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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
J. M. RUSSELL, farmer and stock-grower, resides on section 36, Cedar Township. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1839, and is a son of James and Ruth (Harrison) Russell. The former was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and the latter in Uniontown, Fayette County, the same State. He was a blacksmith by trade when a young man, but in after years followed farming until his death, in 1845, in Wayne County, Ohio. His wife died in Fulton County, Ind., in 1852. They were the parents of eleven children-Frederick, T. J., Mary A., J. H., Sophia, Franklin, Sarah J., J. M. and G. W. (twins), E. Y., and E. F., who served in Co. D, 11th Ill. Vol. Cav., and died at Vickshurg, Miss. The subject of this sketch, J. M. Russell, at the death of his mother, was a lad of fourteen years, and from that time on made his way alone in the world, most of the time among strangers, working in the summer months and going to school in the winter. During three years of his single life he made his home with a brother. In January, 1861, Mr. Russell was married to Rosa Coburn, born May 28, 1838, in Madison County, Ind. She is a daughter of William and Rachel (Ellsworth) Coburn, both natives of Ohio. William Coburn was a soldier in the late War for the Union, and belonged to the 2d Illinois Battery, organized at Peoria, Ill. He died in the service, and was taken care of by the fraternity of Odd Fellows. His father, Samuel Coburn, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have become the parents of twelve children: Ora B., Rose E., William S., George M., Rachel B., Elijah F., Sophia P. and Jason A. are living. Those deceased are Georgia, Clara L., Luella and Daniel L. Mr. Russell enlisted in the late war, Aug. 8, 1862, in Co. K, 86th Ill. Vol. Inf., Capt. John F. French, and served six months, and was then mustered out because of disability. His twin brother and E. Y. and E. F. also enlisted, the latter dying in the service. Socially Mr. Russell is a member of the G. A. R.; politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns 200 acres of land, all in a high state of cultivation, with a fine frame dwelling, commodious and well-arranged barn, and other improvements; in fact, everything about the place is first class. The personal character of Mr. Russell is beyond reproach. He is a conscientious Christian gentleman, practicing the spirit of the Golden Rule in all the affairs of life, and is greatly esteemed by friends and neighbors.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy