughbred Scotch Presbyterian nevertheless, he is not a member of any church organization nor of any secret society"—belongs to nobody but the Republican party." He is a "Stalwart of the Stalwarts"—Zach Chandler and Ben Wade being his models of patriotic statesmanship. As a public man, his strength does not lie in oratory, nor in literary display nor in caucus manipulation, but he is popular with the people because of his strict integrity, practical judgment and sound common sense; personally plain but affable, unassuming but reliable, he has been crowned by the people with official honors and the proud title of "HONEST JOHN."

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 704.

On the 29th of September, 1880, at Des Moines, Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn M. Chapman, a daughter of Philo Judson and Florence (Taylor) Chapman. Mr. Chapman was a soldier of the Civil war and died in Andersonville prison. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Russell has been blessed with two sons and a daughter. Lester Wright, the eldest, is a veterinary surgeon, engaged in the practice of his profession in Anamosa, where he has a hospital in connection with his father's business. Hoyt Chapman resides at Wilson, Arkansas, where he is employed as manager for the American Cooperage Company. Florence Margaret, the youngest, is at home. Mr. Russell's political allegiance is given to the republican party which he has staunchly supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but he has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs which, carefully directed, have brought to him the success which he is now enjoying.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 489.

Robert H. Russell was but three years old when his parents came to Iowa, and he grew to manhood on the home farm in Greenfield township, which has been the scene of his endeavors up to the present. It embraces three hundred and three acres of excellent land, on which Mr. Russell has made a number of important improvements since it has come into his hands. The buildings are of modern construction, and the fields are tilled in accordance with the most approved scientific methods. Through a careful study of the soil and of the subject of the rotation of the crops, he has been able to prolong and increase the measure of its fertility.

On the 28th of September 1890, Mr. Russell wedded Miss Minnie F. Miller, a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Grauel.) Miller. Her father was married twice, and by his first wife, who was Miss Rebecca Grauel, he had ten children, six daughters and four sons. Mrs. Mary K. Sawyer, of Greenfield township;

W. H., also of Greenfield; a son who died in infancy; Mrs. Susannah Manly, who lives in Sac county, Iowa: Mrs. Ella Justice, a resident of Shelby county; Mrs. Addie Kohl, of Greenfield township; Mrs. Minnie F. Russell, the wife of our subject; a son who died in infancy; Jennie May, who died at the age of five years; and a son who did not survive infancy. Mrs. Miller died in 1873, at the age of forty years, and when Mr. Miller married the second time, his wife was Miss Sarah McConaughy, a daughter of John and Jane (Duncan) McConaughy, both natives of the Buckeye state. Of this second union there were six children born: Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Charles Clinton, of Greenfield township; Mrs. Alice Ann Melton, of Cedar county; Clancy, of Marion, Iowa; 1. Clifford, of Morley, Iowa; and Dony Forrest, who died at the age of fourteen. The mother of these children passed away September i6, 1887, at the age of forty-two, but Mr. Miller survived almost ten years, his death having occurred February 27, 1897, when he was in the seventy-third year of his age.

Mr. and Mrs. Russell's union has been blessed with three children: the daughter died in infancy; Harlan R. was born November 5, 1897; and Willard H., was born October 8, 1901. Reared in the faith of the United Brethren church, they have ordered their lives in accordance with its teachings and are educating their children to be good Christian men. In his political views Mr. Russell is a democrat, and while hot an office seeker has served as a member of the school board in which he holds the position of secretary. He has shown further interest in the welfare of the community by assisting as one of the board of directors in guiding the fortunes of the Citizens Savings Bank of Olin in a safe financial channel. He is a member of Patmos Lodge, No. 155, A.F.&A.M., of Mechanicsville, and with Mrs. Russell belongs to No. 98, Modern Brotherhood of America, at Morley.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 614.

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.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 578.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 679, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel