John RUSSELL, born 15 Feb 1809

RUSSELL, WRIGHT, FERGUSON, HARRIS, HODGES

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/25/2011 at 00:31:58

1883 History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo Counties, Iowa

JOHN RUSSELL

John RUSSELL has been a resident of Iowa since 1853. In that year he came to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, to enter land, and in 1855 moved his family, settling in Lime Creek township. He came to this county in company with David and Edward WRIGHT. He built a log cabin in which his household resided a few years. It had a shed roof and no floor, and the fire place extended across one end of the building.

In common with pioneer testimony, both Mr. and Mrs. RUSSELL say they never experienced happier days than there, when everybody tried to make the best of everything. The nearest trading post was Independence, 150 miles distant, a trip to which, made with an ox team, occupied two weeks, and the family left behind were in a region infested with Indians.

Mr. RUSSELL walked to Des Moines to enter his land, carrying with him $4,000 to enter land for other parties. The houses on the route were few and far between, and Mr. RUSSELL had several times to sleep in the brushwood.

He was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Feb. 15, 1809. His father, John RUSSELL, was a native of Scotland and emigrated to America early in life, with his parents. The grandfather of Mr. RUSSELL was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died at the age of 104 years. His father was a pioneer of Ohio, and he received his first rudimentary education in a log school house in the Buckeye State, which building was lighted through an aperture cut in the logs and shaded by greased paper. Slabs were used for floor and seats.

Mr. RUSSELL was married in 1831 to Matilda FERGUSON. Her father was a native of England and her mother of Pennsylvania. Mrs. RUSSELL was born in Ohio. She became the mother of ten children. Four of her sons were soldiers for the Union, and two gave their lives defending their flag. Following is the list - McCollum, of Polk Co., Oregon; Harrison P., Jacob, Joseph A., deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; William, died near Vicksburg; Emily, wife of Dr. HARRIS; Sarah O., Mrs. Thomas HODGES, and Samantha.

SOURCE: History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo Counties, Iowa. p. 895. Union Publishing Co. Springfield IL. 1883.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2011