William Russell

RUSSELL, PENNINGTON, WILSON, PRICE, COWGER

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/6/2001 at 09:09:26

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
WILLIAM RUSSELL
William Russell deceased, is ranked among the pioneers of Van Buren County, Iowa. He made a location in Des Moines Township in 1844, during Territorial days, and subsequently was a resident of Jackson Township. He was born in New Jersey in 1790, and on attaining to years of maturity was united in marriage in Kent County Delaware, in 1834 to Mrs. Ann Pennington, widow of Benjamin Pennington, and formerly a Miss Wilson. She was a native of Delaware, and by her previous marriage became the mother of one daughter and one son—Sarah Ann, who wedded James Price and died in 1876; George, who is a Justice of the Peace and leading citizen of Milton Iowa; and Benjamin who married Elizabeth Cowger, and is a harness-maker of Milton.
In 1835 Mr. Russell removed with his family to Indiana, and nine years later, in 1844, crossed the Mississippi into the Territory of Iowa. He made a location in Des Moines Township, Van Buren County, then a wild and sparsely settled region. He embarked in farming, but subsequently removed to Jackson Township, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1849. He was a member of the Methodist Church and a Democrat in politics. His wife survived him many years, dying in April 1879.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.