Biography of John A. Russell, Saline Co, AR

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Submitted by: Leon Rowland Moore <moorelrm@swbell.net>
        Date: 5 Nov 2002
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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Source: Goodspeed's History of Saline County

McNeelan Lumber Company, one of the best paying industries in Saline County, is
managed by enterprising men, a secret of the large patronage accorded them.
They are large manufacturers of yellow pine and oak lumber, and make a
specialty of railroad timber. This business was first established in 1886 by C.
H. McNeelan, his father, and John D. McNeelan, a brother, but in 1888 the
latter retired from the firm, and Mr. John A Russell was taken in partnership.
The company are by far the strongest and most extensive dealers and
manufacturers of lumber in the county, being located on the St. Louis, Iron
Mountain and Southern Railroad, about twenty miles southwest of Little Rock,
where they own some 2, 240 acres of the finest timber land in Arkansas, as well
as many acres of timber in other sections. The senior member, John D. McNeelan,
was born in Pennsylvania and reared in the State, but later on moved to Ohio,
where he was married to Miss Savannah A. Extine, also of Pennsylvania
nativity, born in 1826. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Jennings
County, Ind., Where Mr. McNeelan was for many years a prominent lumber dealer.
He lost his wife in September, 1876, but after her death continued to reside in
Indiana until the year 1886, when he came to Saline County. He is a
representative businessman, a prominent and leading figure in commercial
circles, and one of the most popular citizens of Saline County. He is a son of
George W. McNeelan, originally from Ireland, who came to the United States when
only five years of age, and first settled in Pennsylvania, but spent the latter
days of his life in Ohio. Mrs. John D. McNeelan's father, David Extine, was of
German origin, and a tailor by trade. He was born in Pennsylvania, where he
followed his calling for some years, later adopting the occupation of an
auctioneer, which he carried on with great success in his native State and
Ohio. Six sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. John D. MCNeelan, of
whom C.H. was the third. He was educated at the public and graded schools of
Hopewell, Ind., and after completing his studies entered at once in the lumber
business, in which he has continued ever since. He at fist remained with his
father, but later established a business on his own responsibility in Indiana,
which he carried on with success until coming to Saline County, Ark., in 1886.
In 1881 he was married to Anna M., Daughter of James and Elizabeth Wilson, of
Ohio, where Mr. Wilson resided all his life. Mrs. Wilson afterward removed to
Indiana, but is now residing with her daughter, Mrs. C. H. McNeelan. The latter
was born in Salem, Ohio, and by her marriage became the mother of four
children, of whom three are yet living. In Politics Mr. C. H. McNeelan is a
stanch Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Grant in 1872. He
is a shrewd financier, a representative businessman, and one of the best posted
men on lumber affairs in Arkansas. The junior member of the firm, John A.
Russell, was born in Saline County in 1863, and is a son of Hon. Alexander
Russell, of whom a biographical sketch is found elsewhere in this volume. John
A. was reared on a farm, and educated at the public schools of his native
State, and after acquiring a thorough knowledge of the English branches, taught
school himself for a number of years. In 1885 he and his father established and
operated the Siddell Mill, which was afterward purchased by this company, for
whom Mr. Russell then acted as book-keeper until the year 1888, when he was
taken in as a partner. He is now actively interested in the management of the
business, and has charge of the company's store, besides acting as Postmaster
for the town of Siddell. Mr. Russell was first married in 1885 to Miss Anna
Cameron, of Mississippi, who died December 25, 1885, and in June, 1888, he was
united in marriage to Miss Jennie McFadden, of Clark County. In politics he is
a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Cleveland in 1884. He is a
young man of pluck, enterprise and the proper business spirit, and promises
some day to be a leader in the commercial circles of Saline County.