Russell R. Farrell, b. 3 Aug 1860

WHITELEY

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 3/18/2004 at 08:12:40

Russell R. Farrell, Attorney at Law, of Bellevue, Iowa, is a native of this county, having been born Aug. 3, 1860. He is a son of Patrick and Elizabeth Farrell, residents of Bellevue Township. His father is a native of County Kildare, Ireland, and his mother of Pennsylvania. Patrick Farrell is one of the earliest settlers of Bellevue Township, and is said to have come here some time in the forties.

Our subject has been reared to manhood in this county, where he received his preliminary education in the public schools. When twenty years of age he began to attend the Valparaiso Normal School, at Valparaiso, Ind., and took the four years' classical course, being graduated in 1883. When sixteen years old he began teaching in the district school, and taught about three years.

In 1883 Mr. Farrell began the study of law in Bellevue with D.A. Wynkoop, now of Maquoketa, with whom he studied about four years, and with whom he was connected in his office. He was admitted to the bar June 26, 1884, and began business for himself in 1886, and has been in practice since that time. He has served two terms as Justice of the Peace, which office he filled satisfactorily.

Our subject was united in marriage, Feb. 16, 1887, with Ida M. Whiteley, of West Covington, Ky. To them was given one child, Russell G., born July 13, 1888. Mr. Farrell is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the A.F. & A.M. Lodge at Bellevue, and is at the present writing, Secretary of that lodge. He is also a member of the K. of P., and is meeting with success in every line undertaken by him.

Patrick Farrell, the father of our subject, took up 160 acres of Government land in Bellevue Township, and settled on it while it was yet without improvements. He has added to this until he now has 280 acres of valuable land. He met with and overcame the usual hardships in getting a start in the western country, and is one of the oldest pioneers of the county. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and has always led in any attempt to promote the welfare of the township and society. He is a rising young lawyer, and has before him a bright future.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)