Charles RUSSELL, one of the oldest settlers in Ringgold County, is now living retired in Goshen, Iowa, his farm of eighty-seven acres on section 17, Jefferson Township, being carried on by tenants. He is a native of London, England, born July 16, 1826, a son of Thomas and Charlotte RUSSELL. In March, 1849, he came to America, sailing from Liverpool and landing at New Orleans the following month. He proceeded from New Orleans to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there to Miami County, where he lived about five years. In 1854 he came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Ringgold County, and has since been identified with all the enterprises of interest of benefit to the county.

After the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in defense of his adopted country, and was assigned to Company G, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry. He served three years, participating in several severe engagements, among others being the battles at Mobile, and Little Rock. He was mustered out at New Orleans, and after his return home again engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Mr. RUSSELL was married in Iowa, to Mary KASTEEL (sic), of Ohio, who was born in Clarke County, of that State, January 15, 1812, a daughter of Joab and Carry HARKESTER. To them was born but one child, a daughter - Martha, born January 11, 1852. She married John BLAKESTEY, and January 12, 1873, died leaving an infant daughter - Eva, who was born January 6, 1873, and has always had her home with her granparents.

The family of Mary CASTEEL, consisting of one daughter and three sons, settled on section 17 of Poweshiek County, Iowa, as early as 1848, coming from Keokuk county. Mrs. CASTEEL was a widow, and during her residence [in Poweshiek County] married a young man, Charles RUSSELL. After their marriage they purchased eighty acres of school land on which they settled. Here they resided until 1854 and then emigrated to Ringgold county. It is understood that these CASTEELS were near relatives of the Andrew CASTEEL and wife who were murdered a few miles west of Montezuma in 1856.

NOTE: Charles A. RUSSEL died at the age of 71 years, 3 months on October 17, 1897. Mary (CASTEEL) RUSSELL died at the age of 82 years, 10 months and 21 days on December 6, 1894. Charles and Mary were interred at Union Cemetery, Diagonal, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 300, 1887.

PARKER, Leonard Fletcher. History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement Vol. I, p. 278. S.J. Clarke Publ. Chicago. 1911.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009; updated May of 2010

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