George B. Russell

RUSSELL, CRAWFORD, HUTCHINSON, NASH

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 5/13/2009 at 16:03:44

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 798-799

GEORGE B. RUSSELL, a prominent
business man of Audubon, of the firm
of G. B. Russell & Sons, dealers in
dry goods, boots and shoes, and gentlemen's
furnishing goods, is a native of Scotland. He
was born February 16, 1833, and when live
years of age his parents emigrated to Amer-
ica, landing in New York City, where they
remained until George was twelve years old;
they then removed to Portland, Dodge
County, Wisconsin. Charles Russell, the
father, a farmer by occupation, has retired,
and is now living in Stoughton, Wisconsin,
at the advanced age of eighty-five years.
His mother, Ellen Crawford Russell, was
a native of Scotland. Charles Russell
and wife were the parents of three chil-
dren - James Russell, of the State of
Georgia, one son deceased, and George B.
Russell, the subject of this notice. He re-
ceived the greater part of his education in
New York, for on going to Wisconsin his
school days had ended in a measure. At that
time Indians were numerous, and the sight of
them was as common as the sight of the
whites. Young Russell remained on the
farm with his parents until reaching his
nineteenth year, when he went to the State
of Georgia, where he remained two years, en-
gaged in the bricklayer's trade. On his re-
turn to Wisconsin he was occupied with farm-
ing, and then with clerking in a store. In
1872 he removed to Exira, where he opened
a stock of general merchandise, at the same
time continuing his farming interests. By
honest dealing and close application to busi-
ness he built up a large and prosperous mer-
cantile trade. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Rus-
sell started a store in Audubon, which was
managed by his oldest son, Charles Russell,
he himself continuing the management of
the business in Exira. In 1880 Mr. Bus-
sell's family removed to Audubon, and he
afterward closed the business at Exira, and
concentrated all his capital in Audubon,
where he has since resided. In 1888 he re-
moved his old store building, a frame struct-
tire, 24 x 80 feet, and erected a fine three-
story brick on the same lot. The size of the
present store is 30 x 100 feet. The first floor
is occupied by a stock of goods, the second-
story is fitted up in offices, and the balance
of the building is finished for an opera house,
which is well supplied with attractive scen-
ery and all the equipments of a first-class
opera house. It has a seating capacity of
600, and is an enterprise for which Mr.
Russell deserves great credit. In 1857 Mr.
Russell was united in marriage to Miss Jane
Hutchinson, of Lowell, Dodge County, Wis-
consin, who is a native of the State of New
York, and a daughter of Henry and Gertrude
Hutchinson. The father died in New York,
and after his death the mother and family
removed to Wisconsin. Mrs. Russell is a
person of unusual domestic qualities, and is
perfectly at home amid her household duties.
Mr. and Mrs. Russell have four children --
Agnes R., Charles, a member of the firm of
G. B. Russell & Son; Gertrude C., the wife
of John A. Nash, and James F., also a mem-
ber of the firm. Mr. Russell commenced at
the bottom of the ladder, but has not re-
mained there. He owns several good farms
in Audubon County, which he rents, and he
has a neat, substantial residence, tastefully
finished and furnished, in politics he takes
an active part, voting for the man whom he
thinks best fitted for the office. While he is
not a member of any church he is a strong
advocate of temperance in all things. He is
public spirited, and ever stands ready and
willing to assist in any work tending to the
good of the community.