JOY RANDOLPH RUSSELL

RUSSELL, HEPLER, HADLEY, DIDDY

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 8/19/2004 at 13:42:40

Actively identified with farming interests in Adair county is Joy Randolph Russell, one of the native sons of Eureka township, born May 5, 1887. His parents were George R. and Maggie J. (Hepler) Russell. In the paternal line he comes of English and Welsh descent and in the maternal life of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. His father was born in Indiana, while his mother was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. In his boyhood days George R. Russell removed westward with the family, arriving in Van Buren county, Iowa, on the 2d of May, 1858. Later the family came to Adair county, taking up their abode in Eureka township in 1879, and George R. Russell, in connection with his brother, William A., purchased land on section 16. With characteristic energy he began the development of the place and as the years passed continued in the work of the farm until his life’s labors were ended by death in 1899. The mother afterward removed with her children to Oregon, and it was in Aurora, that state, that she passed away in 1907.
Joy R. Russell was but a child when he went with his mother to the northwest. He attended school in Oregon and grew to manhood there, but in the year 1907 he returned to Adair county, Iowa, and purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which he now lives. In 1910 he removed to this place and thereon has since lived, his chief interests being general farming and stock-raising. He keeps on hand good grades of cattle and hogs but feeds hogs only. He gives his undivided attention to his business and his work, intelligently directed, has been the means of securing for him a gratifying measure of success.
On the 24th of June, 1909, Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Pearl E. Hadley, a daughter of A. M. and Cliste (Diddy) Hadley. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have three children: Ruby A., born February 24, 1911; Fae Iona, August 22, 1912; and George Albert, March 14, 1914. They also lost a daughter, their first born, Blanche C., when she was but two months old.
Mrs. Russell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is living a consistent Christian life. Mr. Russell votes with the democratic party an recognizes and meets his obligations of citizenship but does not feel it incumbent upon him to seek or fill public office. He gives earnest support to well formulated plans for the public good and in the conduct of his business affairs shows that the principles which govern his course measure up to high standards of manhood.
Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.