Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 451
HON.J. J. RUSSELL, Postmaster at Muscatine, Iowa, and a leading attorney at that city, is a native of New. York, and was born at Sag Harbor, on Long Island, Jan. 26, 1854, and is a son of John and Ann ( Boyle ) Russell. When he was but three years old his parents removed to Muscatine, Iowa, where he attended the city schools until 1865, when the family removed to a farm in the township of Wilton, Muscatine County. The youth and early manhood of our subject were passed on the farm, he being employed at farm labor during the summer season, and attending the country schools in the winter time. Not satisfied with this limited education, he pursued his studies out of school during his leisure time, and in 1872 entered upon a course of study at Wilton Collegiate Institute. After two years spent at Wilton in close and successful study, he engaged in teaching school, in which occupation he was employed during three school terms. Having by his own unaided efforts and industrious study acquired a fair collegiate education, he chose the law as a profession, and became a student of the law department of the State University at Iowa City, from which he was graduated with honors in the class of ' 78. He entered upon the practice of his profession at Muscatine, under the firm name of Richman, Burke & Russell. Possessed of that essential element of success, the habit of applying himself with energy to whatever was the duty of the hour, supported by good ability and studious habits, Mr. Russell rapidly rose in his profession until he acquired a prominent place at the bar. He was four times elected City Attorney, and discahrged the duties of the office with ability and fidelity. By instinct and education he was a thorough Democrat, and being gifted with oratorical powers of a high order, he soon became prominent in campaign work. The elections in Muscatine County had invariably returned Republican Representatives to the Legislature for many successive years, but some sanguine Democrats were hopeful of reversing that order of things, and of sending a Democrat to the General Assembly. By common consent young Russell was chosen to lead the forlorn hope. He accepted the nomination, and went into the fight to win. The Republicans, appreciating the fact that they had a popular and able man to oppose, nominated as Mr. Russell's opponent a gentleman of age and experience, the Hon. R. M. Burnett, whose former successes in the political field gave him prestige with the people. The election was hotly and ably contested. The Republican nominee having issued a challlenge to his young opponent to a joint debate, fifteen joint discussions were held between the opposing candidates. Mr. Russell displayed rare ability, courage and manliness during these discussions that won him the respect and esteem of the fair-minded Republicans, and he came out of the fight, a victor. He entered the Legislature in January, 1884, for the term of 1884 and 1885, the youngest man, with one exception, in that body, being under thirty years of age. He was assigned to the following standing committees: Judiciary ; Private Corporations and Judicial Districts, on which he worked with his customary energy and ability, and was recognized as a useful and able member.

The following extract we quote from the Iowa Review, an independent political journal of Des Moines. In closing a biographical sketch of Mr. Russell, it says: " Always a close student, as well as a logical and eloquent speaker, he has won high honors on the floor of the House, and has taken a leading position in the discussion of all questions of importance coming up for discussion and action. Courteous and gentlemanly toward all, though never hesitating in discharging his whole duty, however disagreeable this at times may be, he has added to the number of his friends and to the reputation which had preceeded his appearance in the Legislature. Making an excellent start in public life, the friends who know him have no fears for his future career. He has the native strength and rapidly increasing knowledge to sustain himself with honor in any position the future may have in store for him." Mr. Russell resigned the office of City Attorney to accept the appointment of Postmaster of Muscatine, on the 1st of April, 1886, which appointment was tendered him by President Cleveland. At the same time he retired from the law firm of Richman, Burke & Russell, since which time he has carried on the practice of his profession alone with marked success.

January 12, 1876, at Muscatine, Mr. Russell was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Kane, a native of Philadelphia, Pa. Five children have been born to them, four sons and a daughter --John, James, Edward, William J, and Nellie, all born at Muscatine. Mr. Russell has taken an active part in political matters for many years. He has served as Chairman of the Muscatine County Democratic Committee three years, and has been a member of the Democratic Congressional Commmittee of his district for four years. His legal business is rapidly increasing in volume and importance, and his reputation as a lawyer has been built on a safe foundation of ability, close application and unswerving integrity. His administration of the post-office has been efficient, and he has exercised good judgment in the employment of a competent, faithful and courteous corps of assistants.

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